Burhan Riaz There are many reasons to follow the western scientific thought.

One can accurately make observations through the usual scientific method if they stay away from any biases. The author of Red Earth, White Lies, Deloria, makes a good point that there have been proven biases in the past. But these few examples cannot discredit the many observations and theories attributed to western science. Deloria argues that a few inaccuracies in evolution, for instance, discredit it completely and is a fabricated lie. Deloria blames the scientific community of not being willing to change their ideas and accept radical ideas. I think this is a false way of looking at how the scientific community works. Yes, there are some "top" scientists that are considered more credible than other scientists but when someone has a new testable idea, it is challenged by the community. This idea of challenging is not a proof that scientists are conservative in nature, but rather their willingness to see if an idea is infallible. This process allows for a way of regulating what is accepted in the scientific community. If something is discovered and its observation can be repeated, then it will eventually be widely accepted. Deloria immediately discounts any idea that a Beringia pathway could be plausible for humans. Unlike science, he does not support his disagreements with credible information. Deloria accuses scholars of not listening to the oral histories of non-white people but this is an essential component to modern anthropology. In the past there was some large-scale racism, but in today's politically-correct culture, it is important to get the viewpoints of every side. This doesn't mean a creationist story will be believed. It simply means that the oral tradition is well respected. Deloria uses quite a bit of generalization when describing scholars as being incompetent. His book, despite having some important points of previous racism in science, is

largely sensationalist in nature. He attacks western science without supporting his own with credible sources.