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Quote mining is a term used primarily by defenders of the theory of evolution to oppose the creationist practice of arguing by quotation.  Quote mining refers to several practices including taking a portion of a quotation out of context, presenting out-of-date material as current, removing an intervening passage from a quotation without an ellipsis, improper citation, or otherwise manipulating the text.  The effect of quote mining is to make it appear that the speaker is making a point contrary to his actual intent when the speaker may be employing rhetoric or explaining his opponents' arguments.

"Quote mining" is a term not recognized by the dictionary, and which is used primarily by defenders of the theory of evolution to oppose the creationist practice of arguing by quotation.<ref>The term "quote mining" shows up on only 34,500 Google pages as of May 14, 2007 (less than one-tenth the number of pages returned when "Conservapedia" is searched, by comparison). At least five out of the first six of those pages returned by Google for a search on "quote mining" were written by evolutionists.</ref> Quote mining refers to several practices including taking a portion of a quotation out of context, presenting out-of-date material as current, removing an intervening passage from a quotation without an ellipsis, improper citation, or otherwise manipulating the text.  The effect of quote mining is to make it appear that the speaker is making a point contrary to his actual intent when the speaker may be employing rhetoric or explaining his opponents' arguments.

Aside from the fact that quote mining in and of itself is a disingenuous practice, it also commits the logical fallacy of appeal to authority.  Even if the mined quote were factual, the opinion of a single individual, or group of individuals would not affect the actual validity of a scientific theory.  Theories are decided on their merit and correspondance to the evidence, not the opinions of "authorities."

Aside from the fact that quote mining in and of itself is a disingenuous practice, it also commits the logical fallacy of appeal to authority.  Even if the mined quote were factual, the opinion of a single individual, or group of individuals would not affect the actual validity of a scientific theory.  Theories are decided on their merit and correspondence to the evidence, not the opinions of "authorities."

==Examples==

==Examples==