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Daylife/AP Photo by Matt Slocum
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| Proponents of an old-fashioned Texas-style education |
The latest round in a long-running battle over how evolution should be taught in Texas schools began in earnest Wednesday as the State Board of Education heard impassioned testimony from scientists and social conservatives on revising the science curriculum.
The debate here has far-reaching consequences; Texas is one of the nation’s biggest buyers of textbooks, and publishers are reluctant to produce different versions of the same material.
Many biologists and teachers said they feared that the board would force textbook publishers to include what skeptics see as weaknesses in Darwin’s theory to sow doubt about science and support the Biblical version of creation.
“These weaknesses that they bring forward are decades old, and they have been refuted many, many times over,” Kevin Fisher, a past president of the Science Teachers Association of Texas, said after testifying. “It’s an attempt to bring false weaknesses into the classroom in an attempt to get students to reject evolution.”
Even as federal courts have banned the teaching of creationism and intelligent design in biology courses, social conservatives have gained 7 of 15 seats on the Texas board in recent years, and they enjoy the strong support of Gov. Rick Perry, a Republican.
The chairman of the board, Dr. Don McLeroy, a dentist, pushed in 2003 for a more skeptical version of evolution to be presented in the state’s textbooks, but could not get a majority to vote with him. Dr. McLeroy has said he does not believe in Darwin’s theory and thinks that Earth’s appearance is a recent geologic event, thousands of years old, not 4.5 billion as scientists contend.
Business leaders, meanwhile, said Texas would have trouble attracting highly educated workers and their families if the state’s science programs were seen as a laughingstock among biologists.
Some might say that being a laughingstock in Texas – is not limited to biology.
I don’t think teach god creationism in science class is good. As far as pointing out inconsistencies in a theory goes, that’s proper science.
Sheesh. One step forward, now two steps back.
To think our local Christian Taliban recently decided that the earth is indeed (slightly) over 8,000 years old ! Now this 🙁
We were stuck on 6,000 years for years due a Santa Claus related miscalculation. But progress is progress
Why can’t they just get along? Evolution and the Bible can still go hand in hand. The bible says it took God seven days to create the universe, but it doesn’t mean “earth days” since the earth hasn’t been created. Evolution can be seens as an explanation on how God created the universe.
People who wants to force the word by word context of the Bible just doesn’t get how stupid it is to close the children’s mind on other explanations on how the world came to be. Faith and open minds are supposed to be hand in hand and not contrary to each other.
One proof for me that God “probably” exists: Space is infinite, and it is inconceivable to quantify infinity in a “real” concept as the vast amount of space out there. Mysticism/Superbeings are the only other explanation on how we can comprehend these incomprehensible concepts.
Why do creationists hate AMerica? Do they really want our kids to be stupid in the face of international science competition?
# 4 smartalix said, “Do they really want our kids to be stupid in the face of international science competition?”
Actually, before Darwin’s theory was accepted in US schools the US was the #1 country for scientific invention…
So, be actual evidence, one doesn’t equate to the other…
Instead of building a fence along the Mexico border, we should be building one along the Texas border! Cut them off and let them wallow in their ignorance.
I don’t mind if some people believe that the Earth is only a few thousand years old – or a recent geological event.
But if you want to teach a subject in school (any subject) aren’t you supposed to have more than just a belief? Aren’t you supposed to present some facts to support the curriculum?
If someone thinks they have some scientific evidence to back up their belief, then they should present it. If it’s just a theory, then it must be presented as a theory.
When evolution is taught (at least when I learned about it) it was presented as a theory. The reasons behind the theory were explained. It was shown why people believe the theory, and how understanding the theory helps with the understanding of biology.
If a creationist can come up with a curriculum that does the same thing – they can teach it. Otherwise it’s a very short class:
Teacher stands up, says “The world is only 4,000 years old. Class dismissed.”
#3 Mysticism/Superbeings are the only other explanation on how we can comprehend these incomprehensible concepts.
Before I ask…..I really don’t mind religious types as long as they don’t interfere with my government and my rights. (which they do).
Anyway.. why exactly do you feel that nature owes you an explanation?
#3 Creationists are not free thinkers, they don’t want theories, they want dogma. The bible or any other religous text is a symbolic text and literal interpretation of a symbolic text is just ignorant. Something symbolic is and should be open to interpretation, unfortunately this is very inconvenient to the sociual structures that our religions have become, and so to reaffirm their hold among those that they can sway the religions take to politics. Fear not, there will always be free thinkers, even religous ones, especially among young people. It’s foolish and in the words of the Encyclopedia Galactica ‘Mostly Harmless’.
Struck me as “odd” that the fundamentalist bible thumpers were called “skeptics” in the article. Gives them way to much credit I think.
#5–Paddy–never ending source of amusement. Constantly making points that defeat his own stated positions.
You see Paddy by not accepting Darwins Theory we have restricted our progress ever since then. See how your disagreement with smartyalix is hollow and inept?
#6 – I’ve been saying the same thing about California.
# 10 bobbo said, “You see Paddy by not accepting Darwins Theory we have restricted our progress ever since then.”
Yes, since 1838 the US hasn’t lead the world in scientific invention.
ROFL!
You should go into stand up.
I run into these people all over the place…the most recent was a guy who claims biology and evolution are in conflict. huh?
Anyway, this little gem has filled my head with info to make these losers run away from me screaming. http://tinyurl.com/6p3xwe
Link points to a Scientific American article which closes thusly:
<i<Time and again, science has shown that methodological naturalism can push back ignorance, finding increasingly detailed and informative answers to mysteries that once seemed impenetrable: the nature of light, the causes of disease, how the brain works. Evolution is doing the same with the riddle of how the living world took shape. Creationism, by any name, adds nothing of intellectual value to the effort.
Another angry liberal thread, and another epic fail for the left. You’re not heeding your leader’s call.
“Anyway.. why exactly do you feel that nature owes you an explanation?”
That is SCIENCE. Everything has to be explained including nature. Concepts like infinity, chaos, darkness, life and space are inexplicable. Of course science has explained SOME of the reasons why there is life, chaos, infinity, etc. But for others, it is still not enough.
We are a curious animal that we want to learn all that we can, but we have finite memories, life, and etc., that we cannot possible map out the whole of the universe, nor explain where it ends or if ends at all. Concepts like infinity is REAL, but incomprehensible to our limited perception.
Anything inexplicable, is only comprehensible with the concept of something beyond our reality or scientific theories.
This is where some religion might explain as to how science cannot explain.
#12–Paddy O Dumbshit==I said “restricted our progress.” We should be further along in many areas than we are==and without the help of foreign graduates.
You are a trip Paddy-OOooohhhh ! So silly.
What percentage of your posting is pure perverted humor?
# 16 bobbo said, “I said “restricted our progress.” We should be further along in many areas than we are”
Care to back that up with examples and proof, that it is connected to pre Scopes attitudes. Or, are you just trolling like you did earlier today when you lied about what I posted?
#17–Paddy==stem cell research, cloning, general scientific literacy of the population and so forth.
IQ Question: How Did I lie? At worst case, used poor sentence structure when including your antecedent.
Silly man.
#18 booboo the troll said, “stem cell research, cloning, general scientific literacy of the population and so forth.”
As I thought, no proof of linkage to anything.
Troll, troll, troll you boat…
Mythology Rules!
Texas in fact ranks 36 in science proficiency for the kiddies. Still, they only have a short way to fall to match Mississippi.
Whoa!==look at California. They must not be throwing away the Latino exams.
#15 Well, I was with you up until the end. I’m an electrical engineer so no need to sell me on the virtues of science.
However, we part ways when a variable to a science equation gets filled with “magic happens”.
Arguably, placeholder theories are fine but I can honestly say the religious community really goes over the top on that one. Again, not so much an issue with me if that explanation was for the purpose of explaining nature, but it’s taken into the realm of morality and control.
Anyway, appreciated your thoughts.
Wow! Hey, booboo the troll.
Texas children outperform the ultra secular schools in the states below:
Delaware
California
Hawaii
So, by your reasoning, teaching evolution impedes science achievement in children!
ROFL!
Do you still need a marriage license to purchase a dildo in Texas?
Neuf said.
As for “God”. I think farts, Hitler and Christmas tree sources house fires are enough to prove that “He” doesn’t exist. At least not in the Christian model. Now on some sick bastard sadistic model, I may be open to entertain arguments….
dear creationists,
quit acting like the gun control lobby. it’s really annoying.
seriously, if you want the bible taught in schools, repeal the first amendment and establish christianity as the official religion of the united so we tax your churches.
these so-called challenges to the theory of evolution are so transparent, its a wonder you can say them with a straight face.
grow a pair and say what you really mean.
Texas should secede from the union.
#23 “Texas children outperform the ultra secular schools”
No one really cares about rhythmic gymnastics.
# 27 QB said, “No one really cares about rhythmic gymnastics.”
Neither do I. It was performance in science.
LOL!
…those very same people who freak at the sight of a swastika (a spiritual and religious symbol from WAY back) are the ones sporting a man nailed to a fence post with a spear in his side as their symbol. (speaking of sick bastard sadistic models)
Anarchy and Chaos is the only true freedom.
Rock On!!
#3 – Space ISN’T infinite, and even if it were why would mystical being be the only (or the logical) explanation for it. Where did THEY come from??
Thats the problem of the religious nutballs always answering EVERY question with “God did it”, well if God did it, then who did him? Himself?