(Untitled)

[kateorman]

ETA: Just found the latest news on this: Evolution wins a round in Texas education debate (23 January): "Board members voted eight-to-seven last night to drop controversial language in the state's curriculum that requires science teachers to discuss the “strengths and weaknesses” of scientific theories."

In Texas, a Line in the Curriculum Revives

Comments

[iblis_kukl]

Creationists continue to agitate against the teaching of evolution in public schools, adapting their tactics to match the roadblocks they encounter.

Ironic, no?

that's the way to the zoo

[outsdr]

I wonder if they just see it as miraculous?

[iblis_kukl]

I couldn't say, but where's Josiah Samuel Smith when we really need him?

eliazar

[hiraethin]

I was really happy to see that the creationist faction on the Texas State Board of Education was defeated in their anti-evolutionist initiative. Less so that there *is* a creationist faction on the Texas State Board of Education, but the world is what it is, not what we would have it be.

Scientific American is right. The price of an enduring fact-based educational curriculum, it would seem, is eternal vigilance.

[nyssa_p]

Have you seen the movie/doco Expelled? Unless it's been taken off, it's all on Youtube. This is the official site: http://www.expelledthemovie.com/

It's about the fight for academic freedom and how leading scientists who believe in creationism are kicked out of their jobs for their theories.

And someone relates Darwinism to believing in aliens...can't quite remember their 'reasoning' for that one.

Still, it was interesting to see.

[drhoz]

the producers inteviewed Dawkins and PZ Myers etc claiming they were producing a doco called Crossroads - the intersection of faith and science.

They lied.

And using the Auschwitz footage ( "Evolution = Nazis!" ) was just beyond the pale.

[nyssa_p]

REALLY?! Bastards

I'm not sure whether to laugh or cry about the Nazi footage. I've never seen Dawkins or anyone use Nazi footage to explain creationism.

And apparently Attenborough has done a documentary on evolution which will be aired in the UK soon, and he's getting hate mail already for it, and for never mentioning God in any of his other documentaries! Seriously, do these people have nothing better to do and no love for their neighbour that they would tell him to burn in hell? Jerk-faces.

[ajponder]

It's crazy that politicians decide what should be taught in science. It's not social studies, it's shouldn't be mere opinions, and while perhaps we should be grateful for creationists pointing out that there are still tiny gaps in our knowledge and understanding of evolution (especially the understanding in the general public) it's pitiful compared to wide open plains of complete unjustified speculation of "intelligent" design. Truly if science teachers were to do what is stated in the legislation it would only make intelligent design into a laughing stock.

Have to admit I did laugh when I saw Sci Am's statement "fact based educational system." not here. although I guess Aussie's ed curriculum is pretty pedgogically sound America's is more patchy -- so perhaps the price of a robust and sensible education is indeed eternal vigilence.

Vigilante away, although I have to warn you the biggest impediment to scientific literacy is almost certainly not creationism, but -- "don't give a damn."

[hnpcc]

Not entirely related to evolution, but I thought you'd be interested in this case if you haven't seen it already:

Woman Says Anti-Abortion Nurse Removed IUD Without Permission, Then Lectured Her.

Not often I find myself totally speechless, but this quote:

"Defendant Olona stated, 'Everyone in the office always laughs and tells me I pull these out on purpose because I am against them, but it's not true, they accidentally come out when I tug.'

will do it.

[kateorman]

Allow me to join you in speechlessness.

[nyssa_p]

WTF!?!

I'd sue too! Why are people so insistent on forcing their opinions on others, and to do it in such a personal way by actually removing it!