Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Kevin Dorner · 08-21-2002, 07:55 PM

Update: <a href="http://www.accessatlanta.com/ajc/metro/0802/22evolution.html" target="_blank">Evolution takes stage in Cobb County; school board to address classroom alternatives</a>

Quote:

The school board is expected to discuss Thursday night whether teachers should be allowed to teach faith-based ideas along with evolution as explanation for the variety of life.

The board's tinkering with science instruction has already landed the district in federal court. The American Civil Liberties Union sued Wednesday to remove disclaimers on biological evolution stuck in thousands of middle and high school textbooks.

I missed that story about the disclaimers... I'll see if I can dig it up.

[ August 21, 2002: Message edited by: Kevin Dorner ]

RufusAtticus · 08-21-2002, 08:02 PM

There is an old thread about disclaimers around here.

Well, I talked with Wyatt Anderson today and he agreed that it would be a good idea for him to get involved with the Cobb County issue. (NCSE has been sending him more than a couple emails.)

But what does he know, he's only the foremost evolutionary geneticist in the state and the dean of the largest college at the flagship state university but not a Cobb County voter.

I really hope he gets involved.

~~RvFvS~~

Albion · 08-21-2002, 08:15 PM

Don't you just love this disclaimer?

"This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered."

Open mind! Just imagine what would happen if little Johnny took his "open mind" approach to Sunday School and tried it on creationism.

Kevin Dorner · 08-21-2002, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Albion:
Don't you just love this disclaimer?

I'd like to see:

"This textbook contains material on arithmetic. Arithmetic is a theory, not a fact, regarding calculations of real number quantities. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered."

"But... teacher? Can't two plus two be five for some values of two?!?!? You aren't very open minded! When arithmetic was invented... were you there? Can you show me arithmetic happening right now? No, don't show me some simulation on paper!"

[ August 21, 2002: Message edited by: Kevin Dorner ]

Jesus Tap-Dancin' Christ · 08-21-2002, 08:24 PM

Hell, that's good advice! Carefully studying, reading evolution with an open mind, and given to a bunch of creationists? Couldn't ask for better wording there! Critical thinking? That's what science is all about! Of course, the "only a theory, and not a fact" part is utter bullshit, since theory is as close to fact as you can get, but in Georgia...

RufusAtticus · 08-21-2002, 08:32 PM

...but in Georgia, we have one of the best programs for studying evolution but it doesn't interact with k-12 education. Maybe one day we will.

The Lone Ranger · 08-21-2002, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Camaban:

I mean, how does creation become Evolution just by adding a few gods?

Well, according to Henry Morris, religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism are based on evolution.

As Weird Al Yankovic has pointed out, some ideas are so ridiculous that they're impossible to satirize.

Cheers,

Michael

Albion · 08-21-2002, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Well, according to Henry Morris, religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism are based on evolution.

Well, see, they have to be. That way, all the theistic alternatives other than Christian creationism move into the Evolution column and you're left with evolution and Christian creation science as your two alternatives. That's his way of answering the potentially knotty question of "but which variety of creationism will you teach, there's hundreds of them?"

The Lone Ranger · 08-21-2002, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Albion:

Well, see, they have to be. That way, all the theistic alternatives other than Christian creationism move into the Evolution column and you're left with evolution and Christian creation science as your two alternatives. That's his way of answering the potentially knotty question of "but which variety of creationism will you teach, there's hundreds of them?"

Exactly.

One doesn't know whether to laugh or cry when confronting such a mindset.

Camaban · 08-21-2002, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Well, according to Henry Morris, religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism are based on evolution.

I would so, SO love to hear the reasoning given for this.

although, it might be so funny that it inures me to other things I used to find funny (So funny I might never laugh again)

Edited for Typo

[ August 21, 2002: Message edited by: Camaban ]

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08-21-2002, 08:02 PM	#32
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	There is an old thread about disclaimers around here. Well, I talked with Wyatt Anderson today and he agreed that it would be a good idea for him to get involved with the Cobb County issue. (NCSE has been sending him more than a couple emails.) But what does he know, he's only the foremost evolutionary geneticist in the state and the dean of the largest college at the flagship state university but not a Cobb County voter. I really hope he gets involved. ~~RvFvS~~

08-21-2002, 08:15 PM	#33
Albion Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: US east coast. And www.theroyalforums.com Posts: 2,829	Don't you just love this disclaimer? "This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered." Open mind! Just imagine what would happen if little Johnny took his "open mind" approach to Sunday School and tried it on creationism.

08-21-2002, 08:24 PM	#35
Jesus Tap-Dancin' Christ Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Heaven Posts: 6,980	Hell, that's good advice! Carefully studying, reading evolution with an open mind, and given to a bunch of creationists? Couldn't ask for better wording there! Critical thinking? That's what science is all about! Of course, the "only a theory, and not a fact" part is utter bullshit, since theory is as close to fact as you can get, but in Georgia...

08-21-2002, 08:32 PM	#36
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	...but in Georgia, we have one of the best programs for studying evolution but it doesn't interact with k-12 education. Maybe one day we will.

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