Freethought & Rationalism Archive

enrious · 09-04-2002, 03:11 PM

In Search of America� (part 2 of six) examines morality in the U.S. and focuses on one man's crusade to add creationism to a South Carolina school district's curriculum. Included: interviews with academics and school-board members. Peter Jennings reports.

RufusAtticus · 09-04-2002, 07:02 PM

Are you sure? The one I saw today dealt with a highschool play.

09-04-2002, 08:07 PM

According to the <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/America/etc/tv.html" target="_blank">ABC News page</a> the creationism episode will air on the 6th.

enrious · 09-04-2002, 10:02 PM

Stupid TV Guide.

09-06-2002, 10:21 PM

I just finished watching it a few moments ago. The program focused on the efforts of a creationist nut who's trying to get his creation myths taught in the public schools of Aiken, South Carolina. The good news is that the school board rejected his proposal in a 9-0 vote, but the bad news is that the fundies (led by the town's fundy mayor) are organizing to get creationists elected to the board in this fall's elections. You should have seen these people. They opposed evolution because they said that it was too scary and too disturbing to think that we "came from monkeys" as they put it. One man was almost in tears because he didn't want to think that he was related to "pond scum." They also built a "hell house" for kids that included the usual "believe in Jesus or burn" crap, and they even held a book burning.

But what was really disturbing, IMHO, was the fact that some Aiken public school students who put "I don't believe in evolution" on science tests were getting their answers marked as correct. I wonder if they would get marked correct if they wrote that they believe in a flat earth or if they oppose the idea that the earth orbits the sun.

The program also showed how segregated and poor Aiken is. The white fundies get all worked up about evolution and school prayer, but they don't seem to care that their black neighbors are living in poverty.

After seeing this program I know that I don't EVER want to visit South Carolina. What a toilet!

[ September 06, 2002: Message edited by: atheist_in_foxhole ]</p>

ex-idaho · 09-06-2002, 10:43 PM

I too watched this show tonight. I thought that overall ABC did a pretty good job of covering this town and its religious/cultural issues.

I was most concerned with the Mayors near obsession with the "character education" program created by some Xian oraganization whose name escapes me at the moment. I know of a number of cities that have signed on to this program, but none that I am aware of have devoted the energy and tax dollars to implementing it.

The Creationist that they featured seemed to be a text book geek. He seemed to have a very small but devoted group of followers. This is often the case. In many parts of America these small groups are taking over the local governments because those that disagree are to lazy to run for office themselves.

One other observation that I had. Did anyone else notice how many obese people were in attendance at the Fundy church?

09-06-2002, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Did anyone else notice how many obese people were in attendance at the Fundy church?

I sure did! I think that their hero Jesus would be disgusted with these fat slobs and their country club lifestyle.

Buffman · 09-06-2002, 11:42 PM

When the Mayor defended the need of his pet Character Program, I thought it was the perfect opportunity for Jennings to ask him why they needed any churches if they were using a "secular" program to instill moral character in the populace?

That creationist pastor works as a scientist at the nuclear weapons facility. Obviously he is concerned about the end days with this Born Again administration in power and with its finger on the Red button. I know I am.

Overall, I have to agree that ABC did a decent job given the location from which they chose to make their report. I was especially impressed with the Universalist pastor. As far as I am concerned, she practiced what all the others only preached.

Jesterhole · 09-07-2002, 03:50 PM

After seeing this program I know that I don't EVER want to visit South Carolina. What a toilet!>>>>

Now now...it might not be the most sophisticated place on Earth, but it's not a toilet.

-Drew

ex-idaho · 09-07-2002, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jesterhole:
<strong>After seeing this program I know that I don't EVER want to visit South Carolina. What a toilet!>>>>

Now now...it might not be the most sophisticated place on Earth, but it's not a toilet.

-Drew</strong>

I agree. I love Charleston. It's a great city with a wonderful history and a great deal of culture.

09-04-2002, 03:11 PM	#1
enrious Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Home Posts: 895	ABC News report tonight at 9:00CST In Search of America� (part 2 of six) examines morality in the U.S. and focuses on one man's crusade to add creationism to a South Carolina school district's curriculum. Included: interviews with academics and school-board members. Peter Jennings reports.

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09-04-2002, 07:02 PM	#2
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	Are you sure? The one I saw today dealt with a highschool play.

09-04-2002, 08:07 PM	#3
atheist_in_foxhole Guest Posts: n/a	According to the <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/America/etc/tv.html" target="_blank">ABC News page</a> the creationism episode will air on the 6th.

09-04-2002, 10:02 PM	#4
enrious Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Home Posts: 895	Stupid TV Guide.

09-06-2002, 10:21 PM	#5
atheist_in_foxhole Guest Posts: n/a	I just finished watching it a few moments ago. The program focused on the efforts of a creationist nut who's trying to get his creation myths taught in the public schools of Aiken, South Carolina. The good news is that the school board rejected his proposal in a 9-0 vote, but the bad news is that the fundies (led by the town's fundy mayor) are organizing to get creationists elected to the board in this fall's elections. You should have seen these people. They opposed evolution because they said that it was too scary and too disturbing to think that we "came from monkeys" as they put it. One man was almost in tears because he didn't want to think that he was related to "pond scum." They also built a "hell house" for kids that included the usual "believe in Jesus or burn" crap, and they even held a book burning. But what was really disturbing, IMHO, was the fact that some Aiken public school students who put "I don't believe in evolution" on science tests were getting their answers marked as correct. I wonder if they would get marked correct if they wrote that they believe in a flat earth or if they oppose the idea that the earth orbits the sun. The program also showed how segregated and poor Aiken is. The white fundies get all worked up about evolution and school prayer, but they don't seem to care that their black neighbors are living in poverty. After seeing this program I know that I don't EVER want to visit South Carolina. What a toilet! [ September 06, 2002: Message edited by: atheist_in_foxhole ]</p>

09-06-2002, 10:43 PM	#6
ex-idaho Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Spudtopia, ID Posts: 5,315	I too watched this show tonight. I thought that overall ABC did a pretty good job of covering this town and its religious/cultural issues. I was most concerned with the Mayors near obsession with the "character education" program created by some Xian oraganization whose name escapes me at the moment. I know of a number of cities that have signed on to this program, but none that I am aware of have devoted the energy and tax dollars to implementing it. The Creationist that they featured seemed to be a text book geek. He seemed to have a very small but devoted group of followers. This is often the case. In many parts of America these small groups are taking over the local governments because those that disagree are to lazy to run for office themselves. One other observation that I had. Did anyone else notice how many obese people were in attendance at the Fundy church?

09-06-2002, 11:42 PM	#8
Buffman Beloved Deceased Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: central Florida Posts: 3,546	When the Mayor defended the need of his pet Character Program, I thought it was the perfect opportunity for Jennings to ask him why they needed any churches if they were using a "secular" program to instill moral character in the populace? That creationist pastor works as a scientist at the nuclear weapons facility. Obviously he is concerned about the end days with this Born Again administration in power and with its finger on the Red button. I know I am. Overall, I have to agree that ABC did a decent job given the location from which they chose to make their report. I was especially impressed with the Universalist pastor. As far as I am concerned, she practiced what all the others only preached.

09-07-2002, 03:50 PM	#9
Jesterhole Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 22	After seeing this program I know that I don't EVER want to visit South Carolina. What a toilet!>>>> Now now...it might not be the most sophisticated place on Earth, but it's not a toilet. -Drew

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