Saturday, June 21, 2008 | Reason : Education | print version

Louisiana's Latest Assault on Darwin

by NYTimes Editorial

Reposted from:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/21/opinion/21sat4.html?_r=2&ref=opinion&oref=slogin&oref=login

It comes as no surprise that the Louisiana State Legislature has overwhelmingly approved a bill that seeks to undercut the teaching of evolution in the public schools. The state, after all, has a sorry history as a hotbed of creationists' efforts to inject religious views into science courses. All that stands in the way of this retrograde step is Gov. Bobby Jindal.

In the 1980s, Louisiana passed an infamous "Creationism Act" that prohibited the teaching of evolution unless it was accompanied by instruction in "creation science." That effort to gain essentially equal time for creationism was slapped down by the United States Supreme Court as an unconstitutional endorsement of religion. State legislators, mimicking scattered efforts elsewhere, responded with a cagier, indirect approach.

The new bill doesn't mention either creationism or its close cousin, intelligent design. It explicitly disavows any intent to promote a religious doctrine. It doesn't try to ban Darwin from the classroom or order schools to do anything. It simply requires the state board of education, if asked by local school districts, to help create an environment that promotes "critical thinking" and "objective discussion" about not only evolution and the origins of life but also about global warming and human cloning, two other bêtes noires of the right. Teachers would be required to teach the standard textbook but could use supplementary materials to critique it.

That may seem harmless. But it would have the pernicious effect of implying that evolution is only weakly supported and that there are valid competing scientific theories when there are not. In school districts foolish enough to head down this path, the students will likely emerge with a shakier understanding of science.

As a biology major at Brown University, Mr. Jindal must know that evolution is the unchallenged central organizing principle for modern biology. As a rising star on the conservative right, mentioned as a possible running mate for John McCain, Mr. Jindal may have more than science on his mind. In a television interview, he seemed to say that local school boards should decide what is taught and that it would be wrong to teach only evolution or only intelligent design.

If Mr. Jindal has the interests of students at heart, the sensible thing is to veto this Trojan horse legislation.

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1. Comment #197118 by EvidenceOnly on June 21, 2008 at 6:40 am

Governor Jindal,

I urge you to read Kenneth Miller's excellent new book on this topic before making your decision.

The book is "Only a Theory: Evolution and the Battle for America's Soul".

It very clearly explains the fundamental strategy of the Discovery Institute which is nothing less than to bring supernatural explanations in all of science.

This undermines America's scientific leadership in the world.

PS. Kenneth Miller is a Catholic so you won't be reading a book written by a secularist, humanist, agnostic or atheist if that is something that would scare you

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2. Comment #197121 by Frankus1122 on June 21, 2008 at 6:49 am

As a rising star on the conservative right, mentioned as a possible running mate for John McCain, Mr. Jindal may have more than science on his mind.

It is funny that I just posted something saying basically this on another thread.
He doesn't care about the science. He doesn't care about the children in the schools. He doesn't care about the truth. He cares about votes and political power.
Cynicism back on apparently.

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3. Comment #197133 by Todd Berkebile on June 21, 2008 at 7:48 am

If you haven't already, you should tell Governor Jindal what you think. I had this say:

Governor Jindal,

I urge you to veto the LSEA.

Our strong lead in science in the US, driven by good science education, has helped the economy of our great nation tremendously. Our past scientific achievements have put our nation into the history books on many occasions. Perhaps you don't recognize this particular wolf due to its wooly sheep costume, but the LSEA is nothing more than the continued efforts of creationists to push their anti-science political agenda. Unfortunately, these so-called academic freedom bills are sure to back fire against the very creationists who support them. These bills open the door not only to preaching "Intelligent Design" but also to preaching all sorts of non-scientific beliefs. For example, this bill could protect promoters of racist eugenics ideas from claiming their bigoted theories are just another take on genetics. It could protect followers of all sorts of crazy cults by allowing them to claim any theory they want is "scientific." Do you really want to be the governor who provides protection so that racists and cultist can influence our children?

You might claim my concerns of a hidden agenda in this bill are unfounded, but if this bill is taken merely at face value then it has no value. It claims to promote critical thinking, but that is already the heart of the scientific process. This concept is already taught in science classes across the country. Taken at face value this bill is like passing a law that requires math teachers to use numbers. You cannot do math without numbers just as you cannot do science without critical thinking. While adding nothing to existing science education this bill will require the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education to expend time and money reviewing any and all material that any teacher in your state might choose to present as scientific evidence. It also exposes your schools to expensive lawsuits should any of those materials be found to promote a state sponsored religion.

Please do the right thing and veto this potentially costly and unwarranted legislation.

Sincerely,
Todd Berkebile

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4. Comment #197134 by Enlightenme.. on June 21, 2008 at 7:52 am

I used to be somewhat skeptical when hearing this was going to be China's [Asia's] century, understood to mean deposing the West as leaders, rather than just playing catch-up.

Every time I hear that someone in power is attempting to sabotage the knowledge economy I become more convinced the Cassandra's were right, it only seems the mid-century-ish timing was wrong, 8 years of Christo-con leadership has lopped a couple of decades off the overtake point.

I'm no Sinophobe, I just feel that secular, democratic, market economics looks to be under threat, with America mortgaged to the hilt to China, whilst China buys up whole mountains made of copper and iron-ore. Resourse conflicts look likely to increase dramatically, as the solutions that could come from scientists are undermined.

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5. Comment #197140 by mordacious1 on June 21, 2008 at 7:58 am

Now the discovery institute will put out something such as: "Strident Yankee newspaper wants to dictate to LA how to educate their kids. Say 'no' to this viscious attempt by liberal northeners to run your state".

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6. Comment #197159 by scooternyc on June 21, 2008 at 8:57 am

Science is OBJECTIVE

Religion is SUBJECTIVE

Trying to present religion as science negates the foundations of what science is all about.

The boy is dead - objective

Murder is bad - subjective

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7. Comment #197169 by Border Collie on June 21, 2008 at 9:27 am

Like I said before, if someone would just attach a rider to this bill prohibiting crayfish eating, frog gigging, Tobasco Sauce using, bass fishing, football playing, snuff dipping, pickup driving, pirot paddling, cousin marrying, etc., this bill would not pass.

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8. Comment #197174 by EvidenceOnly on June 21, 2008 at 9:34 am

With this bill, all educational programs can be summarized in 1 word: IntelligentDesignerDidIt

The school year would only last 30 seconds:

1. The Intelligent Designer is the answer to every question but one (see 2.)
2. Who is he Intelligent Designer? Since you have the rest of the year off, you can find the answer to that question in your bible school. The establishment clause of the US constitution does not allow us to tell you that it is the christian god.

This educational method saves a lot of money in public education.

I'm sure that the bible school teachers would volunteer for this 30 second a year job for free.

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9. Comment #197186 by heafnerj on June 21, 2008 at 10:00 am

Folks, I really hate to be the one to say it, but the fact that this non-issue repeatedly comes back is evidence that it's not going away. We've lost this battle, mostly thanks to the dumbing down of public education in this country. The next third world country on the planet will be America.

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10. Comment #197189 by epeeist on June 21, 2008 at 10:08 am

Comment #197186 by heafnerj

Folks, I really hate to be the one to say it, but the fact that this non-issue repeatedly comes back is evidence that it's not going away. We've lost this battle, mostly thanks to the dumbing down of public education in this country.

Yes, the likes of the Discovery Institute and the Christian "universities" will keep plugging away trying to undermine your constitution and undermine science and rationality in your country.

But you will only have definitely lost the battle when you decide it isn't worth the effort. You have to keep up the fight using whatever means are open to you. Otherwise your prediction might just come true.

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11. Comment #197230 by AoClay on June 21, 2008 at 12:10 pm

Didn't McCain say he accepts evolution? Just saying maybe that should be brought up if he has a serious chance at running mate.

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12. Comment #197245 by quill on June 21, 2008 at 12:36 pm

To the Honorable Governor Jindal,

Hey Bobby,

Congrats on this new anti-science bill you're fronting. Those of us in the better-educated northern states benefit tremendously from having a laughingstock to ridicule, and you have earned our heartfelt gratitude for continuing Louisiana's legacy of service in that regard.

Thanks again for reaffirming your state's historic reputation as the educational and cultural backwater of our great nation,

Miles A. Casner

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13. Comment #197250 by TeraBrat on June 21, 2008 at 12:56 pm

I think I've become psychic. I see a courthouse in the Governors future...

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14. Comment #197276 by Barry Pearson on June 21, 2008 at 2:27 pm

#197186 by heafnerj: Folks, I really hate to be the one to say it, but the fact that this non-issue repeatedly comes back is evidence that it's not going away. We've lost this battle, mostly thanks to the dumbing down of public education in this country. The next third world country on the planet will be America.

#197189 by epeeist: Yes, the likes of the Discovery Institute and the Christian "universities" will keep plugging away trying to undermine your constitution and undermine science and rationality in your country. But you will only have definitely lost the battle when you decide it isn't worth the effort. You have to keep up the fight using whatever means are open to you. Otherwise your prediction might just come true.

Yes to the latter. And let's be clear - talk here about giving up is irrelevant. Barbara Forrest & Louisiana Coalition for Science, Eugenie Scott & NCSE, etc, are committed to this war and won't give up.

Probably fewer than one in a million people in the US (such as the ones I mentioned above) spend most of their time fighting this war. What they do a lot is amplify their efforts by getting others to help - parents, science associations, us, etc. The web and other aspects of modern technology help them. Some scientists spend part of their time helping, but I doubt if that exceeds a few % of their time.

All they need from us is at most perhaps one letter or email per week, typically less. Less than 1% of our time. That would swamp the opposition. (In the last 3 months, I've sent one letter to my MP, an email to the Govenor of Louisiana, a few emails to organisations supplying potentially useful information, a few comments to articles in online newspapers, etc. Not a big deal).

We don't give in with crime, even though it isn't going away. We probably all budget a small amount of our time combatting crime in our own way, even if just by taking precautions. That is life.

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15. Comment #197375 by History_Junky on June 21, 2008 at 11:09 pm

Mr. Bobby Jindal,

Please convert back to hinduism, because it seems that only the abrahamic religious followers have a problem with evolution.

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16. Comment #197402 by Broicher on June 22, 2008 at 1:25 am

Satirically speaking I would like to add, that if those movements in the US continue, Europe will take over scientific leadership of the world while the US make a step back into the medieval ages.

Well, only if those morons (excuse my language) do not drag the whole world into a or some religiously motivated war(s) ...

Cheers, Frank

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17. Comment #197679 by Nephite on June 22, 2008 at 1:37 pm

That may seem harmless. But it would have the pernicious effect of implying that evolution is only weakly supported and that there are valid competing scientific theories when there are not.

Very true, but it would also give overzealous teachers permission to insert bogus science into the classroom.

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18. Comment #200181 by DoingDamage on June 27, 2008 at 3:09 am

Bill signed into Law. Lawsuits coming in 5 ... 4 ... 3 ...

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/science_law_could_set_tone_for.html#preview

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