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Louisiana's latest creationism bill moves to House floor
by National Center for Science Education
Call to Action
If you thought the Dover Trial would rid us of the Creationists and the Discovery Institute, think again. The National Center for Science Education (www.ncseweb.org/) as well as educators across the US are having to spend time, effort and money fighting to save public education. Currently the most critical situation is int he State of Louisiana. Please help fight Senate Bill 733.
Eugenie Scott, Executive Director of NCSE also warns "We anticipate that next fall or spring (depending on the legislative calendar) there will be new bills proposed in several states (we already know of bills being proposed in OK, NM, and TX, and anticipate IN and some other states.) If the LA bill passes, it will encourage creationists in other states to try the model legislation (originally from an Alabama bill, but tweaked by the Discovery Institute -- http://www.academicfreedompetition.com/freedom.php )"
Reposted from the National Center for Science Education:
http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/news/2008/LA/66_louisianas_latest_creationism_5_23_2008.asp
go to original article for relevant links
On May 21, 2008, Senate Bill 733, the so-called Louisiana Science Education Act, was unanimously passed by the Louisiana House Education Committee. Before passage, the bill was amended slightly from the form which passed the Senate on April 29, 2008, as previously reported by NCSE. It now moves to the full House.
The Associated Press reports (May 21, 2008) that, over the course of a hearing that lasted close to three hours, "Science teachers called Senate Bill 733 a veiled attempt to add religion to science classes." The bill singles evolution out from other scientific theories, and states that a teacher "may use supplemental textbooks and other instructional materials to help students understand, analyze, critique, and review scientific theories in an objective manner."
In the House hearing, some critics pointed out that the bill's stated goals are already covered by policies set by the state's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Baton Rouge Advocate reports Tammy Wood, a science teacher from the Zachary, Louisiana school district, told the committee: "There is absolutely no need for this bill," and added "I am begging you here today to kill this bill."
After the bill passed the state Senate, Alan Leshner, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, wrote to the New Orleans Times-Picayune (May 6, 2008), and echoed the same sentiments. "Proponents offer deceptive arguments about encouraging students to think critically," he observed. "But Louisiana's education standards already do that. The real intent is to introduce classroom materials that raise misleading objections to the well-documented science of evolution and offer a religious idea called intelligent design as a supposed alternative. That would unleash an assault against scientific integrity, leaving students confused about science and unprepared to excel in a modern workforce."
While bill sponsor Senator Ben Nevers (D-Bogalusa) insisted to the AP on May 21 that "I plainly state in this bill that no religion will be taught," he previously told the Hammond Daily Star (April 6, 2008) that the bill was drafted by a group which "believe[s] that scientific data related to creationism should be discussed." Similarly, bill supporter David Tate, a member of the Livingston Parish School Board, told the New Orleans Times-Picayune (April 18, 2008), "I believe that both sides -- the creationism side and the evolution side -- should be presented and let students decide what they believe," adding that the bill is needed because "teachers are scared to talk about" creationism.
At the hearing in the House committee, Caroline Crocker, CEO of the Intelligent Design and Evolution Awareness (IDEA) Center, "said Darwinian evolution is outdated and doesn't explain new findings in science. She also said she had been persecuted in the academic world because of her views," according to the AP. NCSE examined her claims of persecution in our response to her appearance in Ben Stein's antievolution movie, Expelled.
Opponents cited these statements to argue that the bill would open classrooms to creationism. House Education Committee Chairman Don Trahan (R-Lafayette) responded by proposing an amendment which the AP explains "would give the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education the ability to prohibit introduction of materials."
NCSE board member Barbara Forrest told the committee that even the amended version was too broadly written. "Anything could get into the classroom," the AP reports her telling the committee.
That prospect worries the Baton Rouge Advocate's editorial board, which wrote (May 21, 2008) that the bill will "provide a full-time living for dozens of lawyers in the American Civil Liberties Union. They will have a field day suing taxpayer-funded schools as groups use Nevers' language to push Bible-based texts in the schools. That's unconstitutional, and we can see the taxpayer paying -- and paying, and paying -- for this policy in the future."
May 23, 2008
Associated Press Report:
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/NEWS01/80521030
The Baton Roughe Advocate:
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/19139834.html
The New Orleans Times-Picayune:
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/panel_oks_bill_on_science_text.html
For more information on this bill go to:
http://lasciencecoalition.org/
If you thought the Dover Trial would rid us of the Creationists and the Discovery Institute, think again. The National Center for Science Education (www.ncseweb.org/) as well as educators across the US are having to spend time, effort and money fighting to save public education. Currently the most critical situation is int he State of Louisiana. Please help fight Senate Bill 733.
Eugenie Scott, Executive Director of NCSE also warns "We anticipate that next fall or spring (depending on the legislative calendar) there will be new bills proposed in several states (we already know of bills being proposed in OK, NM, and TX, and anticipate IN and some other states.) If the LA bill passes, it will encourage creationists in other states to try the model legislation (originally from an Alabama bill, but tweaked by the Discovery Institute -- http://www.academicfreedompetition.com/freedom.php )"
Reposted from the National Center for Science Education:
http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/news/2008/LA/66_louisianas_latest_creationism_5_23_2008.asp
go to original article for relevant links
On May 21, 2008, Senate Bill 733, the so-called Louisiana Science Education Act, was unanimously passed by the Louisiana House Education Committee. Before passage, the bill was amended slightly from the form which passed the Senate on April 29, 2008, as previously reported by NCSE. It now moves to the full House.
The Associated Press reports (May 21, 2008) that, over the course of a hearing that lasted close to three hours, "Science teachers called Senate Bill 733 a veiled attempt to add religion to science classes." The bill singles evolution out from other scientific theories, and states that a teacher "may use supplemental textbooks and other instructional materials to help students understand, analyze, critique, and review scientific theories in an objective manner."
In the House hearing, some critics pointed out that the bill's stated goals are already covered by policies set by the state's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Baton Rouge Advocate reports Tammy Wood, a science teacher from the Zachary, Louisiana school district, told the committee: "There is absolutely no need for this bill," and added "I am begging you here today to kill this bill."
After the bill passed the state Senate, Alan Leshner, CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, wrote to the New Orleans Times-Picayune (May 6, 2008), and echoed the same sentiments. "Proponents offer deceptive arguments about encouraging students to think critically," he observed. "But Louisiana's education standards already do that. The real intent is to introduce classroom materials that raise misleading objections to the well-documented science of evolution and offer a religious idea called intelligent design as a supposed alternative. That would unleash an assault against scientific integrity, leaving students confused about science and unprepared to excel in a modern workforce."
While bill sponsor Senator Ben Nevers (D-Bogalusa) insisted to the AP on May 21 that "I plainly state in this bill that no religion will be taught," he previously told the Hammond Daily Star (April 6, 2008) that the bill was drafted by a group which "believe[s] that scientific data related to creationism should be discussed." Similarly, bill supporter David Tate, a member of the Livingston Parish School Board, told the New Orleans Times-Picayune (April 18, 2008), "I believe that both sides -- the creationism side and the evolution side -- should be presented and let students decide what they believe," adding that the bill is needed because "teachers are scared to talk about" creationism.
At the hearing in the House committee, Caroline Crocker, CEO of the Intelligent Design and Evolution Awareness (IDEA) Center, "said Darwinian evolution is outdated and doesn't explain new findings in science. She also said she had been persecuted in the academic world because of her views," according to the AP. NCSE examined her claims of persecution in our response to her appearance in Ben Stein's antievolution movie, Expelled.
Opponents cited these statements to argue that the bill would open classrooms to creationism. House Education Committee Chairman Don Trahan (R-Lafayette) responded by proposing an amendment which the AP explains "would give the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education the ability to prohibit introduction of materials."
NCSE board member Barbara Forrest told the committee that even the amended version was too broadly written. "Anything could get into the classroom," the AP reports her telling the committee.
That prospect worries the Baton Rouge Advocate's editorial board, which wrote (May 21, 2008) that the bill will "provide a full-time living for dozens of lawyers in the American Civil Liberties Union. They will have a field day suing taxpayer-funded schools as groups use Nevers' language to push Bible-based texts in the schools. That's unconstitutional, and we can see the taxpayer paying -- and paying, and paying -- for this policy in the future."
May 23, 2008
Associated Press Report:
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/NEWS01/80521030
The Baton Roughe Advocate:
http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/19139834.html
The New Orleans Times-Picayune:
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2008/04/panel_oks_bill_on_science_text.html
For more information on this bill go to:
http://lasciencecoalition.org/
Comments 1 - 50 of 217 |
Reload Comments | Back to Top | Page Numbers2. Comment #185420 by offthepools on May 27, 2008 at 7:06 pm
I am wondering the same thing. It would be great to be able to send a clear message that we strongly disagree with the notion that anything other than peer reviewed science should be taught in a science class.Other Comments by offthepools
3. Comment #185422 by cam9976 on May 27, 2008 at 7:07 pm
This sort of thing makes me sad to be an American. Other Comments by cam9976
4. Comment #185423 by AfraidToDie on May 27, 2008 at 7:09 pm
"and paying, and paying -- for this policy in the future"
It's a never ending battle, but one that must be fought. Thanks for the Eugenie Scotts fighting the "good fight"!
Other Comments by AfraidToDie
5. Comment #185424 by AoClay on May 27, 2008 at 7:10 pm
If it isn't religious then why is there one designer? Also, when people make the claims like "new findings are contradicting evolution" we need to halt everything until they show these findings. Other Comments by AoClay
6. Comment #185429 by AfraidToDie on May 27, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Hey, we are so vastly outnumbered that if it wasn't for the "separation of church and state" clause, we'd all be required to take ID classes. We're one more republican president away from ID being taught in our high school classrooms, and may be on that road anyway. I hate to generalize, but does anyone here doubt that it is a Republican agenda to fill the supreme court with right wing christians? Other Comments by AfraidToDie
7. Comment #185432 by dragonfirematrix on May 27, 2008 at 7:22 pm
All this push for bible BS on people sounds Islamic style to me.
Before it is over, America is going to see a backlash and revolt against the Christians, and even then I do not believe the Christians will get the point.
I believe most people want to be tolerant. However, I am sure that tolerance is only to a point. I doubt most Americans WILL tolerate being indoctrinated what to believe.
The Christians will likely understand the point of the backlash only after it is too late, and then they will claim persecution. That point made is likely to be very, very sharp in the end, and we have the sharpest minds on our side.
Other Comments by dragonfirematrix
8. Comment #185439 by Pattern Seeker on May 27, 2008 at 7:41 pm
Tammy Wood, a science teacher from the Zachary, Louisiana school district, told the committee: "There is absolutely no need for this bill," and added "I am begging you here today to kill this bill."Kill Bill.
'Nuff said.
Other Comments by Pattern Seeker
9. Comment #185440 by rod-the-farmer on May 27, 2008 at 7:49 pm
I am somewhat encouraged by the fact that the vast majority of the comments to the newspaper articles (check out the links above) are opposed to this bill. Maybe there is some hope. Other Comments by rod-the-farmer
10. Comment #185441 by mordacious1 on May 27, 2008 at 7:50 pm
AfraidToDie
Actually, they specificly want to put catholics on the court, and since McCain has promised to put similar judges on the bench, we could be in trouble...
Other Comments by mordacious1
11. Comment #185446 by ghuckin on May 27, 2008 at 8:25 pm
Has Genie Scott considered a delegation of scientists named Steve to plead the case in Louisiana? (For those who don't know what I'm on about, go to the NCSE website, and do a search for Project Steve. Yes, I could have provided the link. What did your last slave die of?) Other Comments by ghuckin
12. Comment #185448 by discipline on May 27, 2008 at 8:28 pm
The re-branding of creationism as an academic freedom issue is a brilliant PR/marketing scheme by the Discovery Institute et al. It is perfectly designed to hit Americans in their sweet spot. I predict that even moderate Christians will be swayed by the "freedom" argument. I'd be surprised if bills like this don't pass in multiple states.Obviously, the "god question" was solved centuries ago -- what remains is a tactical/strategic battle... and science and reason aren't winning.
Other Comments by discipline
13. Comment #185454 by jayalenik on May 27, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Sometimes democracy sucks. Other Comments by jayalenik
14. Comment #185459 by catskill on May 27, 2008 at 9:06 pm
If I were a science teacher in LA and this became law, I think I would seriously consider writing up the Navajo Indian creation theory and send it home to all the parents to get signed and to have their kids explain how this alternate theory of creation works. Here is an excerpt:
But the coyote still had the children of the water monster, and First People were horrified to find the waters of their new world suddenly rising. Again they planted a reed and began to climb, but this time they could not reach all the way. Nor could they find a hole. So the yellow hawk tried to scratch a hole in the dome. The heron and the buzzard also helped, but the locust was the one who finally succeeded in getting through. Then the spider spun a rope so that everyone could climb up through the hole.
You can get the rest here:
http://www.trivia-library.com/a/navajo-creation-story-and-myth.htm
If I were motivated enough I would do a very serious write up on this and send it to everyone who voted for this bill, thanking them that finally the real truth about our creation can be taught to the students in my classroom.
Other Comments by catskill
15. Comment #185477 by bucketchemist on May 27, 2008 at 10:25 pm
This seems to me to support Dennett's proposal that religion be taught in schools. Not in science classes of course, but since religion is clearly extremely important to a vast number of people and is embedded into western culture to such an extent its absence from the school curriculum is creating problems. I suspect that there would be less pressure to include it within science classes if its existence (although not necessarily its truth) was validated elsewhere. Other Comments by bucketchemist
16. Comment #185482 by Delsolar16 on May 27, 2008 at 11:01 pm
How exactly do you teach creationism in schools anyway? I think for a creationist it would just take a 5 minute lecture to explain the complexity of not only life on earth, but all of the cosmos as well. They have absolutely no evidence to support any of their beliefs, so how much can they possibly say besides "God did it"? Other Comments by Delsolar16
17. Comment #185483 by King of NH on May 27, 2008 at 11:06 pm
"Caroline Crocker...'said Darwinian evolution is outdated and doesn't explain new findings in science. She also said she had been persecuted in the academic world because of her views...'"
Good! 'I hope they done persecuted her real good,' to borrow her own linguistics. She deserves it.
Personally, I would love to introduce religion into a science class as the teacher, then subject that religion to complete and utter scientific scrutiny. The students would learn how utterly insane the idea of a god is and how mentally incapacitating religion is. Religion in science class should be avoided by anybody hoping to keep religion alive. But then, if the teacher is pushing the religion, then it would be bad for us, good for them, but it wouldn't really be a 'science' class then, would it?
Other Comments by King of NH
18. Comment #185484 by Scandinavian07 on May 27, 2008 at 11:11 pm
"At the hearing in the House committee, Caroline Crocker, CEO of the Intelligent Design and Evolution Awareness (IDEA) Center, "said Darwinian evolution is outdated and doesn't explain new findings in science."Could someone please give me those findings? I've been looking for them since the age of 16, and I guess must be reading the wrong material.
Hmm, "IDEA", sounds alot like IKEA.. I always get lost in those places. No wonder they're confused.
Scandinavian07
Other Comments by Scandinavian07
19. Comment #185485 by EvidenceOnly on May 27, 2008 at 11:12 pm
Is it not ironic that it is exactly those who BELIEVE that their god created everything also refuse to make use of their ability to think which they also claim is god-given?Worse, they spare no effort to try to stop the rest of us, who KNOW we evolved through natural selection, from using our brains in search of evidence and truth.
Freedom of speech unfortunately but rightfully includes the freedom of some to prove to the rest of the world beyond a reasonable doubt that they really are ignoramuses, IDots, GodDidIt-ists, and the like.
While freedom of speech gives them the right to make a fool of themselves, it does NOT give them the right to force others from following the evidence to wherever it leads to.
It is child abuse to indoctrinate students with anti-evolution, anti-scientific, anti-truths in educational.
The same nonsensical arguments keep coming back. A great, short and sweet article that describes 34 unconvincing arguments for God can be found at:
http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2007/12/34_unconvincing_arguments_for.php
Other Comments by EvidenceOnly
20. Comment #185487 by VrijzinnigMan on May 27, 2008 at 11:18 pm
What was Bill Nevers (a Democrat??) thinking? Since when do the students make the decisions on what is science and what is not? What is next, that sunlight can exist without a sun as the creation myth in Genesis seems to imply?Is the National Academy of Sciences not clear enough on this subject (see "Science, Evolution and Creationism", Third Edition, published earlier this year)?
A biology teacher who does not accept evolution and thinks that ID, which lacks any supporting evidence, is a reasonable scientific alternative to Evolution is incompetent and should be fired.
Other Comments by VrijzinnigMan
21. Comment #185489 by passutoba on May 27, 2008 at 11:25 pm
Even when all this idiocy dies a death, future generations will surely looks back and us and laugh, especially when put alongside all the technology we have.Other Comments by passutoba
22. Comment #185490 by Macropus on May 27, 2008 at 11:29 pm
At the hearing in the House committee, Caroline Crocker, CEO of the Intelligent Design and Evolution Awareness (IDEA) Center, "said Darwinian evolution is outdated and doesn't explain new findings in science. She also said she had been persecuted in the academic world because of her views," according to the AP.
Isn't it wonderful how religious people use the language of religion to elicit sympathy. Anybody else would have said they'd been criticised in the academic world, but if it's about religion it's persecution.
On the other hand, if she's been saying that Darwinian evolution doesn't explain new findings in science, and if she has not provided good evidence to support this proposition, long may her "persecution" last. Glib statements may satisfy her flock but they deserve all the contempt we can muster.
Other Comments by Macropus
23. Comment #185492 by Lightnin on May 27, 2008 at 11:36 pm
Kill Bill.
A genuine and heartfelt 'lol' Pattern Seeker.
Other Comments by Lightnin
24. Comment #185499 by DavidSJA on May 28, 2008 at 12:49 am
Why doesn't write the FSM-inspired version of "Intelligent Design", get it published and see if that might not have an impact on this?Other Comments by DavidSJA
25. Comment #185500 by PJG on May 28, 2008 at 12:49 am
I've said it before... I think Britain and the USA should do a swap:
America can have all our creationists, if we can have all their atheist scientists.
I think that is fair... and it might make these idiots think for a moment.
Other Comments by PJG
26. Comment #185505 by dyak on May 28, 2008 at 1:37 am
Why don't they go after historians as well? Historians claim the earth is older 6000 years. And archeologists, linguists, anthropologists.....???Other Comments by dyak
27. Comment #185509 by epeeist on May 28, 2008 at 1:46 am
Comment #185505 by dyakWhy don't they go after historians as well? Historians claim the earth is older 6000 years. And archeologists, linguists, anthropologists.....???You think that once they get creationism into the curriculum they won't?
Other Comments by epeeist
28. Comment #185513 by Silent.Bomber on May 28, 2008 at 2:12 am
What a joke. Other Comments by Silent.Bomber
29. Comment #185515 by irate_atheist on May 28, 2008 at 2:17 am
29. Comment #185513 by Silent.Bomber -What a joke.Laugh? I nearly shat.
Other Comments by irate_atheist
31. Comment #185517 by irate_atheist on May 28, 2008 at 2:23 am
31. Comment #185516 by EeekiE -Child abuse.Genocide.
Other Comments by irate_atheist
32. Comment #185523 by k1mgy on May 28, 2008 at 2:34 am
Home schooling? Not for wacko's anymore, is it. Other Comments by k1mgy
33. Comment #185526 by DanDare on May 28, 2008 at 2:48 am
Use the "Stork Theory" to positively identify why non-science cannot be taught in science classes ! Its a funny gag but it is also a deep demonstration. Science teaches that babies are created by sexual intercourse, but its just a theory and other competing theories should be included. Let the children decide if they believe in Stork Theory or not.Daniel Dennett is wrong about teaching religion in school by the way. They have R.E. classes in state schools here in Oztralia and they just push for more. Religion can be taught at home and kids can be bundled of to church outside of school. There is no need whatsoever to have it IN school, except to keep their kids under the thumb!
Other Comments by DanDare
34. Comment #185534 by Wosret on May 28, 2008 at 3:14 am
"Why won't you die!? AHHHH!" Other Comments by Wosret
35. Comment #185540 by animavisual on May 28, 2008 at 3:34 am
Caroline Crocker's rhetoric disturbs me, particularly when she invokes the very modern American defense that her views are somehow validated by the victimization she has suffered for them.I recently got into an argument with a schoolmate as to whether or not Americans have a constitutional right to remain blissfully un-offended (I was saying that no, we clearly don't, and he seemed to have read a different document than I had).
It's as if the lot of us have forgotten that sometimes, people can simply be incorrect.
Other Comments by animavisual
36. Comment #185541 by FightingFalcon on May 28, 2008 at 3:35 am
Now this is something that we should be concentrating on. I'll write my letters but as a New Jersey resident currently living in the UK, I doubt it'll mean anything. Other Comments by FightingFalcon
37. Comment #185546 by JeremyH on May 28, 2008 at 3:52 am
Does anyone else just feel utterly exhausted by the continual threat to the well-beings of children and the future of science? Is there any conceivable end to this? You know there's only one thing that has ever proven to overcome this kind of thing within a single generation...
"Viva la revolucion!"
Other Comments by JeremyH
38. Comment #185548 by Greyman on May 28, 2008 at 3:56 am
34. Comment #185526 by DanDare on May 28, 2008 at 2:48 am Daniel Dennett is wrong about teaching religion in school by the way. They have R.E. classes in state schools here in Oztralia and they just push for more.It's not quite the way he meant though, is it? R.E. in Australia involves religious ministers and such visiting the school to offer instruction to children of parents with their religious affiliation. It's not studies of comparative religion.
And in Queensland, philosophies without any belief in the supernatural are excluded by legislation. Secular Humanism is "not a religion".
Other Comments by Greyman
39. Comment #185553 by aquilacane on May 28, 2008 at 4:09 am
What will they teach? I haven't seen any science surrounding ID. If they want to teach it in science class I don't think strong opinion is testable in lab or essay form. There is also the problem of explaining the evolution of the intelligent designer, what are its origins, how did it evolve, who is it and where is the evidence? Even if our genes turn out to be the extension of a more intelligent being it still doesn't answer the origin, or demonstrate progression from designer to independent life from. I can only see an argument that is based around imaginary holes in evolution and not actual evidence to support ID. Silly subhumans. Other Comments by aquilacane
40. Comment #185556 by kryss187 on May 28, 2008 at 4:15 am
I feel ashamed to be an American at times like this. Way to go folks! Lets add to our stereo type of being fat and stupid. Other Comments by kryss187
41. Comment #185561 by Christopher Davis on May 28, 2008 at 4:31 am
aquilacane,
They'll teach faulty arguments against evolution. That's all they ever do. In their minds, if they can disprove evolution the Judeo/Christian creation fable wins by default.
Other Comments by Christopher Davis
42. Comment #185562 by KRKBAB on May 28, 2008 at 4:34 am
I'm really startung to think that making religion mandatory in public shools is a brilliant idea. Just make sure it's taught objectively (History- Sociology, Literature...) and it should really hammer home the "man made god" point. Show all of the major religions of the world, AND the newer ones (Jehovah's Witness, Mormans...)It might shed some light with kids when they're most vulnerable that religion is so damned created- BY HUMANS! What the heck? Prof. Dawkins himself repeatedly says he first started doubting religion when he learned how many there were and it made him really think about it. Lets embarrass the hell out of these creationists by putting the spotlight on religion.Other Comments by KRKBAB
43. Comment #185569 by LUCASWB on May 28, 2008 at 5:03 am
maybe they should redefine the "controversy"
something from nothing vs. the infinate regress
Other Comments by LUCASWB
44. Comment #185575 by VJocys on May 28, 2008 at 5:30 am
It seems that good education in USA is too expensive and majority can't afford it. And later... that poorly educated majority cope with bright minority :). Maybe, if all education system in USA will stay, as it is now, this battle will continue again and again and again, without good results for science and educated people. I am happy that scientists are not roasted on fire as witches in USA, because they know many magical stuff... for example, how to make little lightning in electrical outlet - one day they can die and go to Hell for that. Other Comments by VJocys
45. Comment #185590 by davemei on May 28, 2008 at 6:46 am
That's it! We're moving to Canada! Other Comments by davemei
46. Comment #185595 by davemei on May 28, 2008 at 6:53 am
I feel ashamed to be an American at times like this. Way to go folks! Lets add to our stereo type of being fat and stupid.
I firmly believe Americans are the best at everything. No one can beat us as idiots, bigots, frivolous, or lazy.
Let's keep reverting back to religion and suppress intelligence and discovery. Let's see how that works out.
Other Comments by davemei
47. Comment #185597 by eh-theist on May 28, 2008 at 6:53 am
It seems that good education in USA is too expensive and majority can't afford it. And later... that poorly educated majority cope with bright minority :).
Whoa. It costs a LOT more money to make up stuff to teach.
If only the money that was donated to churches was donated to science education...
Other Comments by eh-theist
48. Comment #185606 by Diocletian on May 28, 2008 at 7:15 am
How discouraging it must be for people like Eugenie Scott to read comments that we should just give up and move to Canada or that all Americans are simply stupid. I suppose that is so much easier than actually doing something to help the NCSE. Public education in the US is much better than most people credit. Unfortunately, the campaign to discredit public education (largely promoted by religious wingnuts) has worked so well that everyone buys into it.It must be so discouraging to teachers and those people who do all they can to help educate children to hear such comments. Let's not help them - let's just criticize them and then go about our business.
Other Comments by Diocletian
49. Comment #185632 by dpsych on May 28, 2008 at 8:35 am
rod-the-farmer
I have already done just that. These yahoos just dont understand our objections. Why...the lord should be in the schools, its only natural because its a christian nation dontyaknow :-)
Other Comments by dpsych
50. Comment #185636 by texaskeptic on May 28, 2008 at 8:42 am
Use the "Stork Theory" to positively identify why non-science cannot be taught in science classes ! Its a funny gag but it is also a deep demonstration. Science teaches that babies are created by sexual intercourse, but its just a theory and other competing theories should be included. Let the children decide if they believe in Stork Theory or not.
Sorry, the Xians have already denied the teaching of anything involving sex. The "Stork Theory" would probably become the bedrock of a new Abstinence & Ingorance Only Program.
Other Comments by texaskeptic
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1. Comment #185418 by rod-the-farmer on May 27, 2008 at 7:01 pm
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