By CADIE THOMPSON
Added: Wed, 11 Mar 2009 00:00:00 UTC

Reposted from:
http://www.oudaily.com/news/2009/mar/11/state-representative-disapproves-darwin-2009-proje/

OU students and faculty are busy celebrating the anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and the publishing of his book “On the Origin of Species,” but one Oklahoma lawmaker is not too happy about the party.

House Resolutions 1014 and 1015, introduced by Rep. Todd Thomsen, R-Ada, assert that OU’s recent evolution-related discussions, part of the “Darwin 2009” project, have been unfair and biased because proponents of creationism and intelligent design have not been represented equally alongside evolutionary biologists.

“I am trying to promote free thinking,” Thomsen said. “I strongly oppose the Department of Zoology for their unwillingness to lead our state in this discussion and not have opposing views in this matter.”

Although Thomsen’s resolutions would not enforce any government action if passed, his efforts still have been met with opposition.

“It’s breathtakingly stupid,” said Rob Boston, a spokesman for Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. “Rep. Thomsen might as well be complaining students are being indoctrinated with the theory of gravity.”

Boston said he thinks Thomsen’s resolutions promote creationism and are a step toward implementing creationism instruction in schools.

AUSCS is working with the Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education to make sure creationism is kept out of the classroom, he said.

HR 1014 claims that the OU Department of Zoology has “been framing the Darwinian theory of evolution as doctrinal dogmatism rather than a hypothetical construction within the disciplines of sciences.”

But the word “theory” means something different in science than it does in colloquial language, according to Rosemary Knapp, director of graduate studies in the Department of Zoology.

“It’s as close to law as can be,” she said of the theory of evolution. “It’s the equivalent to gravity.”

Still, Thomsen said OU should encourage students to think independently about the issue by inviting speakers well-versed in creationism and intelligent design.

But creationism and intelligent design theories do not hold ground when compared to evolutionary biology, Knapp said.

“What’s really unfortunate is that people that are opposed to the fact that we don’t discuss things like intelligent design have a hard time recognizing intelligent design is not a scientific theory,” Knapp said. “It’s not on equal standing.”

The majority of Oklahomans hold views differ opposed to the teachings of evolutionary biology and the philosophy of author Richard Dawkins, who spoke on the Norman campus Friday night, Thomsen said.

“I don’t believe it was a good idea for Dawkins to speak and I don’t think he represents anything of scientific value or anything Oklahoma represents,” he said.

According to HR 1015, Dawkins’ “published theories about evolution and opinion about those who do not believe in the theory are contrary and offensive to the views and opinions of most citizens of Oklahoma.”

Thomsen did not point to any surveys to verify his statements regarding the opinions held by the majority of Oklahomans.

But even if the majority of Oklahomans do agree with Thomsen, it is still the responsibility of OU to educate citizens about evolutionary biology, Boston said.

“The underlining problem with these resolutions is they foster and promote ignorance,” Boston said. “Part of the reason public universities exist is to expose students to different ways of thinking.”

TAGGED: -, EVOLUTION, POLITICS