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How 19-year-old activist Zack Kopplin is making life hell for Louisiana’s creationists
io9 ^ | January 15, 2013 | George Dvorsky

Posted on 01/16/2013 4:41:13 PM PST by EveningStar

For Zack Kopplin, it all started back in 2008 with the passing of the Louisiana Science Education Act. The bill made it considerably easier for teachers to introduce creationist textbooks into the classroom. Outraged, he wrote a research paper about it for a high school English class. Nearly five years later, the 19-year-old Kopplin has become one of the fiercest — and most feared — advocates for education reform in Louisiana. We recently spoke to him to learn more about how he's making a difference.

(Excerpt) Read more at io9.com ...


TOPICS: Education; Religion; Science
KEYWORDS: arth; creationism; evolution; louisiana; lsea; notwithatenfootpole; science; scienceeducation; zackkopplin
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To: xzins

LOL!!! Thanks again! You, Sir and Brother, are a genuine prize!!! :-|


241 posted on 01/22/2013 11:32:52 AM PST by TXnMA ("Allah": Satan's current alias... "Barack": Allah's current ally...)
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To: marron; betty boop; Alamo-Girl; xzins; MHGinTN; hosepipe
Dear Brother, you wrote:

"He can work with that kind of uncertainty the way a sailor uses winds he doesn't control to go to a destination he does control. He doesn't need to control everything to remain in control of everything."

Ab-so-lutely beautiful! May I copy and print that and hang it on my wall? I am facing uncertain times, (aren't we all?) and that statement landed upon me with a calming, soothing effect that still resonates within me!

Thank you!!

242 posted on 01/22/2013 11:53:54 AM PST by TXnMA ("Allah": Satan's current alias... "Barack": Allah's current ally...)
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To: xzins; TXnMA; betty boop; marron; Alamo-Girl; P-Marlowe; YHAOS; MHGinTN; metmom

You missed (in #228)the most important EX NIHILO event to modern christians.. wonder why..

AKA... the creation of the New Testament by the Roman Catholic Church.. much as the Jews created the Talmud..
and to some extent the Quran for muslims..

Most of the Christians and Jews(and muslims) worship their God-Lore much like idols.. but some worship holy places..
Relegating “God”, to most, a literary and honorary presence..

When Jesus came to and did make quite literally all religion (on this planet)-

1) Obsolete..
2) went on vacation... (otherwise how could he “come back”)
3) delegated all authority (on this planet) to the Holy Spirit..

A good creative (and management) enterprise overlooked by most.. in my search..
raising “having an invisible friend” to an ex nihilo event..
not just for young people but for adults as well..


243 posted on 01/22/2013 12:10:47 PM PST by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole..)
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To: Alamo-Girl; betty boop; marron; xzins; YHAOS; MHGinTN; metmom
Dear Sister, thank you for your insightful, beautiful (and Scripture-based) essay-post!

As usual, what God has provided through you is both enlightening and a true blessing!!

I perceive that we are, (again, as usual) on converging courses... :-)

~~~~~~~~

I AM is still in control!!

244 posted on 01/22/2013 12:26:32 PM PST by TXnMA ("Allah": Satan's current alias... "Barack": Allah's current ally...)
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To: hosepipe
Somehow, I missed out on the ex nihilo aspects of the canonization of Scripture -- which consisted of collection of already existing writings and selection of those deemed to be divinely inspired.

Could you please explain how that process was "ex nihilo" (something where nothing had existed before)?

245 posted on 01/22/2013 12:37:13 PM PST by TXnMA ("Allah": Satan's current alias... "Barack": Allah's current ally...)
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To: TXnMA

Could you please explain how that process was “ex nihilo” (something where nothing had existed before)?


OK... A collection of “loose” writings, written when very few people could even read or wanted or needed to read.. assembled into a “library”(bible) and given “a stamp” of approval and “canonized” as special.. was a creative event..

This “lifted” those writings from lore to dogma status.. creating an addendum to the “Torah” and adjacent supplementary “scripture”(prophets/psalms) making them Old Testament and New Testament.. although some writings were omitted as questionable in authorship.. or were written by some unauthorized heretics.. Heretic being a nebulous term.. that Jesus never used.. as far as I know..

Does this make the Bible unworthy of study?.. I say no.. even though “WE” are admonished(by Jesus) according to legend to go to the Holy Spirit if we need to “know” anything.. You know “our invisible friend”.. Which has always worked for me.. But the Bible has provided for me some very good entertainment.. and I’m grateful for it..


246 posted on 01/22/2013 1:06:45 PM PST by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole..)
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To: hosepipe
I have, on this thread, already expounded on my (very narrow) interpretation of the meaning of "ex nihilo" creation. Assembly of a batch of existing writings (Divinely inspired or not) does not meet that criterion. Hence, we differ on that point.

My belief of the power and inerrancy of the truth of the canonized Scripture (aka the "Word of God") does not descend to the level of "entertainment". I hold it in infinitely higher regard. Again, we differ...

247 posted on 01/22/2013 2:12:57 PM PST by TXnMA ("Allah": Satan's current alias... "Barack": Allah's current ally...)
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To: TXnMA

Hence, we differ on that point.


Nobody’s perfect... I tolerate partial perfection... d;-)~....


248 posted on 01/22/2013 2:44:32 PM PST by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole..)
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To: hosepipe
So, we in love, agree to differ...

In some (leftist) circles, difference is elevated to near-deity status. They worship

"Di-Ver-Si-Ty!!!"

Who are we "Right-wing bitter clingers" to argue with such "enlightenment"? '-)

LOL!!!

249 posted on 01/22/2013 2:57:08 PM PST by TXnMA ("Allah": Satan's current alias... "Barack": Allah's current ally...)
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To: TXnMA

Who are we “Right-wing bitter clingers” to argue with such “enlightenment”? ‘-)


I’ve looked for anything right wing.. and am coming up empty..
If I could find a right wing I would join it..
FR is not right wing theres too many Romneyoids and McCainiacs and Bush-whackers out here..
And a few Loosertarians..

But there are a remnant of right wingers.. so I stay put..
at least they say they are right wingers.. may be so..

As always I remain available to pull the trap as a volunteer on
a gang gallows set up on the White Hut lawn.. for mass processing of malefactors..

Would take special pleasure in processing media moguls..
and denizens of Hollyweird and academia..

RAP artists I would do foregoing my lunch time as a patriotic duty..
Would not like being robbed of the chance to send them on to a meet and greet with Jesus..


250 posted on 01/22/2013 3:14:35 PM PST by hosepipe (This propaganda has been edited to include some fully orbed hyperbole..)
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To: marron
Thank you so very much for your wonderful essay-post, dear brother in Christ!

Its important to notice that parts of the process are mechanical, and are predictable, and parts of it have been given independent intellect and will which adds an element of spontaneity to the process. This seems to be by design. Rather than a universe of telephone poles he seems to prefer forests of unique trees whose final shape is not entirely predictable or controlled.

So very true.

And, as you say, He does not need to control every thing to remain in control of everything.

Like you, I look forward to even more of that spontaneity in the next life.

251 posted on 01/22/2013 9:45:22 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: TXnMA
Whatever label we put on your examples, none but our Creator God could have accomplished them as observed. IMO, There is no more obvious -- publicly witnessed and documented -- proof of the deity of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, than His miracles.

To Him be all the praise and glory!!

Amen!

Thank you so much for your testimony and insights, dear brother in Christ!

252 posted on 01/22/2013 9:52:53 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: TXnMA
I AM is still in control!!

Amen!

And yes, indeed, we are on converging courses!

Thank you so much for your encouragements, dear brother in Christ!

253 posted on 01/22/2013 9:54:55 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: xzins; Alamo-Girl; betty boop; marron; P-Marlowe; YHAOS; MHGinTN; hosepipe; metmom
LOL!! Every time I re-read your #235, it still cracks me up!!

~~~~~~~~~

It was during the Nixonian era that the Alzheimer's that finally took my Dad (a lifelong Democrat) reached the point that we had him professionally evaluated. I was there with him, and the tester did start with name and date -- and then he asked for the name of the current President.

My Dad's response was, "Ummmmm... Harry Truman?"

~~~~~~~~~

Your post caused me to ask myself how I (at 75) would answer that same question...

TXnMA:

"Well -- it sure as heck is NOT that ineligible, illegal alien, phony 1/6th Black, Kenyan muslim Marxist usurper who is squatting in the White Hut, spending MY money, running up debt, taking expensive vacations and golfing while doing his da*ndest to destroy our Constitution and everything that makes this Nation great!!"

So...

Ummmmm... Ronald Reagan?"

~~~~~~~~~

<LOL!!!>

(Praise the Lord that I'm now able to jest about that horrible time in my family's life!)

254 posted on 01/23/2013 5:07:48 AM PST by TXnMA ("Allah": Satan's current alias... "Barack": Allah's current ally...)
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To: TXnMA

LOLOL!


255 posted on 01/23/2013 6:23:31 AM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: jsanders2001
DNA of an organism is the genus code of information on how to reproduce another of that genus. Men are now manipulating the code, to produce a new generation which deviates significantly from the genus from which the DNA was lifted for manipulation. Animal husbandry is no longer what these scientists are doing.

BUT, as you pointed out, this is still a far cry from creating since they are manipulating what has already been created ... they haven't reached the level of 'getting their own dirt'.

256 posted on 01/23/2013 6:45:17 AM PST by MHGinTN (Being deceived can be cured.)
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To: TXnMA

LOL!

Who is the president? The last REAL president was Ronald Reagan.

I can see that going through my mind, so I can see your elderly Pops answering in just that way regarding Harry Truman. His was a cantankerous generation with plenty of sand, as they say, so just such an answer would be right in character.


257 posted on 01/23/2013 8:30:11 AM PST by xzins (Retired Army Chaplain and Proud of It! True supporters of our troops pray for their victory!)
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To: xzins; betty boop; marron; Alamo-Girl; P-Marlowe; YHAOS; MHGinTN; hosepipe; metmom
"healing any leper insofar as there is the assumption that any missing body parts were restored."

~~~~~~~~

Just ran across an interesting FR post which bears on the subject of healing the lepers:

Man who lost nose to cancer will grow a new one on his arm

Probably would have overlooked it you hadn't piqued my curiosity with your question.

~~~~~~~~~~

For those of us who participate in these discussions in the right spirit, I'm convinced that the Lord uses inputs from all similarly-motivated participants to enrich and grow our own lives and witness -- in ways that we may not even recognize...

Again, Thank you!

And, thank You, Lord, for the blessing of fellowship with these FRiends!

258 posted on 01/23/2013 9:50:07 PM PST by TXnMA ("Allah": Satan's current alias... "Barack": Allah's current ally...)
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To: TXnMA
And, thank You, Lord, for the blessing of fellowship with these FRiends!

Amen!

Thank you for sharing your insights, dear brother in Christ, and thank you for the link!

259 posted on 01/23/2013 10:09:25 PM PST by Alamo-Girl
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To: MHGinTN

> Men are now manipulating the code, to produce a new generation which deviates significantly from the genus from which the DNA was lifted for manipulation. Animal husbandry is no longer what these scientists are doing.

And if you have any imagination of what could be done by madmen just because they can that should scare the hell out of you. I remember sitting in a meeting many years ago and a high ranking military official who was a member of an ethics committee that was tied to the WH (cannot remember what the specific name of the committee but it start with a J) and he indicated that they had been discussing concerns in regard to ethics if the public were aware of how far advanced they had become in reference to tinkering with DNA; about how they had figured out how to get different species to accept DNA from the other by using a form of a virus; that they now had the capability to develop new life forms. It was pretty alarming stuff and sort of gave me a sick feeling at the time. He said they were considering the ethics of doing experimentation like that and said pig’s DNA had already been tampered with many years before to make them larger by inserting HUMAN DNA into their genetic code. Every time I look at a pork chop now it doesn’t look nearly as appetizing...lol


260 posted on 01/23/2013 11:30:51 PM PST by jsanders2001
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