A column about Kansas Science Standards

EducationNews.org ^ | November 14, 2005 | State Board Chairman Steve Abrams, DVM

[Dimensio]

Because a facile belief in mythology is intellectually easier than the hard work of understanding a fairly complex and challenging field of science, especially when that field of science makes them feel somehow less divinely exalted among the rest of the species?

Keep in mind that mlc9852 is also assuming that the majority of the US population is actually learning the theory of evolution, which is an unfounded assumption (especially given the dismal understandin that so many "doubters" of it show on these discussions). Also keep in mind that mlc9852 is on record as having said "I am a creationist liar like all the rest."

[Dimensio]

Keep in mind also that roughly half of people think that lasers work by focusing sound waves, that electrons are smaller than atoms, and that antibiotics can kill viruses, according to a 2004 NSF survey.

One of these things is not like the others. One of these things does not belong.

[MeanWestTexan]

Are you really a Christian, or are you pretending to be one to make Christians look hateful?

I see no evidence of the Holy Spirit in any of your venomous replies.

If you would like an intelligent discussion, with legitimate exchanges of point of view, go back to my original post to you and start over.

Otherwise, get behind me.

[Quark2005]

Keep in mind also that roughly half of people think that lasers work by focusing sound waves, that electrons are LARGER than atoms, and that antibiotics can kill viruses, according to a 2004 NSF survey.

Oops. Thanks for pointing out the typo. (I should stop posting before my 2nd cup of coffee...)

[mlc9852]

What does this have to do with my personal beliefs? I haven't asked about whether any one else is a Christian or an atheist in response to their posts.

[PatrickHenry]

Most people probably think that the lightspeed barrier will be broken, as was the sound barrier.

[Bouilhet]

It would also be worthwhile, for those supporting the Kansas School Board in their new standards, to read the letter from the National Academy of Sciences explaining why they have denied copyright permission to the Kansas State Board of Education to use the National Science Education Standards as a basis for the new Kansas standards. A pdf version of that letter is available at the Kansas State Department of Education homepage (www.ksde.org).

A brief excerpt:

"…our review of the KSES (provided in Appendix 1) finds that evolution is singled out as an area of science where there is major scientific controversy because of alleged weaknesses in the theory. In fact, the vast majority of scientists accept evolution as the most compelling explanation for how the diversity of life arose on this planet. Data collected from scientists in many disciplines and published in tens of thousands of peer-reviewed papers both support and continue to strengthen evolution as the underlying basis for understanding biology. The only controversies lie in understanding the possible mechanisms by which evolution operates, but these kinds of disagreements are found in all areas of science. Indeed, they are essential to scientific progress. The revised KSES attempts to portray evolution as a theory in crisis and raises “controversies” (e.g., the Cambrian explosion) that evolutionary scientists have refuted many times using the available evidence."

[MeanWestTexan]

You just answered my question.

Goodbye.

[mlc9852]

I am so glad I learned long ago to ignore you. May many others soon do the same.

[From many - one.]

What if they say "God is the Creator of all life"

and

"I also believe in evolution"

[From many - one.]

Depends on what you mean by image.

[mlc9852]

Can you believe God created Adam and Eve as complete humans and also believe humans descended from an ape-like creature?

[mlc9852]

Are you saying God is an ape-like creature? How would you define "image"?

[Dimensio]

I just love how you have to take time out to reply to me telling me that you don't reply to me. But then, as you yourself admitted, you are a liar. And I never called you that until you admitted it yourself.

[From many - one.]

Except for some protestants in the United States and some Moslems, the majority do buy it.

[mlc9852]

Well, there are a lot of Protestants here so that would explain it.

[From many - one.]

I can, easily.

[From many - one.]

Doesn't the rest of the world count?

[Quark2005]

Most people probably think that the lightspeed barrier will be broken, as was the sound barrier.

Hey, well if it's in Star Trek, it must be possible, right? A lot of (very smart) people who don't properly understand the nature of quantum entanglement seem to think it allows some kind of loophole to break the lightspeed barrier (it doesn't).

People seem to readily admit they don't understand relativity, though - I just don't get why people think the finer points of evolution should be any easier to fully grasp. Both are pretty abstract concepts and take years, even decades, to properly understand.

[mlc9852]

Count in what way?