Posted on 06/06/2005 2:49:58 PM PDT by CHARLITE
A new front has opened up in the debate over evolution and creationism in Utah, with a proposal to require the teaching of divine design in public schools.
State Senator Chris Buttars (R-West Jordan) has agreed to take the lead in pushing new legislation on the teaching of divine design, also known as intelligent design, in conjunction with evolution in schools.
Buttars is supported by a strong conservative lobby, headed by the Eagle Forum, which has previously sought the inclusion of divine design in the public school science curriculum.
School officials argue that any laws requiring the teaching of divine design could be found in violation of the separation of church and state under the First Amendment.
Supporters of the proposal contend, however, that divine design is not the same as creationism. Unlike creationism, divine design simply acknowledges that the world is so complex, its development must have been guided by some higher power. Proponents do not specify who that higher power is.
Currently, public schools in Utah are required to teach evolution, but not alternative theories. Some teachers have independently chosen to introduce the topics of creationism or divine design in their classrooms.
The issue of what to teach in schools regarding evolution has been an ongoing debate. Recent cases have gained nationwide attention.
In May, the Kansas Board of Education held hearings to decide on new science standards. A three-member committee heard arguments from proponents of intelligent design and evolution. Last week, written arguments from both sides were submitted to the Board. The Board is expected to decide on new standards by the end of the summer.
One of the most publicized cases last year concerned evolution disclaimer stickers that were placed on the cover of ninth grade science books in Atlanta, Georgia. The stickers said that “evolution is a theory, not a fact,” and warned students that “material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered.”
Six parents filed a suit against the Cobb County School District, charging that the stickers violated the separation of church and state. The school district argued that the stickers were meant to open up discussion on the topic of evolution and alternative theories of the origin of life.
In January, a federal judge ordered the stickers to be removed. The school district began removing stickers from over 30,000 books in May, although an appeal is pending on the judge’s ruling.
The new proposal in Utah is yet another iteration of the creation-evolution debate. The issue is expected to be brought up when the next legislative session begins in January.
Comments: susan@christianpost.com
We probably won't.
However, imagine yourself as a Lib that has finally 'had it' with Hate-Monger/Commie/Socialists that have captured the Dumbocrat Party......He/She/It has some doubt in their mind about their core principles......They are ready to adopt true Conservative thinking, or at least to adapt a more Libertarian viewpoint with regards to Taxes (ie. stop the Marxist wealth redistribution).......and they hear about a place called FreeRepublic and come here to learn more........They come here and the place is all gunked up with Creationist Threads......and they wonder just what kind of people they are aligning themselves with.
The Conservative Movement loses a new member.
Besides, the Creationists here at FR are people in a Chat Room. Can any of us vouch for their true intentions? I certainly don't know who they really are. Do you? They could be Trolls.
yeah the creationists dont have a leg to stand on.
Discovery Institute is funded by the Moonies.
Paranoia-the-dark-destroyer bump.
PSPL
Ignorance, the true destroyer.
I rate ID right along side crystal balls and tarot cards. That is what I was trying to get across.
Thanks for the link. :-)
These have nothing to do with the theory of evolution. Try to stay on topic.
"Can any of us vouch for their true intentions? I certainly don't know who they really are. Do you? They could be Trolls"
Interestingly enough, one of the creationists darkly hinted last week that *I* was a troll -- all because I registered recently and have only (and rarely) posted on these kinds of treads.
I didn't say it at the time, but c'mon... If I were a troll out to discredit conservatism wouldn't I be posting creationist nonsense?
I really think you're on to something, Doc.
Same Lib that has finally "had it" with the dems listens to the TV news and hears about the "conservative" creationists in Kansas that want to roll back the clock 200 years to before Darwin. And the conservative movement loses a new member.
Which is more likely? The potential new conservative coming to FR, or the potential new conservative watching the MSM?
What my personal goal here is to stop this creationist lunacy before it ever gets seriously identified with "conservatives". It that were to happen, it would do as much damage to us as the gay marriage issue has done the dems.
I think the actual result in the potential conservative recruit coming to FR and finding creationist threads like this one, would be that 1) conservatives have the freedom to discuss the pros and cons of the issues. And 2) creationism is not a litmus test for conservatives, as abortion is for Libs. I think the result would be a new conservative recruit that felt welcome no matter whether they're creationist or scientist.
I'd heard that. But is 100% of their money from the Koreans?
Also, there's the Institute for Creation Research and several other organizations as well. Don't know where their money comes from.
The potential is there for creationism to be as large a political force as the environmentalists are. And I'm sure many millions, if not billions of dollars will be donated to their cause.
Environmentalists and creationists with their junk science are two sides of the same coin.
I cannot agree more!
God created the Universe approximately
4.5 billion years ago and has been active
in its evolution ever since.
He is not hasty. He takes his time.
Occasionally He will take a rest. On
other occasions he will work with a
flurry of activity. His work
is wonderful.
It is left to us to divine His hand. The
more His Truths are discovered through the
methodology of Science the more beautiful
His Creation becomes.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1413885/posts?page=600#600
Very good ........
Some cosmologists, such as Lee Smolin, have suggested that principles of natural selection maybe applied to the cosmology, but this perspective has not, as of yet, been widely accepted.
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