Posted on 10/28/2005 2:36:03 PM PDT by scientificbeliever
3. Kansas Biology Teacher On the front lines of science's devolution "The evolution debate is consuming almost everything we do," says Brad Williamson, a 30-year science veteran at suburban Olathe East High School and a past president of the National Association of Biology Teachers. "It's politicized the classroom. Parents will say their child can't be in class during any discussion of evolution, and students will say things like 'My grandfather wasn't a monkey!'"
First, a history lesson. In 1999 a group of religious fundamentalists won election to the Kansas State Board of Education and tried to introduce creationism into the state's classrooms. They wanted to delete references to radiocarbon dating, continental drift and the fossil record from the education standards. In 2001 more-temperate forces prevailed in elections, but the anti-evolutionists garnered a 6-4 majority again last November. This year Intelligent Design (ID) theory is their anti-evolution tool of choice.
At the heart of ID is the idea that certain elements of the natural world—the human eye, say—are "irreducibly complex" and have not and cannot be explained by evolutionary theory. Therefore, IDers say, they must be the work of an intelligent designer (that is, God).
The problem for teachers is that ID can't be tested using the scientific method, the system of making, testing and retesting hypotheses that is the bedrock of science. That's because underpinning ID is religious belief. In science class, Williamson says, "students have to trust that I'm just dealing with science."
Alas, for Kansas's educational reputation, the damage may be done. "We've heard anecdotally that our students are getting much more scrutiny at places like medical schools. I get calls from teachers in other states who say things like 'You rubes!'" Williamson says. "But this is happening across the country. It's not just Kansas anymore."
(Excerpt) Read more at popsci.com ...
Welcome to FR.
What was the point of nitpicking through this article to post only one of these "reasons?" Do you have something against the state of Kansas?
Fools. And I say that as a life-long Christian.
kansas ping
I don't know if you've lurked around here or not, but Crevo threads can be a lot of fun.
They usually devolve (pun intended) into ad hominem attacks before too long...
This shows that if these folks get in control its not just evolutionary biology on the chopping block. Also geology, sedimentology, paleontology, nuclear chemistry, and a host of other fields. They'd probably be happy trashing most of science in favor of their superstitions.
I'd expect nothing less from Polular(ized) Science. Joe Shit the ragman wouldn't know 'science' if he was taught it.
> "We've heard anecdotally that our students are getting much more scrutiny at places like medical schools."
Unsurprising. In the late 1990's, I was living in Lakewood, CO, on the outskirts of Denver, and one of the local students was trying to get the school board to pass a ruling that would force teachers to discuss other "theories" then just evolution. It was a raucus meeting, with speeker after speeaker form both sides.... but what finally clinched it was the kid himself. He got up, launched into his spiel and as soon as he said that the textbook he wanted was in use in Alabama, half of the room erupted in laughter. Nobody could take him seriously after the *next* speaker got up and simply said that the Lakewood school district would be lumped with Alabama.
In the end, reason prevailed and the forces of superstition were led out of the room by their pointy little ears. It was a sight to fill any true conservatives heart with joy and pride.
The more I see of the Creationist/ID crowd, the more I think of them as a cancer on collective intelligence.
The parents can take it to court. The so-called Christians are busy committing perjury in Dover. Taht case will be over soon, and with some luck the Intelligent Design scam will be taught as history.
I don't believe this for a moment. When making admission decisions, medical schools look at MCAT scores, college courses, college GPA, and so on; they generally do not consider high school work.
Besides, what does a evolution have to do with one's suitability to practice medicine?
> Stupefying.
Not really. Creationism becomes something of a challenge when you also have to explain the fossil record and radiocarbon dating (not to mention the *other* radiodating systems). Best to jsut get rid of all that pesky evidence.
Who're you trying to kid?
Someone should tell Popular Science not to use big words that they don't understand...
> Besides, what does a evolution have to do with one's suitability to practice medicine?
Same thing a rejection of the "astrology" and "humours" theories of disease do. A doctor who rejects science.... not a good doctor.
From Dayton, TN to Dover, PA, the Creationists never cease to make themselves look like fools to anyone on the right side of a bell curve.
"forces of superstition"
Is this the line being used by the atheists on this board?
And no I don't believe creationism should be taught in schools.
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