Religious right fights science for the heart of America

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Religious right fights science for the heart of America

Creationists take their challenge to evolution theory into the classroom

Suzanne Goldenberg in Kansas City
Monday February 7, 2005
The Guardian

Al Frisby has spent the better part of his life in rooms filled with rebellious teenagers, but the last years have been particularly trying for the high school biology teacher. He has met parents who want him to teach that God created Eve out of Adam's rib, and then then adjusted the chromosomes to make her a woman, and who insist that Noah invited dinosaurs aboard the ark. And it is getting more difficult to keep such talk out of the classroom.

"Somewhere along the line, the students have been told the theory of evolution is not valid," he said. "In the last few years, I've had students question my teaching about cell classification and genetics, and there have been a number of comments from students saying: 'Didn't God do that'?" In Kansas, the geographical centre of America, the heart of the American heartland, the state-approved answer might soon be Yes. In the coming weeks, state educators will decide on proposed curriculum changes for high school science put forward by subscribers to the notion of "intelligent design", a modern version of creationism. If the religious right has its way, and it is a powerful force in Kansas, high school science teachers could be teaching creationist material by next September, charting an important victory in America's modern-day revolt against evolutionary science.

Similar classroom confrontations between God and science are under way in 17 states, according to the National Centre for Science Education. In Missouri, state legislators are drafting a bill laying down that science texts contain a chapter on so-called alternative theories to evolution. Textbooks in Arkansas and Alabama contain disclaimers on evolution, and in a Wisconsin school district, teachers are required to instruct their students in the "scientific strengths and weaknesses of evolutionary theory". Last month, a judge in Georgia ordered a school district to remove stickers on school textbooks that warned: "This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things."

For the conservative forces engaged in the struggle for America's soul, the true battleground is public education, the laboratory of the next generation, and an opportunity for the religious right to effect lasting change on popular culture. Officially, the teaching of creationism has been outlawed since 1987 when the supreme court ruled that the inclusion of religious material in science classes in public teaching was unconstitutional. In recent years, however, opponents of evolution have regrouped, challenging science education with the doctrine of "intelligent design" which has been carefully stripped of all references to God and religion. Unlike traditional creationism, which posits that God created the earth in six days, proponents of intelligent design assert that the workings of this planet are too complex to be ascribed to evolution. There must have been a designer working to a plan - that is, a creator.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1407422,00.html

[CindyDale]

1. People should study evolution before they attack it

I don't think they even know what the theories are. Very few people do, for example, last night someone asked me if it meant "survival of the strongest."

Why doesn't the press report on these issues so people can understand them? They need to get more science reporters. No one ever challenges this ignorance or tries to inform the public.

We need to move forward, not to become more ignorant.

[asjr]

3. We may very well lose this battle. Indoctrinating impressionable

students is becoming the norm. Trying to turn our schools into churches is certainly unconstitutional, but I am afraid in the last few years there have been many cases of shredding the Constitution.

[thefloyd]

5. This is riduculous

I a not someone who thinks evolution is the sole reason for our existence BUT science is Science and if things cannot be tested then it is not science. It is not like textbooks are claiming it to be a scientific law. I had one christian friend of mine (Who I really respect) tell me there is micro evolution but not macro. Kind of like there is micro economics and not macro economics!!! I changed the subject.

[FreedomAngel82]

11. Exactly

I'm Christian and there isn't enough proof out there for Creationisim. It's more like a Greek myth. Sometimes you have to look at reality and not just your faith a lone. Sure, you can believe God did it but in reality science is apart of our lives and it's not going to go away because of some fundamentalist. There's more proof of science then of Creationisim. If people don't get that then they live in la la land.

[Dhalgren]

2. I get so tired of these dolts and their prattling mythologies...

The US is becoming the stupidest country on earth. These morons are hell-bent on destroying this country and, for the life of me, I can't figure out why. Do these Christianists simply hate America? Do they hate our children and want them to grow up even more disadvantaged in the world than they already are? It's one thing to hold personal beliefs in some mythology or other, it is something altogether different to foist that belief off on the whole country as Truth. This makes me ill...

[A HERETIC I AM]

4. The real reason evolution is maligned so much

by these types is simple. Educated people with critical thinking skills tend to be less religious and therefore DO NOT TITHE!!! It is a generational thing. The organized churches (With few notable exceptions) have a vested interest in ensuring as best they can an undereducated flock to fleece.

[CindyDale]

7. Yeah, but did anyone tell them the undereducated also underearn?

[wtbymark]

6. I'm sorry, but as a vermonter

I wish Jesusland would separate itself from the North-Northeast, west coast, if you people insist on dumbing yourself down, thats all and good with me, but i don't want to pay for it with my tax dollars. Fine, we'll keep the educated population, along with all the intelligent jobs, and the wealth of the Northeast and you may entertain your fantasy, mired in poverty and social isolationism. It's a sad way to kick your dumb cousin to the curb, but if you insist. Also watch the intelligent people in your communities disappear, further isolating you from reality, and stripping you of even more recourses. Pretty soon you'll be burnin' people at the stake and declaring war on the heretics from the north. Wherein we would crush you, then we could move people back into those areas and start farming again, producing food again. That'd be fine with me.

[Vogon_Glory]

8. Creationism Isn't Only An Assault On Biology

If you think about it, you realize that Creationism and its new packaging isn't simply an assault on biology--it's also an assault on chemistry, physics, astronomy, geology and other scientific disciplines. To endorse Creationism is also to create a pseudo-scientific belief structure where ideas and concepts like sedimentation, atomic decay, the speed of light and interstellar distances are grossly distorted or denied outright.

And this is how the "Banana Republicans" plan to keep the US as a major partner in the industrialized world?

How stupid can our fellow citizens prove themselves?

[Azathoth]

9. It's an assault on rationalism and the scientific method

Concepts that are fundamentally at odds with a "faith-based" view of the world.

[Democrat Dragon]

16. Before you begin an all out assualt on creationism...

Remember that creationism and evolution are NOT, and should not be treated as black and white "either-or" ideas. To do so is a lack of critical thinking by itself. The fundementalist view of creationism is obiously flawed, since it takes the Bible literally, word for word. The idea that the Earth is 6,000 years old is never metioned in the Bible, not mention the description of creation is very very vague and may contain symbolic events. Not to metion there happen to be other religions out there besides Chistianity and there are a few folks out there who don't believe in a god but believe that people may have been created by aliens.

[DrWeird]

17. "Scientific Creationism" =

teaching that God created man in his present form 6,000 years ago, as taught in the literal interpretation of the Bible.

That's what Creationism is, that's what we're discussing in these Creation vs. Evolution debates.

Yes, there are other "creation" myths in other cultures and societies, but that is not the subject of this debate.

[Democrat Dragon]

18. Keep in mind that not all Chistians churches believe

in a literal view of the Bible. Thus the Creationism that we are discussing here should be better named "Fundamentalist Creation".

Ok, I'll add my input in this topic:Fundamentalist Creation is like reading somehting in Japanese, yet you can't even read Japanese characters but you still insist you know what it means. In other words, delusional.

[DELUSIONAL]

10. The creationists way -- don't ask questions -- just BELIEVE

And critical thinking is not allowed.

The world is only a few thousand years old and everything we see today was created by god and has not changed in the 6 thousand or so years since he created the world and all that is in the world.

These idiots have been pushing for this creation myth to be taught in all schools by first getting fundamentalist religious right wingers elected to the school boards.

This battle for the minds and souls of young people will be another camel's nose in the door --

first intelligent design -- can't you just admit these fundies ask that a more intelligent being had a hand in the development of humans?

Once they get the camel's nose in the tent ... then ...

The earth is 6,000 years old (plus or minus a few years depending on the "expert" consulted) -- and then the rest of the myth of creation is rote memorization.

Dinosaurs were killed in the great flood -- there that explains the big bones.

But the idiots still have to deal with the fact according to their mythology -- that everyone here is due to incest. Adam and Eve had children and those children had to mate with each other -- uncles, aunts, daughters, sons, mothers -- not just cousins.

Oh their explanation for blacks? One of Noah's sons saw him nude (or some such wild story) and god turned the son's skin black as a punishment.

The problem with the mythology -- or lie is that the story tellers have to keep telling bigger and bigger whoppers to cover up the fact that they are just too damned lazy to learn about science.

Also, the religious ding a ling colleges are turning out "Creation-Scientists" to send to none religious colleges to spread the mythology. I have heard these guys say with a straight fact that they know of no instance of evolution. (hint -- viruses evolve and the hospital bred infections that are resistant to nearly all antibiotics... are two modern examples.)

We have two choices -- forget about being nice and polite -- and start fighting these idiots -- show them for the fools they are. This isn't about freedom of religion.

Or we need to figure out how to start the next American civil war and secede from Jesusland -- because these guys will not allow another valid election -- these fanatics are the ones who control the corporate voting machines and these are the idiots who put bushie in the white house.

[FreedomAngel82]

12. I agree that we can't be nice anymore

Being nice doesn't get you anywhere. I've realized that from watching shows like "Scarborough" and "Hardball." If you want to say anything you have to put being nice aside and just jump in.

[Warren DeMontague]

13. Bottom Line? Thinking is UnAmerican and Un-Christian.

"God Said It, I Believe It, That Settles It"

Fucking Ding-Dongs.

[bugslsu9]

14. What can they think of Americans?

-Begin Rant

This article was published in the Guardian, a UK paper. For four years, the rest of the world has looked at us as a bunch of arrogant, self-centered, asses. We wonder why the rest of the world does not like us? Look at the article. They think all Americans are this stupid. Why shouldn't they, when you think about it. Look who took the Oath of Office on Jan. 20th.

As for these hateful people, why they must they constantly try to push their BELIEFS on the rest of the country. If I want to convince you of something, I will prove my point with facts, not faith. That is the way it should be, convincing others of your point of view based on science or research. Blind faith is just that, blind. It will never see other points of view, and quite frankly, I am sick of hearing those blithering idiots.

End Rant-

[Amonester]

15. Well said. Next time I see one of these creeps, I'll tell him this:

In the New Testament, in the gospel of Mark, Chapter 10, Verses 23 26. It is printed as follows: " How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

So, why do the riches (you know who they are...) still believe the riches will be "saved" when "their" rapture "comes?"

If they would really believe all that crap, they should start giving away everything they "have" (or stole...), no?

So logically, they sure won't be "saved" at all.

Then watch them squeal.

[LibertyorDeath]

19. Yes we want a FULLY Retarded America 51% won't do

"In the coming weeks, state educators will decide on proposed curriculum changes for high school science put forward by subscribers to the notion of "intelligent design", a modern version of creationism. If the religious right has its way, and it is a powerful force in Kansas, high school science teachers could be teaching creationist material by next September, charting an important victory in America's modern-day revolt against evolutionary science."

As America Devolves the World looks on in dismay.