'Intelligent design' in Tenn. schools?

[n2doc]

By John Roach
Tennessee legislators took a step closer Thursday to allowing controversial subjects such as intelligent design to be taught in the science classroom.

The House or Representatives voted 70-28 to pass a bill that would protect teachers from discipline if they challenge the scientific theory of subjects such as "biological evolution, the chemical origins of life, global warming, and human cloning."

Defenders of science education ranging from the American Association for the Advancement of Science to the Tennessee Science Teachers Association have come out against the bill, characterizing it as "unnecessary, anti-scientific and very likely unconstitutional."

Support for the bill comes from backers of the intelligent design movement at the Discovery Institute in Seattle, Wash.

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/04/08/6433919-intelligent-design-in-tenn-schools

[bluestateguy]

1. Most science teachers (in public schools anyway) believe in evolution

So the boosters of this bill may find that very few teachers will teach creationism because they know it is not science.

Then I'm sure the next step for these politicians will be to require that teachers teach creationism in the classroom.

[n2doc]

2. Or, toss them out and replace them with Liberty U graduates n/t

[Tippy]

3. this is not about science...it is about religion

Much of the scientific establishment says that intelligent design is not a tested scientific theory but a cleverly marketed effort to introduce religious -- especially Christian -- thinking to students.

[vim876]

4. Right.

It's not like they're trying to change science curricula by teaching the Aquatic Ape Hypothesis, or some other not-widely-accepted-but-also-not-just-an-excuse-for-religious-crap idea. It's about teaching intelligent design. As someone who believes in evolution through intelligent design, I wouldn't want my kids taught about intelligent design, or any other religious content, in school. Religious instruction should come from the home and/or religious community, not from public schools. The only reason to teach public schoolchildren about intelligent design is in a comparative religions class context, not in science class! To do otherwise is insulting to both science and faith.