Those wacky Texans

[Allison]

http://www.dallasobserver.com/2008-03-20/news/battle-against-teaching-evolution-in-texas-begins

It's a really good (albeit long) article about the battle for the State Board of Education in Texas. Creationists vs. well, everyone else.

[Golmacmourna]

stop assaulting my belief in the inherent goodness of humanity, alli.

[Allison]

Good grief, I'm in a tizzy today. Last night, I read that article about the Texas State Board of Education and their efforts to teach in science classes what is a philosophical argument for creation ... not to mention abstinence-only education that doesn't work and, I couldn't believe it when I read it, efforts to remove self-breast-examination illustrations from health books!

And today, I read this article (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/05/us/05popline.html?hp) about how Johns Hopkins University, for the last couple of months, had its computers ignore the search term "abortion" in a database they manage on reproductive health ... I assume, for fear of losing federal funding.

What the hell? When did knowledge become such a bad thing? I mean, I've always known there are people out there like that; and I've been aware that they've been creeping out of their homeschool-living rooms and barnhouse revivals to insert themselves and their backward beliefs into all levels of government. But they're actually making headway!

Jeebus, are we going to have to witness women being beaten in the streets for showing too much ankle before people realize how dangerous it is to subvert knowledge in favor of religious ideology?

I'm definitely in a tizzy today.

[Noleader]

The reason they made headway has to do with the whole 'if it does not affect me' mindset this country has. When it was a small thing here and there no one that objected cared to much because it did not hit home. Now that they are trying to take us back to the stone ages and it hits home people are getting involved. Problem is that the group screwing shit up has been at it for more years and as such has more organization.

[Muadi]

I'm with ya Allison.

I think it is a bit interesting/disturbing that the lines of division are becoming blurred. There is a distinction between science and religion. One faith based, one based on physical evidence. I have never understood why a faith based version of something should be taught in an institution that educates on physical know facts. Physics and Math are proven entities. The only time we see somthing new there is when an unknown becomes known, changing some of the facts on how elements behave. English (language arts) and Social Sceince are based on history and cultures, both of which are forever changing and adjusting, but all have a pretty clear path of change. That path can be researched and identified.
Then there is faith based beliefs. To me, faith based truths should be taught at faith base institutions. We certainly don't see the radicals trying to teach courses on chemistry, geology and physics at faith based institutions.... why do we need to see the opposite in our schools?
If a person wants their child to learn a particular subject, they should see to it that their child goes to the appropriate location. End of story. If a creationist wants to make sure creationism is taught to their child, make sure they go to church and read the bible. IF they are concerned that evolution is taught to their child in shcool, explain to them the reasons for the apparent conflict of interest.
I know of the argument that "The shcools are teaching evolution to my church going child, this is wrong and it must stop" Well, send the child to a catholic school. Duh.

[Post]

This is why creationists have changed the name to "intelligent design." They change the supreme being from God to "generic omnipotent being," change calling it creationism to intelligent design, and voila - it's no longer faith based.

[Muadi]

When the Intelligent Design took ahold in the publics eye a few years ago, it was all you heard. I don't hear that term much anymore... has it faded away a little?

[MickeyFinn]

Pretty much, Muad. People ate the stuff under the sink when the comet went by, thinking it was the apocalypse.

[Golmacmourna]

We certainly don't see the radicals trying to teach courses on chemistry, geology and physics at faith based institutions.... why do we need to see the opposite in our schools?


Arguably, Islamic Extremists are learning chemistry, so to speak, in their faith based institutions.

Faith is always made to serve secular interest--in the sense that every person of faith is driven by their mundane interests into believing that religion supports their personal interests via cognitive dissonance.

Think about it, even without the obvious arguments that religion is an opportunistic thing in itself, if you believe that you are experiencing some kind of insight into the right and truth of the universe, how can you *not* force it on others? Especially if their behavior is 'endangering' you and yours?

Seriously. Look at the basic argument. Allegedly no one can look at a living being and think 'that's an accident'. Maybe if you have no imagination whatso*ever*. Meanwhile, I look at alot of people and think 'there's no way that was on purpose'.

[Muadi]

I'm totally on board with ya Golma... I very much have my beliefs. However, I won't behave like some other groups, and mandate/force/demand that my way be taught. I think that is what gets me the most. I'm afraid my attitude is pretty much "Who the hell are you to tell me what to think?"

I mean... give me your thoughts and views... feel free to try and convince me.. but don't try to legally force me to agree with you :) (Not you Golmacmourna... you the public :) )...... you know what I mean.

[MickeyFinn]

you talkin' to me?

[Muadi]

hehehhe.. no.

Just generalizing....