Texas Education Anyone? (Dallas, Austin, Howe: 2009, lawyers, homes)

[DoomedRepeat]

" AUSTIN – Nearing a crucial vote on the issue, State Board of Education members will convene another public hearing today on proposed science curriculum standards that will dictate how evolution should be covered in science classes in Texas. Among those expected to testify are science teachers, college professors, parents and various groups hoping to influence the board on proposed language that could require teachers and textbooks to cover both strengths and weaknesses of Charles Darwin’s theory of how humans and other life forms evolved. " Texas' Board of Education to hear testimony on teaching evolution | News for Dallas, Texas | Dallas Morning News | News: Education

[loves2read]

scares me
really worried that language that will enable creationism to be taught as viable theory of evolution/design will emerge
that is really a step backwards--make that two steps backwards--
especially after Obama made a point of mentioning that science is coming back vs intelligent design/religiosity attitude espoused by Bush admin...

[hostlonestar]

I honestly think that Darwin's Theory should be taught as science. It is not really a religion, just a theory.

[DoomedRepeat]

Well, you know I watched a debate about this. Folks, it's clear who is right and wrong here. And it's really little to do with Darwin. If I decide that I can explain Gravity works by small and invisible gremlins, and that in fact Newton is just one possibility. Will you demand your children know my theory? Well as stupid, dumb, nonsensical, illogical, unreasonable, unintelligent, misinformed, misconstrued, and categorically unscientific as that is, infact this is what Texas is considering. Creationist and ID'ers have no alternatives to Darwin, except that Darwin is largely considered to be correct as is Newton. Tomorrow that could change, even Newton (although that would take some work) but it won't be a preacher-man doing the changing. And that's really what this is about. Resentment! No wonder this nation needs to be told to hope for a better future.

[padcrasher]

Thankfully, these people really are stupid. Stupid enough usually to put something in place that will be ruled unconstitutional by the courts. So it usually doesn't stand. But of course they will have spent Millions wasting our tax dollars on lawyers defending their mistakes.

[TexasHorseLady]

Update.

[love roses]

What's really so bad about learning opposing viewpoints? Isn't that how people make choices and learn? Just because someone may not make a choice agreeing with you is no reason to hide both viewpoints from people to try and ensure that only your way is the true way...

[neutrino]

Creationism is not science and thus should not be included in science curricula. However, I think students should learn why it's not considered to be science as a part of understanding how science works.

Teachers should also mention how Darwin's theory relates to modern theories of evolution which incorporate genetics, developmental biology, etc. that were unknown during Darwin's time.

[Back2TX]

Well, in my opinion, if you are going to teach evolution... you should give the students the option to study it or not. My husband refused to study it when he was in school. I had a problem with it too. It wasn't right forcing me to study something against what I believed in. If you don't want creationism taught in schools, fine.... but don't force students to learn evolution either.

[TexasHorseLady]

The public schools are governmental entities. Thus, they are not allowed, by our constitution, to teach the beliefs of one religion without teaching the beliefs of ALL of them. Creationism is the belief of one. Those of you who support the teaching of creationism in the public schools as science - are you quite comfortable with the creation beliefs of all of the other religions being taught as science, as well? Or would you object to your child being taught those beliefs as fact?

The place for creationism being taught, in my opinion, is in the churches, in the homes of those who believe in it, and in the private religious schools that are available for those who wish their children to have religious instruction in their particular religion.

If someone wishes to pray in public school, themselves, individually, it's perfectly legal to do so, by the way. (Keeping in mind, of course, Matthew 6:6.) It's just not constitutional for the SCHOOL to hold prayers of a particular religion or belief system.

What I do think should be taught, primarily, in science classes, is how to think critically, to evaluate and analyze the available evidence, the scientific method, in other words, and the understanding that new evidence is always coming to light.