Anti-evolution teachings gain foothold in U.S. schools

[Hawkeye]

Originally Posted by ontheEdgeof17

It would be very biased. I had a Religions of the World class, and professor was clearly unhappy with teaching other beliefs other than Christianity.

I don't know about your professor but in Buffalo New York teachers do a great job of being completely unbiased when teaching about world religions.

[GateandGarden]

Originally Posted by ontheEdgeof17

It would be very biased. I had a Religions of the World class, and professor was clearly unhappy with teaching other beliefs other than Christianity.

Aw, that's a shame. I've never taken a class specifically about religion, but every history professor I've had since I've been in college didn't have any problems discussing different belief systems. And the students couldn't tell which religion the professor practiced, if any at all, unless they knew him or her personally. That was never an issue. But I can certainly believe that it doesn't always work out so well.

Hillary

[dissention]

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I think you know that's completely false. And I'll let dissention take that one if he's interested.

Gladly.

Evolution involves science. Creationism does not. Get it?

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Hawkeye

what's with this her stuff. It's HE. I think I've indicated that before, why can't you rremember that, but you remember that gas comment from over a year ago.

The fumes from our newly "cheap" gas must have affected me on some level, dear.

[GateandGarden]

Originally Posted by dissention

Gladly.

Evolution involves science. Creationism does not. Get it?

Short and sweet.

[wondergirl9847]

Originally Posted by dissention

Evolution involves science. Creationism does not. Get it?

That's crap.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by dissention

Gladly.

Evolution involves science. Creationism does not. Get it?

Well, not exaclty - no one can prove that evolution is correct or true - it cannot be proven that man evolved from monkeys - thus it is just a theory just like intelligent design Also, can one scientifically disprove intelligent design - no one cannot. So, I say teach them all (and I mean all religions' origin stories) and let people figure it our for themselves. Show how species have evolved over millions of years - show the alleged missing link between man and monkeys or some other biped. The problem I see with that is that the religious right and the far left are scared to death to let people do just that (think for themselves) - it is all or nothing - a scorched earth policy if you will - the far right IMO having MUCH more to lose and, is, therefore, more vehement on this. I mean why is it so horrid to say the current scientific theory is evolution and we note none of the world's religions really agree with that - here is what they think - here is how some religions meld the two so they are consistent. I think that is a great topic and probably should be a required class on just that topic.

Anyway - my $0.02 as food for thought.

Edit: or as Christy beautifully and succintly put it "That's crap."

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by dissention

I fear that pretty soon The Passion will be shown to all students.

Please, don't give them any ideas.

[cliffdweller]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Show how species have evolved over millions of years - show the alleged missing link between man and monkeys or some other biped.

That would still be seen as conceding too much; do you think the Christian right would never agree to something so practical?

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by cliffdweller

That would still be seen as conceding too much; do you think the Christian right would never agree to something so practical?

Sadly - no. AND - that exists on both sides IMO - the far left would never allow this because of the chance people might agree with a religion's theory over evolution (which again is not a proven thing by any means) - so the battle rages on knowledge suffers the casualties

Interestingly, I do not think the far religious right is against showing how species, even man, evolved over time. I think they are mostly opposed to linking man to another species as that is against what The Bible says. AND - there is no concrete evidence at all that links man to monkeys - in fact a significant portion suggests there is no link - thus the search for the "missing link." To me, it seems natural to assume that apes and man were related at some point - probably a million years ago. But, that is just me

[GateandGarden]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

Well, not exaclty - no one can prove that evolution is correct or true - it cannot be proven that man evolved from monkeys - thus it is just a theory just like intelligent design Also, can one scientifically disprove intelligent design - no one cannot. So, I say teach them all (and I mean all religions' origin stories) and let people figure it our for themselves. Show how species have evolved over millions of years - show the alleged missing link between man and monkeys or some other biped. The problem I see with that is that the religious right and the far left are scared to death to let people do just that (think for themselves) - it is all or nothing - a scorched earth policy if you will - the far right IMO having MUCH more to lose and, is, therefore, more vehement on this. I mean why is it so horrid to say the current scientific theory is evolution and we note none of the world's religions really agree with that - here is what they think - here is how some religions meld the two so they are consistent. I think that is a great topic and probably should be a required class on just that topic.

Anyway - my $0.02 as food for thought.

Edit: or as Christy beautifully and succintly put it "That's crap."

I'm baffled as to why you think religious explanations of anything belong in a biology class.

And everything in the field of biology is either a theory or something less than that--does that imply that it's all crap?

Hillary

[amber]

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I'm baffled as to why you think religious explanations of anything belong in a biology class.

Hillary

Yes, i was baffled, too. And, yeah, they are theories, but theories based on sound scientific evidence and principals. And the scientific canon of evidence doesn't really support the timeline, etc, of creation theory..

[GateandGarden]

Whatever the case, this definitely has the potential to develop into a grand and lengthy debate between strandie and dissention, so I'll have my popcorn ready.

Hillary

[amber]

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

Whatever the case, this definitely has the potential to develop into a grand and lengthy debate between strandie and dissention, so I'll have my popcorn ready.

Hillary

Ah, gonna sit back and let the boys talk, as usual? Well, no one else loves the sound of their own typing more (cept me ).

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I'm baffled as to why you think religious explanations of anything belong in a biology class.

And everything in the field of biology is either a theory or something less than that--does that imply that it's all crap?

Hillary

Well, there are scientific ways to prove the existence of God - do a google search and you will see.

Again, I realize evolution is science, but in it can be seen intelligent deisgn - or at least in theory.

Finally, all I am saying (and I knew I would take flack for saying it because people cannot see this issue with clear eyes IMO) is that it hurts no one to teach the two side by side and explain the differences and similarites and let people think for themselves. That concept is just too much for people and the mere mention of it usually provokes yelling