pResident's Comments Embolden Anti-Evolutionists

[G_j]

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0808-09.htm

Published on Monday, August 8, 2005 by the San Francisco Chronicle

Bush Pushes Very Hot Button
President's Comments Embolden Anti-Evolutionists

By Joe Garofoli


The real impact of President Bush weighing in on the national debate over how to teach the origins of life may be felt in the classroom, where much of the anti-evolutionary lobbying is done under the radar.

One tactic is for a student or parent to present the teacher with a list that's popular in conservative circles called, "Ten questions to ask your biology teacher."

<snip>
"I felt like both sides ought to be properly taught," Bush said. "I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought."

The mere fact that Bush mentioned intelligent design on the same footing as evolutionary teaching is being seen as a huge moral boost for anti-Darwin critics.


..more..

[bryant69]

1. I agree with the President

Evolution should be taught properly and creationism should be taught properly. The proper way to teach evolution is in science class (without regard to philosophy or religion), and the proper way to teach creationism is in Sunday School (for those so inclined).

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[countingbluecars]

4. Exactly.

As a kid, I heard both sides in the proper settings. I was able to draw my own conclusions as to which made the most sense.

[htuttle]

2. "may be felt in the classroom"

Or it may be felt in the unemployment line, now that tech corporations can see where the US is heading.

Faith-based biology and history will be followed by faith-based chemistry and faith-based math. Pretty soon, they'll be declaring all new technology as 'ungodly' in a new religious version of Lysenko-ism.

Then again, it's nothing really new -- it's just new *here*. The Church as an institution has been trying to stop the progress of science for about a thousand years...

[lazarus]

3. About those stupid Ten Questions

They've been answered repeatedly. This is a good set of answers, from the National Center for Science Education

Also, talk.origins took apart Wells' book here:

http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/wells/iconob.html

[ironman202]

5. somebody sent me this

OPEN LETTER TO KANSAS SCHOOL BOARD

I am writing you with much concern after having read of your hearing to decide whether the alternative theory of Intelligent Design should be taught along with the theory of Evolution. I think we can all agree that it is important for students to hear multiple viewpoints so they can choose for themselves the theory that makes the most sense to them. I am concerned, however, that students will only hear one theory of Intelligent Design.

Let us remember that there are multiple theories of Intelligent Design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster. It was He who created all that we see and all that we feel. We feel strongly that the overwhelming scientific evidence pointing towards evolutionary processes is nothing but a coincidence, put in place by Him.

It is for this reason that I’m writing you today, to formally request that this alternative theory be taught in your schools, along with the other two theories. In fact, I will go so far as to say, if you do not agree to do this, we will be forced to proceed with legal action. I’m sure you see where we are coming from. If the Intelligent Design theory is not based on faith, but instead another scientific theory, as is claimed, then you must also allow our theory to be taught, as it is also based on science, not on faith.

Some find that hard to believe, so it may be helpful to tell you a little more about our beliefs. We have evidence that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe. None of us, of course, were around to see it, but we have written accounts of it. We have several lengthy volumes explaining all details of His power. Also, you may be surprised to hear that there are over 10 million of us, and growing. We tend to be very secretive, as many people claim our beliefs are not substantiated by observable evidence. What these people don’t understand is that He built the world to make us think the earth is older than it really is. For example, a scientist may perform a carbon-dating process on an artifact. He finds that approximately 75% of the Carbon-14 has decayed by electron emission to Nitrogen-14, and infers that this artifact is approximately 10,000 years old, as the half-life of Carbon-14 appears to be 5,730 years. But what our scientist does not realize is that every time he
makes a measurement, the Flying Spaghetti Monster is there changing the results with His Noodly Appendage. We have numerous texts that describe in detail how this can be possible and the reasons why He does this. He is of course invisible and can pass through normal matter with ease.

I’m sure you now realize how important it is that your students are taught this alternate theory. It is absolutely imperative that they realize that observable evidence is at the discretion of a Flying Spaghetti Monster. Furthermore, it is disrespectful to teach our beliefs without wearing His chosen outfit, which of course is full pirate regalia. I cannot stress the importance of this, and unfortunately cannot describe in detail why this must be done as I fear this letter is already becoming too long. The concise explanation is that He becomes angry if we don’t.

You may be interested to know that global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters are a direct effect of the shrinking numbers of Pirates since the 1800s. For your interest, I have included a graph of the approximate number of pirates versus the average global temperature over the last 200 years. As you can see, there is a statistically significant inverse relationship between pirates and global temperature.

In conclusion, thank you for taking the time to hear our views and beliefs. I hope I was able to convey the importance of teaching this theory to your students. We will of course be able to train the teachers in this alternate theory. I am eagerly awaiting your response, and hope dearly that no legal action will need to be taken. I think we can all look forward to the time when these three theories are given equal time in our science classrooms across the country, and eventually the world; One third time for Intelligent Design, one third time for Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, and one third time for logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence.

[Beaver Tail]

9. Flying Spaghetti Monster

That comment will probably lose their interest. I would suggest that even though the outlandish remark does have its merits in showing that not every one has the same belief, you may want to refer to something that they may be able to more easily define and understand.

On a person level I loved that remark but others may not share our sense of humour.

[murray hill farm]

6. This man is unbelievable...how did he happen..geeez

he is beyond an embarrassment? I believe that bushco must be at a point now where sane...or even kind of sane persons are scratching thier heads and asking the same question..."how did we in the usa allow this to happen?"

[sui generis]

7. Yes, Let's start by renaming it: Irrelevant Design

Who Cares.

It proves nothing, it means nothing, it can't be proven using scientific method. It is irrelevant to science, so it should be called what it is:

Irrelevant Design.

[Brotherjohn]

8. So they want to use "critical thinking" and "scientific criticism" of ...

... Darwinism?

The Dicovery Institute guy (West) says they're "not pushing for intelligent design", but what they're "pushing for is for the scientific criticism of Darwin's theory".

Umm, the scientific process -- over a hundred years of peer reviewed research, countless studies and papers, billions of points of evidence -- has already weighed in on Darwinism with scientific criticism and critical thinking. And it continues to do so.

It's called the scientific method.

These guys couldn't use "critical thinking" to save their own ass.

[Kraklen]

10. Bring it on.