Latest Challenges to the Teaching of Evolution

It's interesting that a lot of the states which received an "A" are states where there have been recent challenges to the basic science curriculum by creationism (or it's cloaked counterpart, ID).

I noticed that also, rosborne! Pennsylvania got an "A" and Illinois only got a "B"???

What official body does the grading wande? Is it the "science administrators" effemm wrote so scathingly about in his humble post earlier.

are u unable to ferret this out for yourself? Lazy bastard, youre probably barely clutching on to your barstool with a pint in one hand and a butt in the other seeking these answers from anyone who will give you the time of day. I like to see you squirm when people ignore you. You are quick to pronounce how important your question is, when in reality, its just another spate of beer babble.

although not without controversy

Falling trumpets creationism issue
(By BRIAN BARBER, Tulsa World, 8/12/2009)

Republican mayoral candidate Anna Falling said Tuesday that putting a Christian creationism display in the Tulsa Zoo is No. 1 in importance among city issues that also include violent crime, budget woes and bumpy streets.

"It's first," she said to calls of "hallelujah" at a rally outside the zoo. "If we can't come to the foundation of faith in this community, those other answers will never come. We need to first of all recognize the fact that God needs to be honored in this city."

Falling, who has founded several Christian nonprofit groups and is a former city councilor, also said the next mayor needs to appoint people to boards, authorities and commissions who will "honor God."

"We will also look for people who want to characterize the origins of both man and animals in a way that honors Judeo-Christian science that proves God as the creator," she said.

When asked whether she meant that she would recruit Christians to serve the city, Falling said she was talking about "people committed to their churches." When asked whether she meant Christian churches, she said, "churches, yes."

Falling's campaign has been overtly Christian-themed. But she said she wants to embrace people of all religions, not alienate them.

"I'd love to be able to visit with them," she said, adding that there's common ground. "I know God loves them. I love them. This is an opportunity for us to be able to be friends and make a difference in this community."

Controversy over having a creationism display at the zoo dates to 2005, when it was proposed by Dan Hicks, a Christian activist.

Hicks drew up plans for a 5-by-3-foot panel that would tell the Genesis creation story of God creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh.

It was initially approved by the Tulsa Park and Recreation Board, but the board later rescinded its decision in a second vote after a public outcry.

Hicks' now-finished panel was on display at the rally.

Zoo officials released this prepared statement: "Installation of this exhibit at the Tulsa Zoo was raised in 2005, discussed, vetted and resolved in a very public process involving the entire community. A public vote four years ago by the Parks Board resolved the issue."

The zoo has on display an elephantlike sculpture said to depict the Hindu god Ganesha and an exhibit that deals with the creation of the earth from a scientific point of view.

OKLAHOMA UPDATE
Falling's campaign has been overtly Christian-themed. But she said she wants to embrace people of all religions, not alienate them.

"We will also look for people who want to characterize the origins of both man and animals in a way that honors Judeo-Christian science that proves God as the creator," she said.

The zoo has on display an elephantlike sculpture said to depict the Hindu god Ganesha and an exhibit that deals with the creation of the earth from a scientific point of view.

I went to a ribs joint near ADA , (a subburb) and we were in a group of patrons who began a public call to say GRACE.

What the Christian Scriptures say about public prayer:

The author of the Gospel of Matthew contrasted public and private prayer. He recorded Jesus as saying:

Matthew 6:5-6: "And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men....when thou prayest, enter into thy closet and when thou has shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret...."

Many liberal Christians interpret Matthew 6:6 literally. Jesus believed that prayers are to be an intensely personal event between a person and God; no one else should be present. Prayer to him was a private matter. Jesus condemns prayers in situations where other people are present. For example:
In religious settings like churches or synagogues,
In a private or public school,
In a legislature or municipal government meeting, or
In the street or other public place.
Most conservative Christians tend to downplay Jesus' instruction about the importance of going off by oneself and pray alone and in secret. After all, if public prayer is not permitted, then just about every Christian service is seriously in error, with the possible exception of some by the Society of Friends (Quakers).
Conservatives interpret Matthew 6:5 as not condemning public prayer. Rather, it criticizes only prayer in public that is motivated by a desire to show off.

Are you shittin me?

Are you shittin me?