Intelligent Design Theory: Science or Religion?

Let me get this straight, the Senate of the United States of America has just passed a bill that would allow teachers to distort scientific facts in the name of being "critical".

Let's hope the House shoots it down.

Unless the Bill is changed such that it encourages teachers to be critical of every single subject taught in school, then it should not pass.

Wolf is a UK person, Gus.

Each state has a state legislature.

I was not "giving orders". I said "please".

Evolution bills in jeopardy as session nears end
(By Anna Scott, CAPITAL BUREAU, April 24, 2008)

A proposed law allowing teachers and students to question the scientific theory of evolution is in jeopardy.

The Senate narrowly passed its version Wednesday, but rejected an amendment that would have brought it in line with the House version -- and compromise may not be possible before the annual lawmaking session ends next week.

The difference in the two bills is subtle: The House version requires teachers to make "a thorough presentation and critical analysis of the scientific theory of evolution."

The Senate bill places no requirements on teachers. Instead, it protects teachers and students who question evolution from being disciplined.

Proponents of the evolution bills are silent about whether they allow teaching of intelligent design or creationism.

But opponents say that is clearly the effect.

House sponsor Rep. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, said he prefers his version requiring "a thorough presentation" because it more strongly protects from lawsuits teachers who question evolution.

"People telling teachers that they cannot lead their class in a discussion, that they cannot question the theory of evolution, and if a teacher dares question the theory of evolution, then someone hauls them into court, that's what we're trying to avoid," Hays said.

Hays said he planned to ask his colleagues in the House to vote on his version early next week, leaving just a few days after that to forge a compromise that could be approved by both chambers.

"We're not going to just get something in," Hays said. "We want to get something right."

Sen. Ronda Storms, R-Valrico, said she has not given up on passing some version of the evolution bill, but that she had hoped to avoid the last-minute bouncing between the chambers.

"Certainly we're running out of time," Storms said.

Sen. Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville, who voted for the evolution bill and spoke in favor of it, was more blunt about the shrinking time frame. He said Hays "must be hitting the sauce if he thinks he's going to send the bill back here."

Hays and Storms brought identical evolution bills forward after the state Board of Education decided that Florida students should learn Darwin's theory of evolution.

Hays then modified his version.

Similar measures to allow questioning of evolution are being considered in Missouri and Louisiana. A version proposed in Alabama failed.

Debate in Florida has been heated.

Even when grilled by her colleagues in the Senate, Storms refused to say whether she believed her bill would open the door to the teachings of creationism and intelligent design -- lessons the Supreme Court has found to be in violation of the constitution.

The purpose, she said, is to protect students' and teachers' right to free speech and thought.

On Wednesday, Storms read aloud from an e-mail she said came from a Florida science teacher who wanted to remain anonymous.

"To say I have problems with evolution theory would be career suicide for me," Storms read, quoting the teacher.

The e-mail went on to say that teachers called students who do not believe in evolution "religious idiots" and "rednecks," Storms said.

Sen. Dan Webster, R-Winter Garden, referenced God in defense of the bill.

"Maybe King David was right when he stepped out into the sky and looked up and said the heavens declared the glory of God," Webster said.

"Can't we ask the question?"

Democrats argued there was no substantial controversy over the theory of evolution, and that alternative theories were too far beyond the mainstream to be considered real science.

The proposal could subject schools and teachers to lawsuits, said Sen. Frederica Wilson, D-Miami.

The science experts called on by the Board of Education should be allowed to decide what is taught in the classroom, argued Sen. Nan Rich, D-Weston.

Sen. Steven Geller, D-Hallandale Beach, said the debate was "embarrassing" and would hurt Florida's chances to attract high-tech or science-based industries.

Politics 101: For Florida legislators who want to pander to their religious voters while avoiding having their state run afoul of the first amendment, the following process is recommend: Approve one version of a bill in the house and another version in the senate, and then run out of time before negotiating a final version. That way you can say you fought for it, but "gol dern it, we just ran outa time".

Barbara Smoker (born 1923) is a British Humanist activist and freethought advocate. She is also former President of the National Secular Society (1971-1996), former Chair of the British Voluntary Euthanasia Society (now known as Dignity in Dying) (1981-1985) and current Honorary Vice President of the Gay and Lesbian Humanist Association in the United Kingdom.

Barbara Smoker occupied two attic rooms without inside sanition on Catford Hill. She was a freethinker, ate very little meat, and bought her clothes mainly in jumble sales. Barbara Smoker had no job, but made a meagre living by winning competitions-- literary competitions and competitions on the backs of tins and packets for slogans, jingles, ditties--with a little journalism besides.

Barbara Smoker had no job but she was always busy. On Thursdays, for example, she could be heard on her soap box on Tower Hill contradicting what the Methodist minister Donald Soper (later Baron Soper) had been saying on Wednesday. She was a passionate campaigner, coherent, courageous, unconquerable in her crusade against the Big Lie of religion. For forty years she was to persist, without a job, working round the clock as Chairman of the Voluntary Euthenasia Society, President of the National Secular Society, a champion of the Family Squatting Movement, a force within the Radical Alternatives to Prison Committee.

rosborne979 wrote:

Politics 101: For Florida legislators who want to pander to their religious voters while avoiding having their state run afoul of the first amendment, the following process is recommend: Approve one version of a bill in the house and another version in the senate, and then run out of time before negotiating a final version. That way you can say you fought for it, but "gol dern it, we just ran outa time".

They put on quite a show. The speaker of the Florida House compared teaching evolution to government control in Cuba. Ben Stein came in and used the proposals to promote his movie. Senator Storms denied trying to inject religion into science class while at the same time complaining about hostility to religion.

Creationist school's plea is denied by state board

Quote:

Creationist school's plea is denied by state board
(By JEANNIE KEVER, Houston Chronicle, April 25, 2008)

With virtually no discussion, the state's Higher Education Coordinating Board voted unanimously Thursday to deny a request by a Bible-based school and research institute to offer a master's degree in science education.

wandeljw wrote:

Quote:

Creationist school's plea is denied by state board
(By JEANNIE KEVER, Houston Chronicle, April 25, 2008)

With virtually no discussion, the state's Higher Education Coordinating Board voted unanimously Thursday to deny a request by a Bible-based school and research institute to offer a master's degree in science education.

This is similar to the California issue, right Wand?