Evolution issue tips board’s balance [Kansas school board election]

Lawrence Journal-World (Kansas) ^ | 02 August 2006 | Sophia Maines

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"Why do you constantly run this canard when it is patently false?"

You've already hit on the answer, grasshopper.

[freedumb2003]

Footprints in the rice paper.

[Non-Sequitur]

Hopefully job 1 will be to get rid of the creationist standards. But job 2 has to be to fire the hack that they hired as Education Commissioner.

[Non-Sequitur]

Losing candidate's statement: "I'm melting ... melting!!

And one last round of Connie and Cathy's theme song:

I could while away the hours
Conferrin' with the flowers
Consultin' with the rain
And my head, I'd be scratchin'
While my thoughts were busy hatchin'
If I only had a brain.

[js1138]

...but the barn walls are already falling all around it.

Evolution has been about to fall every year since 1859.

[RogueIsland]

“Obviously money can’t buy elections,” she said. “I think the people of Kansas are tired of being the laughingstock not only of the nation but the world.”

That's a bit harsh. I'm sure they had the Vedic Creationists and Scientologists pulling for them.

[dmz]

Just the typical losers refrain ... I lost 'cuz they cheated, lied, etc.

[srmorton]

In NC, all high school students are required to take Biology. There are few, if any, philosophy courses offered at the high school level.

I teach Biology at our local Community College . Believe me, in the Bible Belt you will are not able to discuss evolution without any reference to creationism because at least one student will ask you about it in class. You can not respond to them in the arrogant, condescending manner of many of the comments in this thread. When you offend some of the deepest held beliefs of your students, their minds will be closed to whatever information you have to give them.

I think both sides should remember that both creationism and evolution are theories. Since no one was there when it all happened, there is no way to PROVE either one of them beyond a shadow of a doubt so IMO there should be room to discuss them both in a rational manner.

[js1138]

I have no interest in preventing teachers from discussing anything relevant to the subject, and science does conflict with a literal reading of many Biblical passages.

What I object to is non-scientists in government agencies mandating flat-earth theories as reasonable alternatives to established science.

Why not teach the controversy concerning two plus two. after all, didn't Gödel prove that arithmetic is incomplete?

[HayekRocks]

I think both sides should remember that both creationism and evolution are theories.

Yes, evolution is a scientific theory. Is it your position that creationism is a scientific theory?

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"I think both sides should remember that both creationism and evolution are theories."

Creationism is a theological claim, evolution is a scientific theory. They are not the same kind of thing.

"Since no one was there when it all happened, there is no way to PROVE either one of them beyond a shadow of a doubt so IMO there should be room to discuss them both in a rational manner."

Science doesn't deal in proof. That being said, evolution has been supported beyond any reasonable doubt.

Creationism doesn't deserve to spend time in a science class as anything but a failed theological claim.

[js1138]

Yes, evolution is a scientific theory. Is it your position that creationism is a scientific theory?

It would be interesting to see the reaction if creationism WERE treated as a scientific theory in science class. Let's put Genesis on the dissecting table and teach the controversy. Teach critical analysis, using Genesis as the casebook.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Darwin won.

Observation supports the conclusion that Darwin usually wins.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Well, the place for them to teach their alternatives is in SUNDAY school.

[Lunatic Fringe]

Face it, PH. Your side lost by having to turn to seedy politics and the thugs of the ACLU to protect "science" from scientific inquiry. History will record that you were disgraced.

Claiming victory after a sound defeat? Decided to adopt Democrat talking points, I see...

[hawkaw]

This is good news for the science classroom.

I don't understand why you have to be labeled a moderate conservative to understand how science works and how the scientific theories of evolution work.

[dmz]

So don't condescend. Suggest only the truth. Creationism is not a topic for biology class, and if you have any additional questions, check with your parents, pastor, minister, priest, or whatever.

Straight to the point, honest, and respectful of everyone's sensibilities.

[DoctorMichael]

.........Evolution opponents lose control of Kansas Board of Education.........

Praise the Lord!

[srmorton]

Creationism is a theory in the sense that it is an attempt by man to explain the world around him. I work with a great guy who is an atheist who, like many evolutionists, present it to their students as fact. That was really my point - that evolution is a theory and not fact. BTW, you might be surprised to learn that there is scientific evidence that supports creationism. I didn't really realize that there was until one of my students lent me his copy of The Answer Book. I can't remember the author's name and I can't get Amazon.com to come up to check it for you.

[trashcanbred]

"I’d like to say to the good citizens of Dover Kansas: if there is a disaster in your area, don’t turn to God, you just rejected him from your city school board," Robertson said.

I wonder what curse Pat will be putting on Kansas for its crime.