Posted on 09/29/2005 11:51:48 AM PDT by Tailgunner Joe
Oral arguments began this week on a lawsuit by 11 parents in Dover, Pa., seeking to reverse the local school boards decision to teach intelligent design in the systems biology classes. The school board argues that its decision is an issue of academic freedom.
But the 11 parents reply that the intelligent design curriculum is a strategy by the Christian right to repackage creationism in order to smuggle it into the public schools in violation of the First Amendment requirement for separation of church and state.
The trial in a Harrisburg, Pa., court is being called Scopes II, referring to the famous trial of classroom teacher John Scopes in Dayton, Tenn., in 1925. Scopes had dared to teach his students Charles Darwins theory of evolution by natural selection. Scopes case was brilliantly argued by civil liberties lawyer Clarence Darrow and the teaching of evolution as the pillar of modern biology was upheld.
Today, the ultra-right has launched a renewed war against science. George W. Bush claims that global warming is unproven even as hurricanes like Katrina and Rita are linked to rising temperatures in the Caribbean. He blocks funding of stem cell research, which could lead to cures to Parkinsons and other diseases.
In the nations schools, intimidation is so serious that a survey by the National Science Foundation found that a majority of high school biology teachers fear reprisal if they teach evolution.
Meanwhile, proponents of intelligent design plead that they simply want their science taught on an equal basis. They are lying. If they get their foot in the door, their next step will be to outlaw the teaching of evolution.
Even more is at stake here than science itself. The ultra-right has seized on the teaching of evolution as a wedge issue to advance their overall ideological agenda.
In defending science, these 11 parents in Dover are defending democracy.
They deserve all the solidarity we can give them.
Does the Bible indicate we descended from apes?
" JOKE and a total fabrication..."
Yes your invention of new people not mentioned in Genesis is a joke, now stop pinging me. I wasn't talking to you. Evolution doesn't have anything to do with you, remember? :)
"Does the Bible indicate we descended from apes?"
No, the physical evidence (the Creation) does. The Bible says we descended from two people, which is genetically impossible. It's not a science book.
Why do you believe it is genetically impossible for humans to descend from humans? Why do you believe we descended from apes? What will humans evolve into next?
Do you believe God created humans as separate and unique creatures?
"Do you believe God created humans as separate and unique creatures?"
Every individual organism is unique. Even asexually reproducing microorganisms are not completely identical. Obviously as I am arguing for evolution I believe in common descent.
And I believe in creation by God. That's what's great - we can all believe as we choose.
"And I believe in creation by God."
So do I, and so do most evolutionists.
"Teaching Intelligent Design in the schools is part of a whole Christian Fascist movement in the United States that has power and prominence in the government, from the Bush regime on down." - Revolutionary Worker Online
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