Posted on 09/30/2005 7:45:00 AM PDT by PatrickHenry
The Campaign to Defend the Constitution, a group organized to promote the teaching of evolution, sent letters Thursday to all 50 governors, urging them to ensure that science classes teach material based on established science.
The letters were signed by more than 100 scientists and clergy of various faiths, the group said.
Although Gov. Ed Rendell had not received the letters as of Thursday afternoon, spokeswoman Kate Philips said he is committed to the idea of teaching evolution in science classes.
Rendell "believes that (intelligent design) is more than appropriate to be taught in religion classes, but has no room in science classes in public schools," Philips said. "But this is in the court's hands now, and other than his opinion, he has no influence."
But a spokeswoman for DefCon, the group's nickname for itself, said the group hopes that after governors receive the letter, they will make a public announcement opposing the teaching of intelligent design.
"It would be nice if (Rendell) took a stance and said, whether it's in the Dover district or any other Pennsylvania district, 'We need to protect the teaching of science in our science classrooms,'" Jessica Smith said.
The group named Dover its top "Island of Ignorance" in the country. It has targeted areas in the country where it says evolution is being challenged at the state level or in public school science classrooms. They include Cobb County, Ga.; Kansas; Blount County, Tenn.; Ohio; Grantsburg, Wisc.; Alabama; Utah; South Carolina; and Florida.
Advocates of intelligent design say life is so complex that it is likely the result of deliberate design by some unidentified creator, not random evolutionary mutation and adaptation.
Critics say it is essentially creationism and violates the separation of church and state when it becomes part of a public school curriculum.
"We can do better when we let science do its job, and ask religion to do its job," former ACLU executive director Ira Glasser said Thursday, "and if there's a need for conversation, please, let's not do it in the classrooms of our children."
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"We can do better when we let science do its job, and ask religion to do its job," former ACLU executive director Ira Glasser said Thursday, "and if there's a need for conversation, please, let's not do it in the classrooms of our children."
We certainly shouldn't have conversations in classrooms! And just knowing the ACLU is on the case makes me feel so much better!
Bruce Alberts, former President of the National Academy of Sciences
Francisco Ayala, former President and Chairman of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
Ira Glasser, former Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union
Rev. James Lawson, former President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference
Harold Varmus, former Director of the National Institutes of Health
Erwin Chemerinsky, Professor of Constitutional Law, Duke School of Law
Hmmmm....wonder what his non KKK constituents think of this.
Name calling is all you have left? Yahoos? Just because people believe God created the universe and all that is in it? Sounds like what liberals resort to when they are losing.
"Name calling is all you have left? Yahoos? "
You don't think there are Yahoos on school boards? Perhaps we are thinking of two different sets of Yahoos.
Have you actually looked at the folks on your local school board? Have you ever attended a school board meeting. It's Yahoos from wall to wall, on one side or another.
It's very amusing...watching the evolutionists running about screeching like scalded cats because someone dares to introduce (gasp) different ideas...everybody knows, after all, that theoretical evolution closes the door on all there is to ever discuss about origins...the utter nerve of those 'yahoos'...
Where is Clarence Darrow to fight for the rights of those who are so gauche as to question the 'preponderance of opinion'?
Only the opinions of those who believe in the theory of evolution count.
Amazing how he's an expert on so many things.
I don't get it.
Different ideas, yes. Let's put alchemy in chemistry class. The kids can figure it out for themselves. Phrenology can go somewhere. keithtoo has a nice Harun Yahyah muslim indoctrination site to sell you, while we're at it. Allahu Akhbar!
Scientific merit doesn't belong in there as a consideration at all, you're right.
"I don't get it."
Regardless of how one feels specifically on the issue, This statement is moronic.
You at least haven't lost your incredible sense of humor, MineralMan. You can still make me laugh.
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