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."
Maybe it only devolves into name calling with you?
I seem to remember you first saying something about me being "nasty". I don't think I was nasty. Perhaps you don't like the points I'm making and you find it impossible to counter them. But I don't think I was ever nasty until you accused me of being so.
And you first called me "nasty".
No, I can't pursuade you of anything so I won't "get my way".
But it's you who are worse off for it.
So it is OK for you to entertain the notion that races are different in intellect, but for someone to think so in 1859 makes them a racist?
If all the races were created by God, then why did it take 6000 years for any believer to notice that slavery is evil, and why, in the entire Bible, did not one prophet take a moment from his busy schedule to say so? Why did it take people like Darwin to notice that slavery is evil?
Really evolution doesn't have any affect on me - I'm long out of school and I no longer have kids in public school. I just don't understand the harm in pointing out weaknesses in your precious theory. Of course I still have the right to an opinion whether you agree with it or not. We are all free to be wrong.
Who were the slaves in the Bible? Jews. And you make assumptions (not good for the scientific type you claim to be) that simply aren't true. I said I found the Bell Curve interesting. I didn't say why or what parts I found interesting. Take a step back and breathe deeply. The world won't come to an end because people disagree about science.
Of course your theory is demonstrably false. How can I be so sure? Each generation, mitochondrial DNA develops random mutations, but it does so at a constant rate. We can compare individuals mtDNA and tell how many generations ago they shared a common ancestor. If what you are saying is correct, all cats should share a common ancestor within the last 6000 years.
They don't.
Which parts did you find interesting?
Why should I tell you? What difference does it make? Have you read the book?
When a slave owner strikes a male or female slave with a rod and the slave dies immediately, the owner shall be punished. But if the slave survives a day or two, there is no punishment; for the slave is the owner's property. (Exod. 21:20-21)Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be blasphemed. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful to them on the ground that they are members of the church; rather they must serve them all the more, since those who benefit by their service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these duties. Whoever teaches otherwise and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that is in accordance with godliness, is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid craving for controversy and for disputes about words. From these come envy, dissension, slander, base suspicions, and wrangling among those who are depraved in mind and bereft of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. (1Tim. 6:1-5)
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, in singleness of heart, as you obey Christ; not only while being watched, and in order to please them, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. (Eph. 6:5-6)
Tell slaves to be submissive to their masters and to give satisfaction in every respect; they are not to talk back, not to pilfer, but to show complete and perfect fidelity, so that in everything they may be an ornament to the doctrine of God our Savior. (Titus 2:9-10)
Slaves, accept the authority of your masters with all deference, not only those who are kind and gentle but also those who are harsh. For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. (1Pet. 2:18-29)
I'm impressed. You know your Bible. So you have no problem with these passages being true but you aren't buying Genesis? Is that correct?
I have a lot of problems with the supposed moral lessons of the Bible. Why you think it can be a substitute for thinking about what is right and wrong, I can't imagine.
Be sure to bring a lunch. You may have to wait a while :)
"Wow, I certainly got cheated in my education. I was never taught Hitler was a scientist! I demand my parents' tax money back."
You were cheated in your basic reading comprehension too, because I never said he was a scientist. Or do you just like lying about what other people said?
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