Posted on 10/16/2005 8:04:42 AM PDT by Crackingham
It's been a decade since former Gov. Fob James impersonated an ape to mock Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. He did it during a heated meeting as the state Board of Education wrestled with the selection of science textbooks. Many science books had been declared unacceptable by conservative Christian groups that had packed the meeting to protest what they charged was the presentation of evolution as fact.
The board decided to require placement of a disclaimer in the front of every biology textbook, declaring evolution "a controversial theory." That move - the first of its kind by any state - mollified the anti-evolution forces but angered many in the scientific community, who warned the disclaimers would discourage the teaching of one of the pillars of scientific thought.
The state school board will again take up adoption of a new set of science textbooks next month. State Superintendent Joe Morton expects the board to continue the use of disclaimers on evolution.
The controversy over the teaching of evolution is not unique to Alabama.
President Bush has praised the teaching of intelligent design, which holds that creation is so complex that an unseen force must have been behind it.
In Pennsylvania, a trial is under way in federal court over a lawsuit filed by eight families who want the Dover school district to stop teaching intelligent design in science courses.
The Kansas Board of Education has battled for years over the issue, voting at one time to ban the teaching of the theory of evolution and then doing an about-face and reinstituting its teaching when the board changed hands. In Cobb County, Ga., a lawsuit is pending over anti-evolution textbook disclaimers that go beyond those used in Alabama.
Morton and other Alabama education leaders dismiss concerns that textbook disclaimers have hurt the teaching of good science.
"Honestly, the only time I get any questions about it is from reporters," Morton said. "I think it has served a purpose and, while obviously I can't know every teacher's mind, I don't think most of them have been impeded or stopped from teaching all the relevant things a student needs to know about biology."
"not if your a student in public shool!
"
I see. Those pesky, leftist, atheist teachers want you to believe that "your," as used in your sentence, should be "you're" and that "shool" should be "school." Of course, if you're talking about a Jewish religious school, that would be "shul," but I don't think that's what you're talking about.
"but I don't think that's what you're talking about'
Sorry, there are other things to do in life besides try to get a point regarding the need for faith using only words in proper English, and with correct grammar that might be approved by an English professor for a students masters thesis. But in any case, it seems like though it worked out ok, because it took a little faith in practice here for you to believe that you knew what I was not talking about; and in the end you were right!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.