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Evolution Suffers Kansas Setback
BBC ^ | 9 Nov 2005 | Staff

Posted on 11/09/2005 6:32:26 AM PST by Our_Man_In_Gough_Island

The US state of Kansas has approved science standards for public schools that cast doubt on evolution. The Board of Education's vote, expected for months, approved the new language criticising evolution by 6-4.

Proponents of the change argue they are trying to expose students to legitimate scientific questions about evolution.

The Kansas decision came as voters in Pennsylvania replaced all eight school board members who approved a similar policy in some of the state's schools.

Since October 2004, schools in Dover, Pennsylvania, have been obliged to read out a prepared statement on intelligent design in biology classes.

Teachers have been ordered to tell pupils that Darwin's theory of evolution is unproven, and that the universe is so complex that it may have been created by a higher power.

Last month parents in Dover sued the school board, accusing it of introducing religion and creationism into schools, in breach of the US constitutional separation of church and state.

Definition of science

Tuesday's vote in Kansas was the third time in six years that the Kansas board has rewritten standards with evolution as the central issue.

Current state standards treat evolution as well-established, a view held by national science groups.

We are all for intelligent design being discussed, but we do not want to see it in biology class

The new standards include several specific challenges, including statements that there is a lack of evidence or natural explanation for the genetic code, and charges that fossil records are inconsistent with evolutionary theory.

It also states that says certain evolutionary explanations "are not based on direct observations... and often reflect... inferences from indirect or circumstantial evidence".

"This is a great day for education," board chairman Steve Abrams told the Reuters news agency.

Decisions about what is taught in Kansas classrooms will remain with 300 local school boards, but the new standards will be used to develop student tests measuring how well schools teach science.

Educators fear pressure will increase in some communities to teach less about evolution or more about creationism or intelligent design.

'Theory, not science'

In Dover, the first US district to introduce intelligent design into schools, new school board members are thought likely to repeal the policy.

"We are all for it being discussed, but we do not want to see it in biology class," said Judy McIlvaine, a new board member.

"It is not a science."

The case against the intelligent design policy was heard in a federal court case which ended last week.

A verdict is expected early next year.


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events; Philosophy; US: Kansas; US: Pennsylvania
KEYWORDS: astrologyisnext; bibleidolatry; canceronconservatism; creationism; crevolist; evolution; kansas; scienceteaching; shamanism
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I am personally more interested in this event as a news item than with regard to the philosophies of science that underly the new law.
1 posted on 11/09/2005 6:32:28 AM PST by Our_Man_In_Gough_Island
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To: Our_Man_In_Gough_Island
"This is a great day for education," board chairman Steve Abrams told the Reuters news agency.

Yeah, for the education of the countries that are competing agaisnt us on the world stage it sure is.

2 posted on 11/09/2005 6:35:22 AM PST by RogueIsland
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To: Our_Man_In_Gough_Island

Kansas, home to the three most mis-named towns. Garden City, Goodland and Liberal.


3 posted on 11/09/2005 6:44:44 AM PST by Leg Olam ("There is no Hell. There is only France." F. Zappa)
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To: Our_Man_In_Gough_Island

The sad thing is that a that so called learning institutions have to be ordered to even consider all options


4 posted on 11/09/2005 6:47:33 AM PST by apackof2 (There are 2 theories to arguing with a woman... neither works. Will Rogers)
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To: apackof2
learning institutions have to be ordered to even consider all options

Yes, all part of the conspiracy. Why don't they teach about the Flat Earth Theory? Or the Humours Not Germs Theory of disease?


5 posted on 11/09/2005 6:50:41 AM PST by orionblamblam ("You're the poster boy for what ID would turn out if it were taught in our schools." VadeRetro)
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To: orionblamblam

That a ludicrous but predictable response from the usual suspects


6 posted on 11/09/2005 6:57:40 AM PST by apackof2 (There are 2 theories to arguing with a woman... neither works. Will Rogers)
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To: apackof2

> That a ludicrous but predictable response

Perhaps you'de prefer the teaching of "Welcome to the Matrix Theory?"


7 posted on 11/09/2005 6:58:49 AM PST by orionblamblam ("You're the poster boy for what ID would turn out if it were taught in our schools." VadeRetro)
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To: orionblamblam

Seems to me that I did learn about that stuff when I was in school, along with alchemy. But I was also taught why it was no longer believed and given the scientific proofs for it. Same can be done here.


8 posted on 11/09/2005 7:00:30 AM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: orionblamblam

"Why don't they teach about the Flat Earth Theory?"

I wouldn't mind that at all, as long as they are showing just what kind of 'nuts' the Flat Earthers are.

Kids are not stupid. No matter what you try to feed them.


9 posted on 11/09/2005 7:12:58 AM PST by Bigh4u2 (Denial is the first requirement to be a liberal)
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To: metmom

> But I was also taught why it was no longer believed and given the scientific proofs for it. Same can be done here.

*Can*, yes. *Will* they teach why science has long since rejected the silliness of Creationism? Given that the explicit purpose behind these shenanigans is to wedge religion into the classroom... I rather doubt it.


10 posted on 11/09/2005 7:16:03 AM PST by orionblamblam ("You're the poster boy for what ID would turn out if it were taught in our schools." VadeRetro)
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To: orionblamblam

By not covering creationism in schools, it appears that they can't prove it's wrong. Nobody is expecting creation to be taught as science, but it is going to come up in class anyway. Even if the teachers don't address it, the students probably will. Everyone knows about the controversy and science's best defense would be to have some good answers.


11 posted on 11/09/2005 7:19:25 AM PST by hyperkitty (The ability to speak does not make you intelligent, now get out of here.)
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To: Our_Man_In_Gough_Island
Kansas Suffers Evolution Setback
12 posted on 11/09/2005 7:19:27 AM PST by dr_lew
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To: Bigh4u2
I wouldn't mind that at all, as long as they are showing just what kind of 'nuts' the Flat Earthers are.

Will they be showing what kind of 'nuts' these Fundies are? Especially since these Fundies control the funds? (and since the Fundies use the same Everything You Need To Know About The Physical Universe Handbook as many of the Flat-Earthers?)

Kids are not stupid. No matter what you try to feed them.

Really? Hmmm...


13 posted on 11/09/2005 7:19:43 AM PST by orionblamblam ("You're the poster boy for what ID would turn out if it were taught in our schools." VadeRetro)
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To: hyperkitty
By not covering creationism in schools, it appears that they can't prove it's wrong.

By not covering Norse creationism in schools, it appears that they can't prove it's wrong.


14 posted on 11/09/2005 7:22:00 AM PST by orionblamblam ("You're the poster boy for what ID would turn out if it were taught in our schools." VadeRetro)
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To: orionblamblam
OK, so you're an Athiest.
Thanks for sharing.
15 posted on 11/09/2005 7:31:04 AM PST by Psalm 73 ("Gentlemen, you can't fight in here - this is the War Room".)
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To: orionblamblam

You post 965.25 KB worth of crap and I'm supposed bow to your intellect? Go Big bang yourself.


16 posted on 11/09/2005 7:32:26 AM PST by bluecollarman
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17 posted on 11/09/2005 7:32:38 AM PST by Michael_Michaelangelo (The best theory is not ipso facto a good theory. Lots of links on my homepage...)
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To: orionblamblam

Attacking someone's credibility by attacking their character or questioning their intelligence, is no "proof" that they are wrong. If science doesn't have a better defense than that, they are in trouble. Shouldn't they be using facts instead?


18 posted on 11/09/2005 7:32:52 AM PST by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: Junior

Archival ping.


19 posted on 11/09/2005 7:38:34 AM PST by PatrickHenry (Reality is a harsh mistress. No rationality, no mercy)
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To: Psalm 73

> OK, so you're an Athiest.

Errr. WRONG. Thanks for sharing.


20 posted on 11/09/2005 7:40:30 AM PST by orionblamblam ("You're the poster boy for what ID would turn out if it were taught in our schools." VadeRetro)
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