Posted on 03/05/2006 10:14:04 AM PST by OrthodoxPresbyterian
Evolution bill stirs debate on origin of life, religion
TIM TALLEY
Associated Press
OKLAHOMA CITY - While other states are backing away from teaching alternatives to evolution, the Oklahoma House passed a bill Thursday encouraging schools to expose students to alternative views about the origin of life.
The measure, passed on a 77-10 vote, gives teachers the right to teach "the full range of scientific views on the biological or chemical origins of life." The measure stops short of requiring the teaching of "intelligent design" alongside the theory of evolution in science classes.
Its author, Rep. Sally Kern, R-Oklahoma City, said evolution is taught in some classrooms as if it were scientific fact although the theory, developed in the 19th century by Charles Darwin, is neither observable, repeatable or testable and is not solid science.
"They are getting a one-sided view of evolution," said Kern, a former teacher. "Let's teach good, honest science."
Critics said the lessons would be more appropriate in religion or philosophy classes than in science class. They said the measure would take control from local school boards on developing lesson plans and violates the constitutional prohibition on government endorsement of specific religious views.
"I think we're about to open a slippery slope here," said Rep. Danny Morgan, D-Prague. In December, a federal judge blocked attempts to teach intelligent design in high school biology classes in Dover, Pa.
"We're going to be right back in the courthouse," Morgan said.
Kern said her bill does not promote a particular religious point of view but promotes critical thinking by students by exposing them to all sides of a scientific debate.
"This bill is not about a belief in God. It is not about religion. It is about science," Kern said. "I'm not asking for Sunday school to be in a science class."
Evolution teaches that all organisms are connected by genealogy and have changed through time through several processes, including natural selection.
Intelligent design teaches that life is so well-ordered that it must have been created by a higher power. Critics argue that the theory is merely repackaged creationism, which teaches that the Earth and all life were created by God.
Supporters said exposing students to different viewpoints will create lively classroom debate.
"Do you think you come from a monkeyman?" said Rep. Tad Jones, R-Claremore. "Did we come from slimy algae 4.5 billion years ago or are we a unique creation of God? I think it's going to be exciting for students to discuss these issues."
Opponents said alternative theories on the origin of life are a matter of faith, not science. "God truly is the creator of heaven and Earth, but I can't prove that," said Rep. Al Lindley, D-Oklahoma City.
The bill now goes to the state Senate, where similar legislation has been defeated in the past.
On Tuesday, lawmakers in Utah defeated a bill requiring public school students be told that evolution is not empirically proven. In Ohio, school curriculum is undergoing change following the Pennsylvania ruling that intelligent design should not be taught alongside evolution in public schools.
Kansas has adopted language to encourage students to explore arguments against evolution, but the standards have not been tied to any lesson plans or statewide testing.
http://webserver1.lsb.state.ok.us/2005-06HB/HB2107_int.rtf
"Every public school teacher in the State of Oklahoma, shall have the affirmative right and freedom to present scientific information pertaining to the full range of scientific views in any curricula or course of learning.... The rights and privileges contained in the Academic Freedom Act apply when topics are taught that may generate controversy, such as biological or chemical origins of life." (etc.)
Archive.
All those against evolution - raise your tails ant throw a coconut at the vote counter. 77 coconuts.
Teaching the full range of scientific views on evolution will delay high school graduation by half a dozen years.
I guess they anticipate teaching something compatible with Genesis, but they will have to dig pretty deep to find peer-reviewed publications giving them what they really want.
Even the ID advocates accept common descent, so what do these guys expect to be taught as an alternative?
What process or mechanism required by evolution has not been observed?
Um... the origin.
Macroevolution is not a process; it is the result of an accumulation of changes. Evolution does not involve any large changes from one generation to another. No parent ever gives birth to a child of a different species. That is Hollywood evolution. No biologist in the last century has suggested such a thing happens.
Um... that's abiogenesis, not evolution.
They better watch out! A federal judge has decided there is NO FREEDOM for local school districts to set curriculum.
Origin of what? The origin of life is not addressed by evolution.
But let me ask a question. Where are you going to go with this argment when molecular biology eventually presents a naturalistic scenerio for biogenesis?
I don't expect to live long enough to see this, but your children might. How are you preparing them for advances in science?
I'll ask you the same question. How are you preparing your children for advances in science?
It seems rather risky to say that molecular biology will never understand biogenesis. What will happen to the faith of your children or grandchildren when things you say are impossible become routine?
:>)
"EVOLUTION" is a proven thing. Just ask some of the people here on FR...who will gladly point out that those who ask questions....who have some doubt about "EVOLUTION"....are really stupid.
redrock
Teachers are unskilled in their art, classrooms have little discipline, and subjects such as ebonics, new math, and phonetic spelling have taken over. The teacher's unions love this as they get more tax money and better salaries and benefits.
Perhaps you'd like to state the number. Preferably as a percentage of bologists.
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