Biology textbook hearings prompt science disputes [Texas]

Knight Ridder Newspapers ^ | 08 July 2003 | MATT FRAZIER

[PatrickHenry]

FORT WORTH, Texas - (KRT) -
The long-running debate over the origins of mankind continues Wednesday before the Texas State Board of Education, and the result could change the way science is taught here and across the nation.

Local and out-of-state lobbying groups will try to convince the board that the next generation of biology books should contain new scientific evidence that reportedly pokes holes in Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

Many of those groups say that they are not pushing to place a divine creator back into science books, but to show that Darwin's theory is far from a perfect explanation of the origin of mankind.

"It has become a battle ground," said Eugenie Scott, executive director of theNational Center of Science Education, which is dedicated to defending the teaching of evolution in the classroom.

Almost 45 scientists, educators and special interest groups from across the state will testify at the state's first public hearing this year on the next generation of textbooks for the courses of biology, family and career studies and English as a Second Language.

Approved textbooks will be available for classrooms for the 2004-05 school year. And because Texas is the second largest textbook buyer in the nation, the outcome could affect education nationwide.

The Texas Freedom Network and a handful of educators held a conference call last week to warn that conservative Christians and special interest organizations will try to twist textbook content to further their own views.

"We are seeing the wave of the future of religious right's attack on basic scientific principles," said Samantha Smoot, executive director of the network, an anti-censorship group and opponent of the radical right.

Those named by the network disagree with the claim, including the Discovery Institute and its Science and Culture Center of Seattle.

"Instead of wasting time looking at motivations, we wish people would look at the facts," said John West, associate director of the center.

"Our goal nationally is to encourage schools and educators to include more about evolution, including controversies about various parts of Darwinian theory that exists between even evolutionary scientists," West said. "We are a secular think tank."

The institute also is perhaps the nation's leading proponent of intelligent design - the idea that life is too complex to have occurred without the help of an unknown, intelligent being.

It pushed this view through grants to teachers and scientists, including Michael J. Behe, professor of biological sciences at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. The Institute receives millions of dollars from philanthropists and foundations dedicated to discrediting Darwin's theory.

The center sent the state board a 55-page report that graded 11 high school biology textbooks submitted for adoption. None earned a grade above a C minus. The report also includes four arguments it says show that evolutionary theory is not as solid as presented in biology textbooks.

Discovery Institute Fellow Raymond Bohlin, who also is executive director of Probe Ministries, based in Richardson, Texas, will deliver that message in person Wednesday before the State Board of Education. Bohlin has a doctorate degree in molecular cell biology from the University of Texas at Dallas.

"If we can simply allow students to see that evolution is not an established fact, that leaves freedom for students to pursue other ideas," Bohlin said. "All I can do is continue to point these things out and hopefully get a group that hears and sees relevant data and insist on some changes."

The executive director of Texas Citizens for Science, Steven Schafersman, calls the institute's information "pseudoscience nonsense." Schafersman is an evolutionary scientist who, for more than two decades, taught biology, geology, paleontology and environmental science at a number of universities, including the University of Houston and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

"It sounds plausible to people who are not scientifically informed," Schafersman said. "But they are fraudulently trying to deceive board members. They might succeed, but it will be over the public protests of scientists."

The last time Texas looked at biology books, in 1997, the State Board of Education considered replacing them all with new ones that did not mention evolution. The board voted down the proposal by a slim margin.

The state requires that evolution be in textbooks. But arguments against evolution have been successful over the last decade in other states. Alabama, New Mexico and Nebraska made changes that, to varying degrees, challenge the pre-eminence of evolution in the scientific curriculum.

In 1999, the Kansas Board of Education voted to wash the concepts of evolution from the state's science curricula. A new state board has since put evolution back in. Last year, the Cobb County school board in Georgia voted to include creationism in science classes.

Texas education requirements demand that textbooks include arguments for and against evolution, said Neal Frey, an analyst working with perhaps Texas' most famous textbook reviewers, Mel and Norma Gabler.

The Gablers, of Longview, have been reviewing Texas textbooks for almost four decades. They describe themselves as conservative Christians. Some of their priorities include making sure textbooks include scientific flaws in arguments for evolution.

"None of the texts truly conform to the state's requirements that the strengths and weaknesses of scientific theories be presented to students," Frey said.

The Texas textbook proclamation of 2001, which is part of the standard for the state's curriculum, Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, requires that biology textbooks instruct students so they may "analyze, review and critique scientific explanations, including hypotheses and theories, as to their strengths and weakness using scientific evidence and information."

The state board is empowered to reject books only for factual errors or for not meeting the state's curriculum requirements. If speakers convince the state board that their evidence is scientifically sound, members may see little choice but to demand its presence in schoolbooks.

Proposed books already have been reviewed and approved by Texas Tech University. After a public hearing Wednesday and another Sept. 10, the state board is scheduled to adopt the new textbooks in November.

Satisfying the state board is only half the battle for textbook publishers. Individual school districts choose which books to use and are reimbursed by the state unless they buy texts rejected by the state board.

Districts can opt not to use books with passages they find objectionable. So when speakers at the public hearings criticize what they perceived as flaws in various books - such as failing to portray the United States or Christianity in a positive light - many publishers listen.

New books will be distributed next summer.

State Board member Terri Leo said the Discovery Institute works with esteemed scientists and that their evidence should be heard.

"You cannot teach students how to think if you don't present both sides of a scientific issue," Leo said. "Wouldn't you think that the body that has the responsibility of what's in the classroom would look at all scientific arguments?"

State board member Bob Craig said he had heard of the Intelligent Design theory.

"I'm going in with an open mind about everybody's presentation," Craig said. "I need to hear their presentation before I make any decisions or comments.

State board member Mary Helen Berlanga said she wanted to hear from local scientists.

"If we are going to discuss scientific information in the textbooks, the discussion will have to remain scientific," Berlanga said. "I'd like to hear from some of our scientists in the field on the subject."

[Aric2000]

LOL, what is REALLY funny about that, is a very good freind of the family is a Jesuit priest, and damn right they are!! LOL

[Stultis]

Indeed the whole idea that 'need' cretes change in species is ridiculous.

Yeah, that's why they all laughed at Lammark. So, how much you paying for eggs up there in the Yukon?

[ALS]

"Seems to me we're all happier going our separate ways, worshiping as we choose. It's the American way. You worship as you choose and I'll worship as I choose."

sounds reasonable, until you compare that with an earlier statement by you...

"This is what happens when you tell people that they can read the Bible and figure it all out for themselves. Endless iterations of heresy."

[bondserv]

Thanks Aric, I am glad we have so much in common.

Hope you are well.

[bondserv]

Great quotes, Thanks.

[Stultis]

A couple more:

"It is often easier for our children to obtain a gun than it is to find a good school."
~~~Joycelyn Elders

"Maybe that's because guns are sold at a profit, while schools are provided by the government."
~~~David Boaz

[Aric2000]

I have a similar problem with atheists on this forum. I tend to classify atheists in three groups. The first group doesn’t believe but doesn’t mind if you do. The second wants to convince you and will argue in a respectful manner. The third group really hates God, they aren’t trying to persuade anyone. I decline to engage or encourage the third type.

Agreed, but I have the same sort of problem with Fundamentalists, and your three could be used to match up with them as well, only a little different wording.

I respond to you in the same way that you respond to me, you treat me with respect, and therefore I treat you the same way, we may not agree, but I respect your opinion greatly, and your right to have that opinion.

I love your posts, and I love your passion.

Keep it up Alamo, maybe others will learn from you.

[ALS]

evo-backpeddling placemarker

[CobaltBlue]

Jesuits are really cool, IMO. Very smart, well educated, tough, but compassionate.

I think we should all respect anyone who's doing good work, which does not mean tearing others down.

[Aric2000]

This is what I mean ALS, when someone gives a little, you ATTACK.

Be happy that they have gotten more specific, instead of attacking them because of you thinking that they are being inconsistent.

It's bad form and it starts flamewars, and just basically pisses people off, which I think is your main goal in life.

If you would just be happy with the fact they gave an inch, you might be amazed at how civil these threads would become again.

[Aric2000]

I like those quotes a LOT!!!

[ALS]

really

what did you give me? Nearly every post you've made is a slur directed at me. Who do you think you are kidding?

anyone?

[Aric2000]

See my post 1770 ALS.

I really do feel for you, to live with that much anger all the time must be tough on you and your family.

Good thing you can let it off here on us evo's without physical dnager, otherwise who knows when you might crack.

[CobaltBlue]

Yes, ALS, I do think that reading the Bible all by yourself without input from theologists and Biblical scholars can lead you very far astray.

We all have free will, which means we have to make up our own minds, but it also means that we are responsible for our own mistakes.

We don't let our children just sink or swim. And when it comes to religion we're all somewhat naive and easily led astray.

In my opinion, there's a reason that the Church of Billy Bob only has 34 brethren, and it's not a good reason.

Christ gave us the light to follow. If you find that you are the only person on earth following your particular light, it just might be a sign that you've headed off the path and are lost in the bushes and the brambles.

Calling another grown man a "peeing chihuahua" just might be a sign that you're off the Lord's path.

Just a thought.

[Aric2000]

I don't give you an inch ALS because you are NOT trustworthy.

I give an inch and you attack me, I explain a little, and you attack me, I ask a question, you answer with another question and or an attack.

Your credibility is shot to hell, when you start acting like a respectful human being that can actually have a coherent conversation without attacking the person you are responding to, besides those that agree with you, then perhaps I will respond to you in kind, but so far you have proven that you are NOT trustworthy and will attack me in any way shape or form you can.

So what is it exactly that I owe you?

Answer: Nothing

Until you can rebuild your credibility, which I do NOT see happening ANY time soon, I will respond to you in kind or ignore you.

In your case, Ignoring is the best option.

[ALS]

Lemme tellya sumthin' buddy.

You whackjobs have enjoyed years of fundie bashing, christian bashing, people who don't believe in darwin bashing, and you were no holds barred until you got your little bum handed to you on a silver platter, now you want to pretend like you've "cut me slack"?

Given me something? You insult the intelligence of even your own with that claim.

You wanna know what will get me to stop putting you in your place on a daily basis?

End the bashing. I get emails daily from members on FR that agree with what I'm doing. I'm sure not everyone does, but there was a big problem before I and many others decided to hand back the medicine spoon. Many threads ago an offer was made to end this, and it was laughed at.

The threat to conservatism, at least on FR, are people like you that pretend you are the majority and you are not.

Learn a lesson from some of the others that can't deal with the embarassment they bring on themselves and get a clue.

If you and your ilk really wanted peace, you would give up the game against christians, period!

[ALS]

"See my post 1770 ALS."

1770 refers to 1767, and in that you reserve a special group of "fundies" you can still bash. Pretending to take Alamo-Girl's position is utterly ridiculous.

YOUR record betrays you.

[ALS]

"I don't give you an inch ALS because you are NOT trustworthy.

I give an inch and you attack me"

well which is it son?

You do or you don't?

Fact is, you don't.

Playing the xylophone for the crowd here won't change a thing.

[BJungNan]

We only fool ourselves when we say we know how the world started. What kind of nonsense is it that they are including in textbooks that purports to know.

[ALS]

To: ALS

Yes, ALS, I do think that reading the Bible all by yourself without input from theologists and Biblical scholars can lead you very far astray.

We all have free will, which means we have to make up our own minds, but it also means that we are responsible for our own mistakes.

We don't let our children just sink or swim. And when it comes to religion we're all somewhat naive and easily led astray.

In my opinion, there's a reason that the Church of Billy Bob only has 34 brethren, and it's not a good reason.

Christ gave us the light to follow. If you find that you are the only person on earth following your particular light, it just might be a sign that you've headed off the path and are lost in the bushes and the brambles.

Calling another grown man a "peeing chihuahua" just might be a sign that you're off the Lord's path.

Just a thought.


1,774 posted on 07/13/2003 12:38 AM CDT by CobaltBlue

---

ha! seek help

And coming from a whacko that lied to an admin just to get attention, your credibility is worse than nothing.