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Biology textbook hearings prompt science disputes [Texas]
Knight Ridder Newspapers ^ | 08 July 2003 | MATT FRAZIER

Posted on 07/09/2003 12:08:32 PM PDT by 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."


TOPICS:
KEYWORDS: crevolist
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To: ThinkPlease; PatrickHenry; general_re
"Parade of very, very agitated, Wildly Elliptical, self-confessed Tractionless Trolls" placemarker
2,861 posted on 07/15/2003 11:08:46 AM PDT by longshadow
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To: Aric2000
Isn't it a whole lot -- completely totalitarian forcing your atheist ideology -- rants on a a country that was meant to be secular theists - neutral ...

now totally PRO ANTI - thiest ---

forced - monopoly is called TYRANNY !

Your rhetoric - agenda ...

btw ---

truth never included murder -- arrogance --- so much ego - pride - BIAS - hate of GOD - America - conservatism !

Sneaky aren't you !
2,862 posted on 07/15/2003 11:13:26 AM PDT by f.Christian (evolution vs intelligent design ... science3000 ... designeduniverse.com --- architecture !)
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To: longshadow
"Get that thru your head. I don't give a flip what you think about my community - you don't live here and you have no right to tell us how to live. Get that thru your thick skull."

Christian-love-as-expressed-by-exmarine-placemarker
2,863 posted on 07/15/2003 11:13:27 AM PDT by whattajoke
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To: Lurking Libertarian
Hitler, of course, was not "inspired" by Christianity to kill Jews; he was using words that he thought would appeal to his audience. But just as Hitler's appeal to Jesus doesn't discredit Christianity, his appeals to "science" do not discredit evolution.

I am really inspired by this thread. Although it is periodically interrupted by flame wars, It has more excellent posts than average.

2,864 posted on 07/15/2003 11:24:33 AM PDT by js1138
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To: whattajoke
The evo FR elite with knives ...

here to save the fr from the ' flat earthers ' bible believers who reject their modern satanic ways ---

want to establish their monopoly - TYRANNY on the fr for their STRANGE false gods - religion - science !

science political PERVERTS !
2,865 posted on 07/15/2003 11:25:34 AM PDT by f.Christian (evolution vs intelligent design ... science3000 ... designeduniverse.com --- architecture !)
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To: js1138
Due to prosecutorial and media hyper activism ... i.e. --- waco ---


a lot of innocent people were persecuted and still are being punished by witch justice --- mass hysteria --- just like evolution perverting and attacking science // america // fr like a career criminal enterprise that it is !
2,866 posted on 07/15/2003 11:31:00 AM PDT by f.Christian (evolution vs intelligent design ... science3000 ... designeduniverse.com --- architecture !)
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To: Lurking Libertarian
But just as Hitler's appeal to Jesus doesn't discredit Christianity, his appeals to "science" do not discredit evolution.

You're in big trouble now! The hard-core creationoids sit back and wait for posts like that one. You know how they love to take things out of context and distort the meaning. Soon they'll be screeming to the mods: "They're Christian-bashing again, this time using Hitler to discredit Christianity!"

I've posted this before, and this probably isn't the last time I get to re-post it:

You can't be subtle with a literalist. Nor sarcstic. Nor can you use analogies. Nor can you use a reductio ad absurdum argument. They really do take everything literally (unless they don't want to, but then it's okay). They get offended very easily. It is actually their pleasure to get offended, so they can imagine they're engaged in a battle with evil. And they love any pretext to hit the abuse button.

Therefore, you have to use simple, declarative sentences, and don't ever get too abstract. Never use humor; they just don't get it (unless it's at the level of "evolutionist falls into a manhole, hahahaha"). If you follow this advice, you won't have to apologize any more over contrived misunderstandings.

2,867 posted on 07/15/2003 11:39:29 AM PDT by PatrickHenry (Felix, qui potuit rerum cognoscere causas.)
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To: js1138
Perhaps the Creationists are really Gray Lady Intern trainees.
2,868 posted on 07/15/2003 11:41:08 AM PDT by Doctor Stochastic (Vegetabilisch = chaotisch is der Charakter der Modernen. - Friedrich Schlegel)
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To: PatrickHenry
The post office makes a lot of money on stamps that never circulate - go anywhere ...

the govt public schools - science too ---

that is what you are !

Evo loop - tyranny ... big business --- conspiracy !!
2,869 posted on 07/15/2003 11:45:29 AM PDT by f.Christian (evolution vs intelligent design ... science3000 ... designeduniverse.com --- architecture !)
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To: Doctor Stochastic
Evos ... flat brainers covered in mush --- particle board - glue science !

Mesermized chained audience ... cattle prods --- gas // chloroform - lobotomists !
2,870 posted on 07/15/2003 11:51:45 AM PDT by f.Christian (evolution vs intelligent design ... science3000 ... designeduniverse.com --- architecture !)
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To: PatrickHenry
Since I post with lurkers as my intended audience, I really don't care what the opposition dredges up. As I have said befor, there are only three creo posters who ever bring science to the table, there are a few who can engage in a sensible discussion about political or philosophical matters, and the rest just stand at the sidelines and hoot.

The issue of the "guilt" of science could be interesting in the hands of an honest person, but when your witnesses are marxists, you admit defeat in advance. I am, however, indebted to gore and ALS for forcing out actual Darwin quotes on the subject of slavery. Just as I am indebted to gore for finding articles that support evolution when actually read.

2,871 posted on 07/15/2003 11:52:29 AM PDT by js1138
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To: PatrickHenry
Ultimately // SOON ...

God // science will convincingly devastate - destroy all superstition and the 1st to go will be evolution (( tiny fish in a mud puddle )) ---

science - technology3000 ... designeduniverse.com --- architecture !
2,872 posted on 07/15/2003 11:53:58 AM PDT by f.Christian (evolution vs intelligent design ... science3000 ... designeduniverse.com --- architecture !)
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To: Doctor Stochastic
We seem to have encountered a tag team. One is out to lunch and the other is busy, shovel in hand.
2,873 posted on 07/15/2003 11:58:02 AM PDT by js1138
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To: js1138
Liberals - evos are going to 6 way blindsided --- SMASHED !

Evolution is an urban legend popular among the unscientific who don't know a theory from fact !

Real science is coming ... designeduniverse.com --- evolution is a fraud pepetuated by the ignorant !

Just reading the Bible the founding fathers plainly knew this beast would arrive and cover - tyrannize the nation but we would have to deal with it ... so we are -- will !

designeduniverse.com ... the obituary of evolution penned by freepers ...

yours truly !
2,874 posted on 07/15/2003 11:58:27 AM PDT by f.Christian (evolution vs intelligent design ... science3000 ... designeduniverse.com --- architecture !)
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To: Stultis
My brother lives in the Las Vegas area. The valley's elevation increases as you travel north. The Mountains surrounding the valley a very jagged. Along the base, maybe 1000-2000 feet above the valley floor, there is a 1000 to 2000 foot mound of dirt that runs the length of the valley.

The mound is pushed up against the mountains on the low side of the valley and appears to have been deposited by a massive water flow running down the valley. There are rock outcroppings, maybe 200 feet high toward the middle of the valley, away from the mountains, that consistently have large mounds of buildup on the low side, but wiped clean on the high side.

For me this valley exhibits water flow that could push massive amounts of mud up against a mountain range all the way down a 50 mile long valley.
2,875 posted on 07/15/2003 12:03:27 PM PDT by bondserv (Alignment is critical.)
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To: PatrickHenry
I know we don't read effdot's posts, but in scrolling through them the last month or so, I noticed references to something amazing that was coming.

I now realize that he was speaking of designeduniverse.com rather than the stellar ignition of Jupiter for the benefit of Europans. I am attempting to contain my disappointment.

Nevertheless, I'd say it is a strategic error for an ID site to post links to actual science articles. Someone might read them. The difference in tone and quality between articles written by scientists and those written by pscientists is self evident.

2,876 posted on 07/15/2003 12:09:07 PM PDT by js1138
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To: bondserv
For me this valley exhibits water flow that could push massive amounts of mud up against a mountain range all the way down a 50 mile long valley.

And how long for that mud to turn to stone? I always thought this was a legitimate line of research for creationists, determining by experiment how long it takes for stone to form from sediment and for organic materials to fossilize.

2,877 posted on 07/15/2003 12:12:24 PM PDT by js1138
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To: js1138
What I write - PUBLISH will be on the presidents desk the same day ...

around the world a thousand x 's in one hour --- too bad !

2,878 posted on 07/15/2003 12:12:48 PM PDT by f.Christian (evolution vs intelligent design ... science3000 ... designeduniverse.com --- architecture !)
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To: js1138
What else can you reasonably call people who quote marxists to prove that Darwin supported slavery?

Are the quotes fictitious, or is it a question of viewpoint?

2,879 posted on 07/15/2003 12:15:10 PM PDT by AndrewC
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To: js1138; ALS
Thanks. Looks like ALS cribbed the concatenation, although maybe he is the author. Best as I can tell neither letter is available on the net, though I may check more later. (Neither are in Francis Darwin's Life and Letters or More Letters, both available in complete form on the net.) Here are the entries from Darwin Correspondence Online Database:

Oops, well actually I'm having trouble making out the citation in Desmond and Moore for the first letter ("beyond the bounds of true science," quoted on pg 456 in their book). It should be from June of 1858, according to the chronology of their text, but there doesn't seem to be a letter that fits from that time, and it sounds to me, from the portion quoted, like it may have been shortly after Darwin informed Gray of his views on evolution, which was sometime before that. I'll try to sort it out.

Here is the entry for the second letter ("mere rag of an hypothesis"):

2466: Darwin, C. R. to Huxley, T. H., 2 Jun [1859?]
Summary: THH should understand that CD's hypothesis [natural selection] has as many flaws and holes as sound parts. The question is whether CD's rag of a hypothesis is worth anything. A poor rag is better than nothing to carry one's fruit to market.

2,880 posted on 07/15/2003 12:18:26 PM PDT by Stultis
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