Posted on 02/27/2004 12:04:20 PM PST by Michael_Michaelangelo
OKLAHOMA CITY (CNHI) — The Oklahoma House passed a bill Monday that would require public school textbooks that discuss evolution to include a disclaimer stating that it is a controversial theory and not fact.
Rep. Bill Graves successfully included the language in House Bill 2194, a measure that originally changed the format for Braille versions of instructional materials.
“I think so many of the textbooks make it appear that evolution is a scientific fact and it’s not,” said Graves, R-Oklahoma City. “Even the U.S. Supreme Court says it’s a theory, so I was just trying to make that clear.
“I think it’s very important for children to know,” Graves said. “If they just believe that they came from some slime in a swamp that’s a whole lot different from being created in the image of God.”
According to the bill, any state school district textbook that discusses evolution would have to include a disclaimer that states, in part, “This textbook discusses evolution, a controversial theory which some scientists present as scientific explanation for the origin of living things, such as plants and humans. No one was present when life first appeared on earth. Therefore, any statement about life’s origins should be considered as theory, not fact.”
The disclaimer goes on to state, “Study hard and keep an open mind. Someday you may contribute to the theories of how living things appeared on earth.”
The bill passed on a 96-0 vote and now heads to the Senate.
Officials with the State Department of Education did not return a phone call seeking comment.
Sean Murphy is the Capitol Bureau reporter in Oklahoma for Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc. He can be reached at smurphy@cnhi.com.
You have redefined the issue to support your contention.
Originally you put up the entire theory of evolution against the heliocentric nature of the solar system -- or so I interpreted your post, and perhaps I was mistaken in your intent -- and now you're talking about "animals changing over time" and the entire scope of planetary motion.
How does that occur? There are several good ideas, but that's a far from settled point.
Precisely, teach the theory, the good ideas, and make it clear what is solid and what is speculative.
The difference is between science saying or implying "[science proves] God doesn't exist" and saying or implying "God may or may not exist, we aren't going there".
How is that any more a gap in the heliocentric model than in the geocentric?
For that matter, why is that even a gap at all? What would cause the orbits to be unstable?
I agree with what you wrote but have you ever heard of a teacher saying such a thing to a class? Is this really an issue? Is it necessary for the OK house to pass a bill preventing teachers from getting on all fours and barking like a dog also?
Ah, I said "Teach the theories" and some say "the theories" to mean creationism and evolution.
No, I was defending as not entirely illogical the placement of a disclaimer in textbooks by the legislature regarding the treatment of scientific theory, though not the idea of limiting it to evolution or even using a disclaimer as the means.
My only worry is there won't be enough time for real biology while the class learns about 100,000 creation myths.
Yes, I think it is an issue in many classrooms, at least in public schools. The liberal worldview that invades many schools includes an anti-religious bias. The question of evolution and what that means in relation to religious belief comes up when this topic is covered, I expect, and my teachers treated it fairly; I suspect some others would not.
What the legislature, or school board, should do about it is difficult to say. Keeping a close eye on the curricula, I suppose, take a good look at the textbooks (probably comes up more in history and whatnot than science) and be responsive to student and parental complaints.
I agree with you. In a biology class, evolution is pretty much fact. When studying cosmology (the study of the origin of the universe including life), evolution is theory (in that the theory of evolution does not even try to address the origin of life). In the realm of philosophy, evolution and creationism have equal footing. The article says nothing about teaching creationism is the school. I just think it is pretty funny watching Evo-Reactionaries overreact.
Pointing out that evolution as an explanation for the origin of life is merely a theory encourages students to THINK IT OUT rather than spoon feeding them theories as fact basically telling them to not bother thinking about it since it has already been figured out.
I will say some are using measures like this to push for the teaching of creationism in biology class - I am against that. But pointing out that evolution is a theory and not fact is the truth and nobody should fear the teaching of truth to children.
So you are claiming a student that understands evolution is a theory and not proven fact makes them unable to have career in science. This is REALLY funny stuff.
This textbook disclaimer nonsense if taken seriously automatically puts OK kids at a disadvantage.
The disclaimer states the truth. Why do you fear the truth?
It's amazing how ignorant the lost are...pray for the Truth.
IF necessary, yes. Pretending theories are facts limits ones ability to question and learn. If we used Right Wing Professor's logic hundreds of years ago we would assume the earth is flat is a fact and not bother thinking about it again.
In my opinion, any college level student who does not accept that the theory of evolution is the only scientific explanation which is supported by the tremendous amount of objective evidence should not pursue a major in the sciences.
This is pretty funny.
The disclaimer only states that evolution is a theory not proved fact.
You are strongly against the disclaimer.
Above you state evolution is a theory.
You statements are not consistent.
As for your claim "the only explanation..." that is merely your personal opinion. Science should never deal in the realm of opinion. The Earth being flat used to be the only scientific explanation which was supported by the tremendous amount of objective evidence...see where that got us in the continuum of learning.
Since evolution finds its starting point at "hell if I know" or "a miracle happened" - I don't think it is time to turn off thinking and assume we have it all figured out.
ever tried praying for snow in june? you'll get the same results: nothing.
I have a friend who lives in Colorado. Last year it snowed in June. Guess your theory is faulty.
Evolutionary theory is no more deserving of a disclaimer that any other subject taught in school. Why aren't folks clamoring for a disclaimer on atomic theory? Or Newtonian Physics?
As for your claim "the only explanation..." that is merely your personal opinion.
Kindly direct me to another scientific explanation.
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