Nonsense. Theories are what make it possible for us to think creatively. And we get nowhere if we're constantly wondering about the truth of our premises. If every time I get a discordant result, I consider the possibility that the atomic theory might not be correct, that perhaps electrons don't really exist, that maybe the Coulomb force law doesn't depend on the inverse second power of distance, etc., how far would I get? The answer is, nowhere.LVD, do you see how you and we are both right, but we're arguing past each other? Science teachers always tell the students that all theories are theoretically disprovable. That's the basis of all modern science. I doubt very much that Oklahoma science teachers are neglecting to mention that to their students.If one assumes theories are facts, theories will never be challenged and nobody will think outside the box. If you pretend theories are facts, you are not praticing science.
But at the same time, for any given era, with its body of accumulated knowledge, there is a core group of mainstream theories that form the basis for all of that era's science. Given what they know at the time, these theories tend to be mainstream for the excellent reason that they have survived many attempts at falsification. They are robust and useful. And whole disciplines depend on them being true.
Again the question is: What do we teach HS students in the first or second biology class they encounter in their lives? Do we throw at them every agenda-driven pseudoscientific theory that anyone has ever come up with in the name of "diversity" or "open-mindedness" or "thinking outside the box"? Or do we first make sure they have a solid grounding in what theories actual current working scientists know and use in their real-life jobs today, and why?
Personally I think it would be fine to have an upper-class or graduate level college course that explores fringe biology theories like ID. At that point the students would truly understand what it is that the insurgent theory is trying to overthrow. But we'd really do the students a disservice to just throw competing theories at them when they don't understand why the current mainstream theories are accepted by so many scientists already.
I've said it before and I'll say it again - we need to get the D*ms to realize that creationists are a minority in need of affirmative action. It wasn't that long ago that they were backing creationism and the GOP represented pointy-headed intellectuals (think of the Scopes trial)
This is nothing more than a red herring. The thread is about a disclaimer that states the theory of evolution is a theory not fact. Many evo-reationaries assume the theory of evolution is fact and it explains the origin of life in factual terms - both statement are false - that is the only topic of this thread. Some of you are defending your beloved theory with the same fervor of a jihadist
Personally I think it would be fine to have an upper-class or graduate level college course that explores fringe biology theories like ID. At that point the students would truly understand what it is that the insurgent theory is trying to overthrow. But we'd really do the students a disservice to just throw competing theories at them when they don't understand why the current mainstream theories are accepted by so many scientists already
Well I pretty much agree with most of what you are saying - that makes it even stranger that you felt it necessary to call me a "creationist" and to trot out your little anti-creationists diatribe (earlier). I found this reactionary and fairly paranoid response by die-hard evolutionists strange - I guess you guys see "god-loving creationists" hiding under your bed just waiting to devourer your beloved theory. An armature psychiatrist might think you guys glean your comfort and security from your beloved theory and any possible or merely perceived assault on your beloved theory must be addressed with the fervor of the zealot.
You guys need to apply a bit of perspective. Let me illustrate:
Take a football field. Now take about 100 dinner napkins and strew them about the football fields. Now – it would be absurd for me to claim there are no napkins on the football fields but it would be equally absurd to claim the entire field is covered by napkins. The football field is the complete theory of evolution and the napkins are the current scientific evidence.
At that point the students would truly understand what it is that the insurgent theory is trying to overthrow.
Overthrowing and insurgency is in the minds of people – theories don’t rebel nor do they recognize man-made hierarchy therefore they are incapable of overthrowing.