Posted on 06/06/2005 2:49:58 PM PDT by CHARLITE
A new front has opened up in the debate over evolution and creationism in Utah, with a proposal to require the teaching of divine design in public schools.
State Senator Chris Buttars (R-West Jordan) has agreed to take the lead in pushing new legislation on the teaching of divine design, also known as intelligent design, in conjunction with evolution in schools.
Buttars is supported by a strong conservative lobby, headed by the Eagle Forum, which has previously sought the inclusion of divine design in the public school science curriculum.
School officials argue that any laws requiring the teaching of divine design could be found in violation of the separation of church and state under the First Amendment.
Supporters of the proposal contend, however, that divine design is not the same as creationism. Unlike creationism, divine design simply acknowledges that the world is so complex, its development must have been guided by some higher power. Proponents do not specify who that higher power is.
Currently, public schools in Utah are required to teach evolution, but not alternative theories. Some teachers have independently chosen to introduce the topics of creationism or divine design in their classrooms.
The issue of what to teach in schools regarding evolution has been an ongoing debate. Recent cases have gained nationwide attention.
In May, the Kansas Board of Education held hearings to decide on new science standards. A three-member committee heard arguments from proponents of intelligent design and evolution. Last week, written arguments from both sides were submitted to the Board. The Board is expected to decide on new standards by the end of the summer.
One of the most publicized cases last year concerned evolution disclaimer stickers that were placed on the cover of ninth grade science books in Atlanta, Georgia. The stickers said that “evolution is a theory, not a fact,” and warned students that “material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered.”
Six parents filed a suit against the Cobb County School District, charging that the stickers violated the separation of church and state. The school district argued that the stickers were meant to open up discussion on the topic of evolution and alternative theories of the origin of life.
In January, a federal judge ordered the stickers to be removed. The school district began removing stickers from over 30,000 books in May, although an appeal is pending on the judge’s ruling.
The new proposal in Utah is yet another iteration of the creation-evolution debate. The issue is expected to be brought up when the next legislative session begins in January.
Comments: susan@christianpost.com
I dont think so. Your words are meaningless. do more research....or more correctly do SOME research.
Your response failed to properly address the issue...Unlike evolution, gravity is observeable. Additionally, expirements as to gravity's existence can be repeated inumerable times with the same results. I am not aware of anyone who opposes the teaching of gravity in public school science classes.
Public school scienece classes, with their fully naturalistic evolutionary teaching, stray from science into the realm of philosophy, which is not science.
What... You don't like Christian defenses, just athiestic or naturalistic ones?
You're just "preachin" a different religion.
More research on which topic?
Yes of course...Like Dr. Crick's theory that aliens seeded the earth via rocket ships.
The conventional war was won the day "science" was added to make the phrase "creation science".
It's pretty obvious that someone has respect envy.
I preach no religion nor do I worship at the foot of a technological marvel. But if the facts are there and real and tangible, then I am not preaching a religion but passing along fact. Now if you can find me those bronze age sandle wearers, you know, the ones who transcribed the WORD. and sit them down for a little powwow, you will find that you have been listening to a bunch of superstitius sheep herders who have the crap scared out of them everytime a comet rises in the sky or the earth shakes a little bit. So one group of these sandle wearers throws virgins into the volcanoes and another group might sit down and right a tome to try to explain existence...at least until its time to stone someone to death for saying the word 'God' or eating milk and meat at the same meal.
correction: the word was 'write'
Revelation 4:11
See my profile for info
Evolutionists must be starting to feel the way Hirohito and Tojo did in 44 as one island base and then another and another and another fell to the Americans. Kind of like the world caving in on you.
The purpose of Creationism is to discredit and destroy the Conservative Movement.
This type of design may be quite divine, but it certainly isn't intelligent.
Or maybe Nissan.
Oh please. There's plenty of fossil records out there. Go look at PatrickHenry's links.
Bottom line, the case for evolution is proven.
As is the case that someone such as yourself can perpetually close their eyes to the facts.
You will never open them, so why should I bother to try to help you see?
( P ) Pronunciation Key (r
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re : re-, re- + concilire, to conciliate; see conciliate.] on·cilement n.on·ciler n.on·cili·a·tory (-s
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r) adj.
I've seen no proof of that, but I wouldn't be surprised either. If we could track the money flowing into the Discovery Institute, it might illuminate some things.
But one fact is sure, there are plenty of "useful idiots" following this junk. Just like the early days of the environmental movement.
I'll bet there's even more money in selling creationism than selling environmentalism.
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