44 replies to this topic

[zomberina]

Okay, I'm still working on my breathing exercises at the moment to keep my emotions somewhat at bay.

First, if you all didn't know what a bible papered state Indiana is, you are blessed to NOT be one of its residents/neighbors.

Secondly, I realize this is highly unconstitutional, and will likely be repealed, but I'm just pissed how they snuck this in to a Transportation Bill!

Thirdly, here is my "other" internet home where debate gets VERY thick on social issues, and an excerpt and link to the original article is there for your review...http://www.iheartcha...gion-in-science

Fourthly, if you hate links, I will break it down Barney style without committing copyright infringement...

A couple days ago, the Indiana Senate passed a bill (senate bill 89) that essentially says it is okay for schools to go over some of the origins of man in religious texts if it is touched upon in class. I would think that one would see we already can do this in schools today, but in SOCIAL STUDIES. Still, I don't have an issue with the ability to create an elective course in a high school for comparative religions. What bothers me is that the cosponsor for this bill, a Senator Dennis Kruse, is the current Speaker of the House. Even worse, this asshat is saying he hopes this will bring creationism to be taught in SCIENCE class.... This man has called evolution a "Johnny-Come-Lately theory" type of belief. I am fairly sure he doesn't even know what the definition of 'theory' is. Even more breathtakingly stunning is that originally, they had worded this bill to mainly support creation science, but then they all backtracked and opted to add in additional religions including SCIENTOLOGY. Yeah, I want my kid to learn about lizard men and thetans....WTF!!!!!

Ironically, this has already been faced in court under the Edwards v. Aguillard case, where it was deemed unconstitutional to teach this tripe in a classroom as a science. Kruse is hoping a school district will take on the court AGAIN, and that the court will IGNORE the precedent and just revisit Edward....

The original wording of the bill was as follows, "The governing body of a school corporation may require the teaching of various theories concerning the origin of life, including creation science, within the school corporation." The next day they rewrote it to say, "The governing body of a school corporation may offer instruction on various theories of the origin of life. The curriculum for the course must include theories from multiple religions, which may include, but is not limited to, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Scientology." What bothers me is that they do not make it MANDATORY to cover ALL origin beliefs...which would be IMPOSSIBLE to do, because within a single religion, there are multiple versions of belief.... It's bad enough that many teachers already talk about the origin stories in science class without even considering the legalities and ethical nature of their actions..

Oh, and they only debated for 20 minutes before quietly passing this bill through....

[BrotherJosh]

Funny, how Christians have a habit of using manipulative and deceitful tactics to advance their agenda. Similar things have been done before via the legislative or court process.

Just curious, did they add Flying Spaghetti Monster to the list of religions? Hopefully, the young children will be exposed to his noodly love.

[LivingLife]

How the fuck did you folk ever become a super power?? (generalising of course)

[Foxy Methoxy]

Indiana is not a global superpower.

[mymistake]

How the fuck did you folk ever become a super power?? (generalising of course)

We lived too far away back when the Allies and Axis were fire bombing each other's cities. It was a pure coincidence.

[Foxy Methoxy]

Really? A generalization of all America based on a law in a state known for cornfields and having the largest Baptist church in the world?

[zomberina]

Funny, how Christians have a habit of using manipulative and deceitful tactics to advance their agenda. Similar things have been done before via the legislative or court process.

Just curious, did they add Flying Spaghetti Monster to the list of religions? Hopefully, the young children will be exposed to his noodly love.

For me, on the whole, this really unethical. Period. I hope this asshole gets his seat jerked out from under him and sued by the state of Indiana after the school systems go even more bankrupt for paying all the lawsuits they will lose.

[BrotherJosh]

@Zomberina

PZ Meyers has a good post about it -

http://freethoughtbl...na-legislature/

[Suzy]

"Creation science"? Such an oxymoron.

[BrotherJosh]

I propose we start teaching alternatives to sex education as well. There are other theories out there you know. Storktelligent design, Cabbage Patch Theory...kids should be allowed to make up their own minds.

[Foxy Methoxy]

Hey! The cabbage patch theory is valid. Don't be oppressin' my beliefs.

[mymistake]

I propose we start teaching alternatives to sex education as well. There are other theories out there you know. Storktelligent design, Cabbage Patch Theory...kids should be allowed to make up their own minds.

And teach magic alongside physics. Kids have the right to decide for themselves which it right. And teach alchemy alongside chemistry. And astrology alongside astronomy.

Edit:
I just read the Open Letter to Indiana Legislature. Does the bill really state " . . . theories from multiple religions, which may include, but is not limited to, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Scientology."

If I were a science teacher in Indiana I would immediately start teaching Flying Spaghetti Monsterism with pirate jig and all.

Edited by mymistake, 02 February 2012 - 07:26 PM.

[Foxy Methoxy]

I propose we start teaching alternatives to sex education as well. There are other theories out there you know. Storktelligent design, Cabbage Patch Theory...kids should be allowed to make up their own minds.

And teach magic alongside physics. Kids have the right to decide for themselves which it right. And teach alchemy alongside chemistry. And astrology alongside astronomy.

Suddenly school is no longer boring!

[Legion]

Here's my two cents for what it's worth.

Of course evolution should be taught in schools. And so too should physiology. And I also think kids should be made aware that some teachings will be in conflict with what their parents and churches are saying. I think they should be prepared for it. And perhaps even some excursions into philiosophy, specifically epistemology, so that they have some idea of how knowledge is granted the status of being knowledge.

[scitsofreaky]

This just seems weird to me. Why do they think this wont be fought eventually? When was the last time anything like this was upheld after being challenged?

Here's my two cents for what it's worth.

Of course evolution should be taught in schools. And so too should physiology. And I also think kids should be made aware that some teachings will be in conflict with what their parents and churches are saying. I think they should be prepared for it. And perhaps even some excursions into philiosophy, specifically epistemology, so that they have some idea of how knowledge is granted the status of being knowledge.

And maybe Superman will teach gym.

[Legion]

Here's my two cents for what it's worth.

Of course evolution should be taught in schools. And so too should physiology. And I also think kids should be made aware that some teachings will be in conflict with what their parents and churches are saying. I think they should be prepared for it. And perhaps even some excursions into philiosophy, specifically epistemology, so that they have some idea of how knowledge is granted the status of being knowledge.

And maybe Superman will teach gym.

I like the tone Scitso, but I don't understand the message. You think it's too much to expect of teachers and students or something?

[ConureDelSol]

As idiotic as creationism is, I don't have a problem with my future kid(s) learning about it as long as they don't teach it as FACT. If they teach both evolution and creationism as fact then there are going to be some confused children out there. Although, I'm guessing they're trying to throw out evolution.

I don't mind learning about creationism from a "this is what some people believe but you don't have to believe it" point of view. If they do it from a "this is the TRUTH!" perspective I'll make sure to barf on the teacher.

[zomberina]

See I learned about Osiris and Zeus in Social Studies...why doesn't Yaweh fit in there next to Mohammed?

[midniterider]

Get creationism and algebra OUT OF OUR SCHOOLS! haha