Evolutionists, Atheists Admit Defeat in Texas

[LastManOut]

Evolutionists, Atheists Admit Defeat in Texas
by Christine Dao*

After months of hearing debates over Texas science education standards, the 15-member State Board of Education voted to remove the requirement for teachers to teach the “strengths and weaknesses” of scientific theories, such as evolution, and instead adopted a requisite for students to critically analyze and evaluate “all sides of scientific evidence.”

The board voted 13-2 in favor of the new curriculum requirements, which state:

In all fields of science, analyze, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations by using empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and experimental observation and testing, including examining all sides of scientific evidence of those explanations so as to encourage critical thinking by the students.

However, despite meeting their goal to get the “strengths and weaknesses” language dropped from the standards, Darwinists have rejected Texas’ effort to “encourage critical thinking by students.”

“This is a setback for science education in Texas, not a draw, not a victory,” said Eugenie Scott, Executive Director of the pro-evolution lobbyist group National Center for Science Education.1

“Having students ‘analyze and evaluate all sides of scientific evidence’ is code that gives creationists a green light to attack biology textbooks,” said NCSE project director Josh Rosenau.1

But isn’t analyzing and evaluating what science is all about? Are not scientists supposed to thoroughly examine scientific evidence in order to come to a solid and indisputable conclusion? And isn’t fostering critical thinking among students the aim of all classroom teaching, particularly in public science education? Why would anyone, regardless of worldview bias, want to deny students the opportunity to critically think and follow the evidence wherever it may lead?

The issue isn’t merely academic, but has applications to all areas of scientific endeavor. If a scientist developed a pharmaceutical drug, wouldn’t patients want to be assured that the drug had been thoroughly analyzed for its drawbacks as well as its benefits? If an aircraft designer engineered a new wing design, wouldn’t pilots and passengers want to know that the data from the flight tests underwent intensive scrutiny to find possible dangers before implementation on real airplanes?

The new standards will take effect for the 2010-2011 school year. This makes Texas one of seven other states that specifically require students to critically analyze scientific theories, including Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. Two states, Mississippi and Louisiana,2 have passed academic freedom measures for teachers and students to discuss scientific evidence critical to Darwinism. This may be a “setback” for supporters of evolution, but it is a victory for science.

References

1. Science setback for Texas schools. National Center for Science Education press release, March 30, 2009.
2. Dao, C. Louisiana the Only State to Promote Academic Freedom (So Far). ICR News. Posted on icr.org on July 23, 2008, accessed April 1, 2009.

* Ms. Dao is Assistant Editor at the Institute for Creation Research.

Article posted on April 3, 2009.

This article was originally published April, 2009. "Evolutionists, Atheists Admit Defeat in Texas", Institute for Creation Research, http://www.icr.org/article/evolution...s-admit-defeat (accessed April 03, 2009).

[ScaredOnce]

In the long run, Jesus-freak-BS like this is probably more detrimental to US (& human) progress than anything else. Didn't they do terrible things which ruined kids' futures like this in Waco too? Must be a Texas thing...

These idiots' next headline: "Mitosis & Meiosis a Myth! Actually, Cells Proven to Divide only by the Hand of God... Just like the Red Sea - ASK MOSES!"


Ptolemy was right too... relative to an observer spinning in circles, standing at the center of the Earth (that's where Hell is...) is able to scientifically prove the geocentric universe; though, the observer's ancestors singing in the Heavens are difficult to see... schade...

See? 12 years of Catholic school taught me something. The hot chick in a plaid mini-skirt and thigh-highs is most likely to hook up with you in a church parking lot if you stole some beer off her dad...

WATCH THIS BEFORE READING/POSTING:

[LastManOut]

Lets see, before 1964 religion was allowed in the public square and schools. We would be able to drive to schools with our shotgun hangin in the rear window of the work Chevy pick-up. Not lock the doors while we were in school. Pregnancy among high school girls was about 2%. The biggest reason for detention was smoking cigaretts in the boysroom.

Today prayer is verboten and what type of society do we have now?

[ScaredOnce]

Lets see, before 1964 religion was allowed in the public square and schools.

WWJD?

We would be able to drive to schools with our shotgun hangin in the rear window of the work Chevy pick-up.

WWJD?

Not lock the doors while we were in school. Pregnancy among high school girls was about 2%.

WWJD?

The biggest reason for detention was smoking cigaretts in the boysroom.

WWJD?

Today prayer is verboten and what type of society do we have now?

Clearly, prayer would have prevented the above sociological dilemmas.

[JoeWilliams]

In the long run, Jesus-freak-BS like this is probably more detrimental to US (& human) progress than anything else. Didn't they do terrible things which ruined kids' futures like this in Waco too? Must be a Texas thing...

These idiots' next headline: "Mitosis & Meiosis a Myth! Actually, Cells Proven to Divide only by the Hand of God... Just like the Red Sea - ASK MOSES!"


Ptolemy was right too... relative to an observer spinning in circles, standing at the center of the Earth (that's where Hell is...) is able to scientifically prove the geocentric universe; though, the observer's ancestors singing in the Heavens are difficult to see... schade...

See? 12 years of Catholic school taught me something. The hot chick in a plaid mini-skirt and thigh-highs is most likely to hook up with you in a church parking lot if you stole some beer off her dad...

Well, your hatred and bigotry for Christians aside, prove that the Humanist religion being taught in schools is correct. Not theory, not guesses... show me some proof.

Facts are, there is no such proof, and even Darwin said that the Humanism that had perverted his studies required more FAITH than Christianity does.

As for Waco, you are being dishonest by stating it was somehow religion that burned the place to the ground, when in fact it was a government ran by people that sounded a lot like you that murdered those men, women, and children. A government that has failed to provide ZERO proof of it's allegations in the case, and bulldozed the place when defense attorneys asked to have access. And the agents weren't from Texas, so once again you are proven wrong. It's not a Texas thing.

[ADerhammer]

Personally I think that Evolutionism is what should be taught in schools, religion is instilled by family. By the time that they are in Highschool I think that kids are able to make their own decision as to what they follow. I know kids in my school that are from very religious families but they decide to accept atheism because it seems more logical to them.

[Philbert]

The issue isn’t merely academic, but has applications to all areas of scientific endeavor. If a scientist developed a pharmaceutical drug, wouldn’t patients want to be assured that the drug had been thoroughly analyzed for its drawbacks as well as its benefits?

Absolutely, but the FDA would make that decision by surveying the scientific literature. When creationists can gather convincing evidence and make their case in that forum, there will be reason to discuss their ideas in science class.

There's no way that the FDA is going to take advice from the website of phoney "Research" institutes who issue non-accredited degrees. School boards should follow suit.

[JoeWilliams]

Personally I think that Evolutionism is what should be taught in schools, religion is instilled by family. By the time that they are in Highschool I think that kids are able to make their own decision as to what they follow. I know kids in my school that are from very religious families but they decide to accept atheism because it seems more logical to them.

Why would you want Humanism taught in schools, which it currently is, but no other religions? That is a violation of the Constitution. The fact that it continues to be allowed, in violation of the Constitution, doesn't change the fact the government is endorsing and establishing religion in schools with, as you yourself said, the aim and result of proselytizing children to the Humanist or Atheist religions. And yes, the courts have held Atheism to be a religion.

I would think a person with any respect at all for the Constitution would want ALL religions out of schools, and only proven facts taught.

[Perkascene]

Religion must stay at least 1000ft away from science.

[keryst]

I would think a person with any respect at all for the Constitution would want ALL religions out of schools, and only proven facts taught.

Define "proven facts" please.