Also, I don’t believe that our education system works. It hasn’t in many years. Oh sure, kids will still graduate from high school (thanks to the great “no child left behind” cluster F).

And finally, if Texas is so, so doomed, get the hell out of my state.

A blogger made a great Venn diagram about ID:

http://community.livejournal.com/atheism/1541863.html

:-p

She also insulted her boss by saying that her agency lacked “real leadership” while he was acting commissioner, so I think that he was not inclined to just give her a slap on the wrist.

I’m an elementary school science teacher in Texas. (Just opened myself up to all kinds of flames with that statement, didn’t I?)

After looking into the background of our Director of the State Board of Education, Don McLeroy, an avowed creationist, it became clear to me that what these people really want (and by “these people” I mean those who are seeking to include language in the textbooks that questions evolution) is a new definition of science, one that includes supernatural possibilities.

I wonder what would happen if we proposed to leave science alone (it’s proven to be quite fruitful as it is, thanks) but allow an optional, elective course on “Current Controversies in Science and Religion”? Do you suppose that would keep everybody happy, or would it make things worse? I dunno. It’d be pretty damn difficult to monitor the teaching of a course like that and keep it “neutral”, which is what the TEA says they want.

It does sadden me that we’re still having these fights, but rather than flee the state (as my wife and I have considered for years) we figure we’d better serve our fellow beings by remaining where we are and doing our best to serve as an example of what it looks like to keep thinking.

Wish me luck. (I’m pausing for a moment before I hit the SUBMIT COMMENT button….)

And if you want me to believe that life spontaneously began when the conditions were right… well that’s a fairy tale if I ever heard one…

The complexity of the simplest cell is far greater than that of this stupid computer I’m using to communicate with…
The information in the simplest life forms DNA (biologic OS) is far more intelligent than than Windows, OSX, Linux or any other OS out there… it actually has the capacity to error correct… instead of error create!!!

And you want me to believe that these things just form…
I’d sooner find the next 20 generations of processors fully assembled with 50 in plasma monitors laying about… in terms of chance groupings of molecules that is far more statistically probable… look at all the silicon in the world..

“I’m a molecular biologist” well then you should know how intelligent life is… for the most part… I mean the actual intelligence visible in the biologic machines… not the opinions of the finished product…

Blahzeblah blah bla… It’s just a question of what you want to believe… people get all irate over this debate defending what they want to believe… If you truly had an open mind, you would realize that neither is anymore “scientific” than the other… personally I believe in God

The Government at all levels should remain totally neutral on the subject…

Have you ever even been to Texas?

And I wasn’t implying that science classes should teach ANYTHING about god, I am not even religious (and i am a molecular biologist so of course i believe in evolution). I was only offering an idea for consideration to those who wish to retard scientific progress because of a conflict with their own moral/ethical obligations. Maybe a way for them to accept the scientific facts without comprimising their own systems of belief.

And to Henry Bemis….

Texas revolted from Mexico and freed itself….then we acquiesce and joined this lovely union.

Terminology. Creationism does NOT mean “God did it.” Creationism is a doctrine of how God did it, or at least how he didn’t do it. Creationism says independent origins of organism types (species, “kinds”, etc). Creationism says organisms were “poofed” into existence, instanenous appearance. Whether it took years or days, it is a rejection of the notion of common ancestry (all living organisms descended from one starting point) and a rejection of broad structural and functional change (“macroevolution”).

Boston ….. ever seen the fools at a pats/sox game? Would you like to be compared to those people? Would you like me to compare all new yorkers to the brash, rude, insolent characters that the sterotypes display? Should i assume all Californians are pot head, hippie children? NO NO NO…..so becuase one man tells you in a blog that texas is doomed, you shouldn’t feel the need to insult an entire state!

If those were the sorts of people elected to lead their respective states, I would be very concerned for the state as a whole. It is not a matter of stereotype. Who the people of the state choose to represent them tell you a great deal about the demographics of the state. That does not mean all people in that state are that way, it does not mean there is not good science being done there. But it does mean at least a plurality of people support the leader that has those ideas, and that leader is now implementing them.

If you look at the U.S., somewhere around 40-50% of the people in the U.S. are young-Earth creationists (probably closer to the low-40%). I am not, none of my friends are. We elected an intelligent-design proponent to be president, and re-elected him. I did not elect him, but the country did. There is a lot of great science done in the U.S. But, even being an American, I will be the first to tell you that those demographics and that election say very bad things about the country I was born and raised in. They do not say bad things about me or any other random person picked off the street (that would be the genetic fallacy). But it does say bad things about the country as a whole. When people here comment about how bad that makes the U.S. look, I can only say that it isn’t just appearances. There are serious problems that need solutions. I do not consider it an insult to me or any of my friend, it is a statement about the demographics of my country.

These events tell you something about the demographics of Texas. They don’t mean that Texas does not have great research Universities. It does not tell me any given person from Texas is a creationist. But it does carry information about Texas as a whole. It is a problem that needs solutions, just as similar problems with the U.S. as a whole need solutions.

Secondly, concerning this blog and the arguement of creationism versus the big bang…..how do any of us know what happened, maybe they BOTH happened… Maybe there is physical evidence of a big bang, and that evolution is responsible for our bieng here (both of these claims have been thouroughly supported with tangible evidence). but here is the kicker, maybe that is how creationism occured?

That is not what these people are promoting. In fact they are vocally opposed to that idea (called “theistic evolution”). These people are literalists when it comes to the first chapter of Genesis (although not the second, predictably), or at least supporters of the idea that creatures sprang out of nothingness in roughly their present form. We are discussing a very specific form of creationism that is being promoted, one that is completely and totally at odds with everything we know about the universe.

And your idea does not belong in science classes. As near as I can tell, it makes identical predictions to the scientific theories on their own yet involves adding on a whole lot of theological baggage that is not supported by the evidence. That is not science and does not belong in science classrooms. If it makes testable predictions different than other scientific theories and those predictions are supported by new evidence, then we can talk. But what you described has no place in science or science classrooms until that time.

http://www.venganza.org/about/open-letter/
“Open Letter To Kansas School Board

I am writing you with much concern after having read of your hearing to decide whether the alternative theory of Intelligent Design should be taught along with the theory of Evolution. I think we can all agree that it is important for students to hear multiple viewpoints so they can choose for themselves the theory that makes the most sense to them. I am concerned, however, that students will only hear one theory of Intelligent Design.

Let us remember that there are multiple theories of Intelligent Design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster. It was He who created all that we see and all that we feel. We feel strongly that the overwhelming scientific evidence pointing towards evolutionary processes is nothing but a coincidence, put in place by Him.

It is for this reason that I’m writing you today, to formally request that this alternative theory be taught in your schools, along with the other two theories. In fact, I will go so far as to say, if you do not agree to do this, we will be forced to proceed with legal action. I’m sure you see where we are coming from. If the Intelligent Design theory is not based on faith, but instead another scientific theory, as is claimed, then you must also allow our theory to be taught, as it is also based on science, not on faith.

Some find that hard to believe, so it may be helpful to tell you a little more about our beliefs. We have evidence that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe. None of us, of course, were around to see it, but we have written accounts of it. We have several lengthy volumes explaining all details of His power. Also, you may be surprised to hear that there are over 10 million of us, and growing. We tend to be very secretive, as many people claim our beliefs are not substantiated by observable evidence. What these people don’t understand is that He built the world to make us think the earth is older than it really is. For example, a scientist may perform a carbon-dating process on an artifact. He finds that approximately 75% of the Carbon-14 has decayed by electron emission to Nitrogen-14, and infers that this artifact is approximately 10,000 years old, as the half-life of Carbon-14 appears to be 5,730 years. But what our scientist does not realize is that every time he makes a measurement, the Flying Spaghetti Monster is there changing the results with His Noodly Appendage. We have numerous texts that describe in detail how this can be possible and the reasons why He does this. He is of course invisible and can pass through normal matter with ease.

I’m sure you now realize how important it is that your students are taught this alternate theory. It is absolutely imperative that they realize that observable evidence is at the discretion of a Flying Spaghetti Monster. Furthermore, it is disrespectful to teach our beliefs without wearing His chosen outfit, which of course is full pirate regalia. I cannot stress the importance of this enough, and unfortunately cannot describe in detail why this must be done as I fear this letter is already becoming too long. The concise explanation is that He becomes angry if we don’t.

You may be interested to know that global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters are a direct effect of the shrinking numbers of Pirates since the 1800s. For your interest, I have included a graph of the approximate number of pirates versus the average global temperature over the last 200 years. As you can see, there is a statistically significant inverse relationship between pirates and global temperature.

In conclusion, thank you for taking the time to hear our views and beliefs. I hope I was able to convey the importance of teaching this theory to your students. We will of course be able to train the teachers in this alternate theory. I am eagerly awaiting your response, and hope dearly that no legal action will need to be taken. I think we can all look forward to the time when these three theories are given equal time in our science classrooms across the country, and eventually the world; One third time for Intelligent Design, one third time for Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, and one third time for logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence.

Sincerely Yours,

Bobby Henderson, concerned citizen.

P.S. I have included an artistic drawing of Him creating a mountain, trees, and a midget. Remember, we are all His creatures.”

Of course, the hard cases need to be referred to:
http://www.landoverbaptist.com/
or
http://www.bettybowers.com/

“Bitter the jest when satire comes too near truth and leaves a sharp sting behind it” — Publius Cornelius Tacitus

Witness protection program…sorry.

I accidently killed a guy who insulted a Texan.

Hope you find a friend who’s as nasty as you someday.

Boston ….. ever seen the fools at a pats/sox game? Would you like to be compared to those people? Would you like me to compare all new yorkers to the brash, rude, insolent characters that the sterotypes display? Should i assume all Californians are pot head, hippie children? NO NO NO…..so becuase one man tells you in a blog that texas is doomed, you shouldn’t feel the need to insult an entire state!

Secondly, concerning this blog and the arguement of creationism versus the big bang…..how do any of us know what happened, maybe they BOTH happened… Maybe there is physical evidence of a big bang, and that evolution is responsible for our bieng here (both of these claims have been thouroughly supported with tangible evidence). but here is the kicker, maybe that is how creationism occured?

Any body who thinks that they are intelligent are have the vision needed to say that either claim is false is a liar…… accept that evolution/big bang are facts, and evolve your way of thinking to believe that they may be the mechanisms with which god (whichever one(s) you pray to) actually brought about existence!!

“you confabulate abiogenesis with evolution. The two are different. After life starts no matter how it starts, it will evolve.”

I cannot believe it took this long for someone to point this out. Abiogenesis and the Big Bang =/= Evolution (and, while we’re on the subject of popular misconceptions, just because something is labeled a “theory” doesn’t mean it hasn’t been proven. A theory has been tested and retested and has been found to hold up to scrutiny. It is not the same thing as a hypothesis. Please stop treating it as such). Evolution presupposes life. And it happens. We’ve seen it happen. It’s empirically verifiable. Why is this so difficult a concept to grasp?

Furthermore, why is it THIS country (NOT just Texas) that seems to have the most trouble with this? It’s mindboggling.

I lived in Boston once. Couldn’t wait to get out of that hell hole you call a state. You people are stranger than Californians, except you seem to proud of something. I still can’t figure out what that is. Anyway, glad you left. It smells better already.

Please don’t tell us that. Maybe THAT’S why we’re going down the tubes, in your opinion. You know, for such an old woman, you sure have alot of juvenile thoughts.

Let’s just agree that the are geniuses and idiots in every state, along with ignorant zealots & the open-minded.

I totally agree… that you were being pedantic.

i’d never raise my kids in such a backwards place..