University of Kansas: Teach Mythology AS Mythology! (Earth, tradition, evolution)

[Jayhawker Soule]

According to abcnews and the Associated Press ...

Univ. of Kansas Takes Up Creation Debate

Univ. of Kansas Religion Course Seeks to Debunk Creationism, Intelligent Design As 'Mythology'

LAWRENCE, Kan. Nov 22, 2005 — Creationism and intelligent design are going to be studied at the University of Kansas, but not in the way advocated by opponents of the theory of evolution.

A course being offered next semester by the university religious studies department is titled "Special Topics in Religion: Intelligent Design, Creationism and other Religious Mythologies."

"The KU faculty has had enough," said Paul Mirecki, department chairman.

"Creationism is mythology," Mirecki said. "Intelligent design is mythology. It's not science. They try to make it sound like science. It clearly is not."

Earlier this month, the state Board of Education adopted new science teaching standards that treat evolution as a flawed theory, defying the view of science groups.

Although local school boards still decide how science is taught in the classrooms, the vote was seen as a major victory for proponents of intelligent design, which says that the universe is so complex that it must have been created by a higher power.

Critics say intelligent design is merely creationism a literal reading of the Bible's story of creation as the handiwork of God camouflaged in scientific language as a way to get around court rulings that creationism injects religion into public schools.

John Calvert, an attorney and managing director of the Intelligent Design Network in Johnson County, said Mirecki will go down in history as a laughingstock.

"To equate intelligent design to mythology is really an absurdity, and it's just another example of labeling anybody who proposes (intelligent design) to be simply a religious nut," Calvert said. "That's the reason for this little charade."

Mirecki said his course, limited to 120 students, would explore intelligent design as a modern American mythology. Several faculty members have volunteered to be guest lecturers, he said.

University Chancellor Robert Hemenway said Monday said he didn't know all the details about the new course.

"If it's a course that's being offered in a serious and intellectually honest way, those are the kind of courses a university frequently offers," he said.

Good for them!

[michel]

"Creationism is mythology," Mirecki said. "Intelligent design is mythology. It's not science. They try to make it sound like science. It clearly is not."

I agree with you, but for probably the wrong reasons. Science is man-made; God doesn't need to use science.

[Jayhawker Soule]

Originally Posted by michel

God doesn't need to use science.

And it shows.

[Sunstone]

Sounds like one more case of those dang liberal academics promoting their perverse views at the expense of traditional values and time tested truths, such as the fact the earth is flat.

[robtex]

I read this a week ago. A guy from the atheist community of austin posted it on the local atheist forum. At the time I wanted to see who Calvert was so I spent about an hour reading links on him. He is a crusader for ID and quite and interesting guy to read up on.

For more on John Calvert:

http://www.intelligentdesignnetwork....oboardtalk.htm
http://www.angelfire.com/ma/sym29/jcalvert.html
http://www.geocities.com/lclane2/calvert.html
http://www.arn.org/docs/kansas/cnncalvert.htm

[michel]

Originally Posted by Deut. 10:19

And it shows.

I always remember my Mother's instand dislike of Landscaped manicured gardens; she used to say "Nature never tries to plant flowers six inches apart".........I think this is part of the "God doesn't use science" subject.

I don't denigrate science; it is an invaluable tool of man. I just think that both science and God have their place in the world.

[Fatmop]

Kansas revealing that hey, at least they aren't completely wallowing in stupidity.

[Terrywoodenpic]

Originally Posted by robtex

I read this a week ago. A guy from the atheist community of austin posted it on the local atheist forum. At the time I wanted to see who Calvert was so I spent about an hour reading links on him. He is a crusader for ID and quite and interesting guy to read up on.

For more on John Calvert:

He seems to be well educated .
Well educated Nuts abound.
Most can't escape their institutions though.
The white coats will find him soon enough.

Terry_____________________
Amen! Truly I say to you: Gather in my name. I am with you.