Does Creation Science Threaten Science Literacy? (reject, Creator, Darwin, beliefs)

[Pah]

The American Institute of Biological Sciences seems to think so.

Just how widespread is science literacy in the United States? That this country is the acknowledged leader of scientific research in terms of quantity and overall quality suggests our scientific enterprise is robust. Nevertheless, there is evidence that most US citizens have a poor understanding of science and only marginal interest in it (see the latest National Science Foundation survey on science indicators at www.nsf.gov/sbe/srs/seind02/c7/c7h.htm).

These encouraging signs tend to get lost in the ongoing hullabaloo over intelligent design creationism� (IDC). Creationism and this is true of all its guises is an antiscientific worldview. It rejects the fundamental precept of science that phenomena in the natural world should be interpreted through naturalistic explanations that are accepted (always tentatively) or rejected by reference to observation. Followers of IDC are no different from the creationists of old; at some point each wants to back away from rational scientific inquiry and explain phenomena by appeal to supernatural causation.

Although the IDC propaganda machine is focused on getting creationism in the public schools, this Trojan horse hides a more concerted attack against science education in general. As did the creationists before them, IDC adherents use evolution as a �wedge� to dismantle the naturalistic foundation of all science (if this sounds far-fetched, see http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/art...s_7_1_2003.asp). Although not all proponents of IDC are biblical fundamentalists, for each some scientific finding will eventually be considered threatening to their religious beliefs. They organize around such threats, misrepresenting contemporary science and manipulating the emotions of others, many of whom do not share their narrow religious viewpoints. To allow their biblical interpretations to be taught as science, however, is an affront to this nation's constitutional protection to worship as one pleases. A religious worldview, under the pretext of science, should not be imposed on children in the public schools hence the need for science education that deals squarely with the nature of scientific inquiry

That certainly does not then belong in a public school classroom. It amounts to a "dumbing down" of students not to mention, as the editorial did, a violation of the separation of church from state.

-pah-

[meogi]

This is perhaps the main reason christianity angers me so. Religion is not science, it's faith. Until science discovers a god, or any other religious idea, never the twain shall meet. Religions can not charge into science... science can charge into a religion though, so far it hasn't (and I doubt it ever will) but that doesn't mean it won't.

[Economist]

I don't believe so. Rather, I believe it brings some honesty back to the scientific community. It points out the fact that all creation theories are beliefs. If it weren't for creationists, no one would understand that while some of Darwin's theories may have been correct (there are more sight impaired humans today because glasses made it possible for them to survive and procreate), it cannot be extrapolated from there that all life originated in some "primordial soup."

[Sunstone]

I have always suspected in my heart of hearts that Creationism hampers scientific literacy. For one thing, I think the rules Creationists play by are different from the rules scientists play by. And I think that Creationists don't usually recognize that fact. Instead, they believe that they are playing by the rules of science. So, if science were football, and Creationism were basketball, then the Creationists are like someone who shows up at a football game carrying a basketball and insisting that the football game be played by the rules of basketball. That can only be confusing to children and other people who do not have a strong grasp of science.

[Ceridwen018]

Of COURSE it does! Just as efficiently as teaching incorrect grammar in schools hampers literacy in the English language!

[Faust]

At the risk of sounding like I believe myself to be an expert, I am an amateur, I believe from what I have read that creationism is part of a fundamental response. Let me explain myself. Our world continues to advance on all fronts. When it advances beyond any systems ability to explain it to itself the response is to return to the fundamentals of that system by it's adherents. To get back to those basics that made it what it is because it is perceived that straying from those basic tenants has caused a degradation of the system. There is a fear of the collapse of "our way of life". Driven by this fear of annihilation if you will, instead of returning to the original or pure practices or beliefs a new interpretation that better fits the world around us or better describes the world in accordance with our system is achieved. This often involves two distinct paths. One where practitioners remove themselves or attempt to isolate themselves from the offending world around them so as to avoid further contamination and the other where the practitioners attempt to incorporate that which is new into their own system through the prism of their own beliefs in an effort to validate them to everyone else and themselves given the nature of the world they are currently living in. Thus you have new interpretations such as intelligent design which presents itself as "scientific" but is actually an attempt to redeem the beliefs we hold dear and to a large degree identify ourselves by.

[painted wolf]

I think that the problems with science illiteracy is in part due to the way science is taught. Teachers need to do more to engage children in learning about science rather than just reciting the 'rules'. Creationists have made it difficult for teachers to engage kids in certen subjects... geology, biology, evolution, plate tectonics just to name a few... its hard to take a subject seriously when you have a very vocal group yelling that kids should ignore you for the sake of thier souls....

but again I think that teachers sould be able to explain the concepts that they are teaching... it amazes me how many people have fundimentaly skewed ideas of basic concepts in science. Perhaps if the ideas were explained in a better way than this wouldn't happin... but hey I'm not a teacher and personally do not have an answer.

wa:do

[kbc_1963]

This is perhaps the main reason christianity angers me so. Religion is not science, it's faith.

How many theories (by science) about our beginnings can be backed up by hard scientific evidence? NATURAL ORIGINS IS FAITH!!!!!!

I as a creationist demand that the schools teach only that which is scientificly provable and nothing more. teaching our kids that our beginnings were in a prebiotic soup in school is wrong and untill science can back up their assertions then they are no better than having a religious view taught in the schools.
Many of you believe the crap that has been dished out by the schools and science as fact and use this basis to down grade those with a belief in an intelligent creator but when the light of truth is waved over what is taught in schools it shows many things that are taught as fact are really theory masquerading under the guise of science and can be shown by scientific proof to be impossible.

[Pah]

Originally Posted by kbc_1963

I as a creationist demand that the schools teach only that which is scientificly provable and nothing more.

That's what is being done!!!!! There is no projection to origins in biology or chemistry class rooms

-pah-

[Ceridwen018]

You're right, pah.

I'd like to add though, that nothing can be fully 'proven' by anyone, let alone science. Therefore, science desires to teach that which has the strongest empirical foundation, and which is most accepted within the scientific community.

teaching our kids that our beginnings were in a prebiotic soup in school is wrong and untill science can back up their assertions

Newsflash--they can.

Many of you believe the crap that has been dished out by the schools and science as fact and use this basis to down grade those with a belief in an intelligent creator but when the light of truth is waved over what is taught in schools it shows many things that are taught as fact are really theory masquerading under the guise of science and can be shown by scientific proof to be impossible.

Okey dokey.