state of georgia and evolution (Jesus, dinosaur, creation, mission)

[robtex]

http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/11....ap/index.html

Some worry evolution dispute hurts image
Stickers calling evolution 'theory, not fact' at center of case

Friday, November 12, 2004 Posted: 12:20 PM EST (1720 GMT)

story.evolution.selman.ap.gif
Jeffrey Selman, one of the parents who filed the lawsuit, says the sticker is an unlawful promotion of religion.

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ATLANTA (AP) -- First, Georgia's education chief tried to take the word "evolution" out of the state's science curriculum. Now a suburban Atlanta county is in federal court over textbook stickers that call evolution "a theory, not a fact."

Some here worry that Georgia is making itself look like a bunch of rubes or, worse, discrediting its own students.

"People want to project the image that Georgia is a modern state, that we're in the 21st century. Then something like this happens," said Emory University molecular biologist Carlos Moreno.

The federal lawsuit being heard this week in Atlanta concerns whether the constitutional separation of church and state was violated when suburban Cobb County school officials placed the disclaimer stickers in high school biology texts in 2002. The stickers say evolution should be "critically considered."

Earlier this year, science teachers howled when state Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox proposed a new science curriculum that dropped the word "evolution" in favor of "changes over time."

That plan was quickly dropped, but comic Jimmy Fallon still cracked wise on "Saturday Night Live": "As a compromise, dinosaurs are now called 'Jesus Horses'."

Those who support the Cobb County stickers testified this week that they are aiming for a more open-minded education for students.

"I think the (evolution) theory is atheistic. And it's all that's presented. It's an insult to their intelligence that they're only taught evolution," said Marjorie Rogers, the parent who first complained about the biology texts.

Some scientists say they are frustrated the issue is still around nearly 80 years since the Scopes Monkey Trial -- the historic case heard in neighboring Tennessee over the teaching of evolution instead of the biblical story of creation.

"We're really busy. We have a lot to do. And here we are, having to go through this 19th century argument over and over again," said Sarah Pallas, who teaches biology and neuroscience at Georgia State University in Atlanta.

Moreno and dozens of other science instructors, along with the county superintendent, argued that the stickers only make the state look backward. And high school teacher Wes McCoy worried the issue could tarnish his students.
story.evolution.sticker.ap.gif
The sticker is affixed to high school biology textbooks in Cobb County, Georgia.


"I didn't want college admission counselors thinking less of their science educations, thinking they hadn't been taught evolution or something," McCoy testified.

Moreno recalled how, after graduating from Georgia public schools, he headed north to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, only to find that people were less than kind about his educational roots.

"They felt Southerners were not only less well educated, but less intelligent," Moreno said.

Doughnut shop worker Maria Jordan, 48, said her Atlanta customers were shaking their heads over the latest dispute. "Lord, don't we have more important things to worry about?" she asked. "It's just a flat-out embarrassment."

As for what they are saying elsewhere around the country, she said: "Whatever Georgia's getting up north, we're putting it on ourselves.

[Ellie_A]

[quote=robtex]Stickers calling evolution 'theory, not fact' at center of caseQUOTE]

I see nothing wrong with the sticker! It is a theory! A theory that should not be dismissed just because some religious texts, that many take literally, are contradicted. As we all know science is begging to be proven wrong... it just has not been done with doctrine. imhp.

[Jaymes]

*shakes head in embarrassment* Nonono, we don't need more things to make Georgia look like a collection of Bible-bashing nutcases...

Originally Posted by robtex

"I think the (evolution) theory is atheistic. And it's all that's presented. It's an insult to their intelligence that they're only taught evolution," said Marjorie Rogers, the parent who first complained about the biology texts.

What would be an insult to our intelligence would be trying to present the idea that some magical god snapped his fingers and created everything. PERIOD. That just doesn't belong in science classes.

The sticker is affixed to high school biology textbooks in Cobb County, Georgia.

ON the textbooks?! We'd have to pay for them if we did something crazy like that! Books aren't cheap...

"They felt Southerners were not only less well educated, but less intelligent," Moreno said.

Actually, to go on a little minirant here, I thought the same thing until by circumstance I was forced into a Construction class this semester. I thought all the people there were idiots, would be general rednecks all semester, etc.

But these guys in my class are smart. They may not be book-smart, but these guys can do so much with cars and welding and woodworking it amazes me. I KNOW I can't do half the stuff they can, because I've tried it and ended up with dilapidated results.

So yea. They're smart, just a different kind of smart.

[Sunstone]

"I think the (evolution) theory is atheistic. And it's all that's presented. It's an insult to their intelligence that they're only taught evolution," said Marjorie Rogers, the parent who first complained about the biology texts.

I'm astonished that Marjorie Rogers can feel her intelligence is insulted by a theory as well collaborated as the theory of evolution. Has she ever studied it?

[standing_on_one_foot]

You know, the sticker gives good advice...of course, I rather suspect they don't really mean read it with an open mind, consider critically, etc, but in and of itself, it's very good advice about almost anything.

[painted wolf]

*sigh* do they put disclamers on the theory of Plate Tectonics and contenental drift?
The Germ Theory of Disease? Cell Theory? atomic theory? Relativity Theories?

nope, just evolution.

wa:do

[Jaymes]

What I don't understand is why people don't look at things like evolution and go, "Oh, THAT'S how God did it!"

[Scott1]

Originally Posted by Jensa

What I don't understand is why people don't look at things like evolution and go, "Oh, THAT'S how God did it!"

Some of us do.............

[Ceridwen018]

The only reason why Southerners are stereotyped as being stupid red-necks is because they spend their time pulling stunts like this--devaluing a tested and trusted scientific theory in favor of their blind religious one.