"Arkansas Bill Lets Teachers Promote Creationism and Intelligent Design in Science Class"

[Skwim]

"House Bill 2050, a bill just filed in the Arkansas State House, would “allow public school teachers to teach creationism and intelligent design as theories alongside the teaching of the origins of the earth and the theory of evolution.”

Which is a fancy way of saying that science teachers should be allowed to preach Christianity in addition to educating students on topics of actual value.

That’s literally all it says, in utter defiance (or complete ignorance) of the Supreme Court’s ruling against the teaching of Creationism and a federal court’s ruling against Intelligent Design — both of which were seen as illegally advancing religion instead of teaching credible science.

Besides the fact that both concepts have no basis in evidence or reason, this is also a Republican’s attempt to dismantle science education from the outside. The sponsor, State Rep. Mary Bentley,

is a graduate of Harding College, a Church of Christ-affiliated school.

"I'm dumb beyond belief"
​

Notice that the bill doesn’t even bother giving lip service to the creation myths of any non-Christian religion. It’s all about advancing Christianity, which means it has nothing to do with science. At best, Bentley is just ignorant of what science is. Give her time and she’ll want to give teachers the option of promoting astrology, alchemy, and homeopathy, too.

For now, the legislation is in committee. But it’s a bill that should be stopped immediately.
source
​

One can only hope the Arkansas State Senate will see how idiotic the bill is; although, sometimes stupid can be quite amusing. So maybe an affirmation by the Senate will prove entertaining.

.

 

[Cobol]

The ACLU Needs to get involved in this. I'm sure they will.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

Give her time and she’ll want to give teachers the option of promoting astrology, alchemy, and homeopathy, too.

No, because those are not practices approved by fundamentalist Christians.

 

[Kemosloby]

No proof for evolution, it's a theory. At least until they bastardized the meaning to mean any sort of selective breeding. But evolution as it compares to Creationism, as origins of life, has no scientific evidence. It's good to see a bill fight back against the BS.

 

[Cobol]

No proof for evolution, it's a theory. At least until they bastardized the meaning to mean any sort of selective breeding. But evolution as it compares to Creationism, as origins of life, has no scientific evidence. It's good to see a bill fight back against the BS.

Gravity is a theory you fool, and the theory of evolution is stronger than the theory of gravity.

 

[icehorse]

Mary Bentley, the thickness is thick with this one

 

[Kemosloby]

Gravity is a theory you fool, and the theory of evolution is stronger than the theory of gravity.

No I don't believe it is. People still want to know, what came first, the chicken or the egg. Gravity though, we don't care since what goes up must come down is all we need to know.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

No I don't believe it is. People still want to know, what came first, the chicken or the egg. Gravity though, we don't care since what goes up must come down is all we need to know.

Unless you're an astro-physicist (for example)...Which requires a science education.

 

[Kemosloby]

Unless you're an astro-physicist (for example)...Which requires a science education.

Yes right, but evolution theory won't help him at all. Or anybody else for that matter, except it might make a few monkeys feel better about themselves.

 

[Brickjectivity]

I found some links with basic information about Arkansas culture.

"...The stereotype, frequently characterized by a lazy, rural, poor, banjo-playing, racist, cousin-marrying hick is commonly applied to Arkansas and her residents. Arkansas's hillbilly reputation, and her citizen's defensiveness on the subject, are a very important piece of Arkansas's culture. Many Arkansans defend the state from this image, yet others embrace it..." -- from Culture of Arkansas - Wikipedia

Alternative Source:
The Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture

Also I looked up some comparisons between Arkansas and its nearest neighbor:
http://places.findthehome.com/compare/9-14/Florida-vs-Arkansas

Cheap flights from Arkansas to Florida:
Cheap Flights from Arkansas (AR) to Florida (FL) - Find Airfare & Ticket Deals at Cheapflights.com

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Yes right, but evolution theory won't help him at all. Or anybody else for that matter, except it might make a few monkeys feel better about themselves.

So...Do you want scientific theory taught in science class? Or religious instruction? Or no science class?

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

No I don't believe it is. People still want to know, what came first, the chicken or the egg. Gravity though, we don't care since what goes up must come down is all we need to know.

People who understand biology realize that the egg came before the chicken. This is because the shelled egg, as a means of reproduction, co-evolved with the creatures that lay eggs. This requires understanding that chickens are living creatures, and eggs are the means by which their offspring develop...so some other species [but not chickens] predated the development of eggs.

Chickens are only one of a large number of species that have used this strategy to produce their young...and are one of the 4,000+ current species of birds that do this. There were more species in the past, but they either transitioned into modern species, or they died out.

 

[Kemosloby]

So...Do you want scientific theory taught in science class? Or religious instruction? Or no science class?

I really don't care because it doesn't matter whether people believe in evolution or creationism, the world which God created will still be here.

 

[The Kilted Heathen]

No I don't believe it is.

Well, that's a belief. Other's know that it is.

The Theory of Gravity explained.

 

[Skwim]

No, because those are not practices approved by fundamentalist Christians.

It's sarcasm.


.

 

[The Emperor of Mankind]

Yes right, but evolution theory won't help him at all. Or anybody else for that matter, except it might make a few monkeys feel better about themselves.

Do you get yourself, your kids or any family pets up-to-date vaccines?

 

[lewisnotmiller]

I really don't care because it doesn't matter whether people believe in evolution or creationism, the world which God created will still be here.

Cool. Keep that belief out of the science classroom, and I'll stay quiet about evolution when in a church.

 

[oldbadger]

"House Bill 2050, a bill just filed in the Arkansas State House, would “allow public school teachers to teach creationism and intelligent design as theories alongside the teaching of the origins of the earth and the theory of evolution.”
​

.

GOOD!
I did not need to read more, Skwim...
The above is fine.
You just don't get it, do you?

We've had folks rant on in past threads because kids have been given the opportunity to INVESTIGATE and RESEARCH various subjects for themselves, and draw their own conclusions.

To try and deny them an education in SIMPLE INVESTIGATION OF THE TRUTH is a typical example of educational domination. You don't want to be accused of that, do you?

 

[oldbadger]

No proof for evolution, it's a theory. At least until they bastardized the meaning to mean any sort of selective breeding. But evolution as it compares to Creationism, as origins of life, has no scientific evidence. It's good to see a bill fight back against the BS.

Hi....
I happen to believe in evolution, not in creation, but I agree that children should be given the opportunity to research and investigate for themselves.

There are other subjects which would be suited to this kind of education in investigation for kids, and they are just as 'heated' issues as this one.

 

[oldbadger]

Yes right, but evolution theory won't help him at all. Or anybody else for that matter, except it might make a few monkeys feel better about themselves.

Now you're losing points!
The rapidly dropping effectiveness of anti-biotics could well be all about evolution.
Have you ever needed to take an anti-biotic? Would you like research into anti-biotics to continue?

This is all about teaching kids in Individual Investigation rather than Institutional Indoctrination.

Kids need to learn how to think for themselves, either way.