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  • THURSDAY AUGUST 24 2006 11:00 PM

More Dirty Tricks From The Jesus People

Submitted by FearTheReaper

Edited by FearTheReaper

Tags: Bush, Evolution, intelligent design, Department of Education

We have a president who believes intelligent design should be taught in school because he is a crazy evangelical. And now suddenly, and without explanation, evolutionary biology has disappeared from a grant list of acceptable fields of study for low-income college students. Poof! Gone.

The Department of Education insists the removal was an accident and the major should be on the list. The omission was discovered on August 15th but it still has not been corrected. Not having evolutionary biology on the list has a great impact. If any major is not on the list, students cannot get grants unless they declare another major.

The list is specifically designed so majors cannot be left off. Each major is assigned a number, which translates to a code. That code must be used to pick a major or grants will not be given. A major cannot just be written into the list. Evolutionary biology is assigned the number 26.1303. But currently between marine biology 26.1302, and aquatic biology 26.1304, is an empty space.

The omission concerns scientists who are already upset about attacks on the teaching of evolution in schools. An anonymous source at the Department of Education drew professor Dr. Lawrence M. Krauss’ attention to the matter but was too worried about being identified to blow the whistle on their own. Given the current climate many scientists do not believe the removal was a clerical error.


Dr. Krauss said: “Removing that one major is not going to make the nation stupid, but if this really was removed, specifically removed, then I see it as part of a pattern to put ideology over knowledge. And, especially in the Department of Education, that should be abhorred.”

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Snooks

Snooks

United Kingdom
August 2006

SEP 01, 2006 10:20 AM

Snooks said:

chainlink said:

Snooks said:

chainlink said:

SPOILERS! (Click to view)

WaTed said:

chainlink said:
Snooks said:
I can't get my head around the way your government is backpeddling at an astounding rate straight into the dark ages. That's not to say my government are much better, but as a Religious Studies teacher in a state funded school I get to teach evolution alongside creationism (in it's many and varied forms) without any hassle. Indeed I even get to teach about how Christianity created the 'devil' (who incidently doesn't exist as anything other than god's henchman until the new testament of the most mainstream versions of the bible). The science department also get to teach about evolution from a purely scientific perspective. In the UK we generally can have a much more objective, scholarly approach to religion, and generally don't have the same problem distinguishing between facts, theories and beliefs.

Logically there is no good reason to put the screws on evolutionists except to oppress the development of rational scientific enquiy. If god exists he should be ashamed or given a good spanking for not thwarting those god-botherers who think he's too precious to challenge.




Could I ask why you'd be teaching Evolution in a Religious Studies class anyway ?

Also what level are you teaching ? Is this college ?

It seems to me if you are teaching evolution in Religious Studies class and Creationism in science class you have a HUGE problem distinguishing between facts, theories and beliefs.



Creationism isn't being taught in science class, evolution from a scientific stance is being taught. Presumably evolution is being taught in a Religious Studies class to show how science and theology are able to coexist.

Did you read the post properly? confused

Also, she's probably teaching children from 12-16 years of age. That would fit in with the use of the word 'school' and the fact that science and religion are taught as distinct subjects by different teachers...




Nope sorry, I didn't read it properly. So I edited that about Creationism being taught in science class. She did not say that. I thought for a minute she implied it but after re-reading it I saw she did not.

The question about evolution in Religious Studies class stands though. I won't presume why. Thats why I'm asking.
Last I heard Evolution was not a religion. Did I miss something ?



The reason we teach evolution in religious studies is to highlight the difference between science and religion and hopefully to get kids (as old as 18) to understand what all the fuss is about. It allows us to highlight the difference between why and how, to illustrate the different perspectives of science and religion and to help kids understand the deep flaws in the ID argument. In fact we have a module of study entitled Religion and Science which covers the debate. The point is it's not taught from anything other than an scholarly perspective, pupils can think what they like as long as they can justify it and as long as they accept others may not share their view. I think America could really benefit from instilling that tolerance and understanding among its citizens.




Eh , we got about 30 places in my town alone where anyone who wants can go and learn all about what ever religion they choose.

We call them Churches.

Although the comparison might make a great lesson in critical thinking I feel that school should be used for teaching more practical matters.

I guess that I can accept it if you don't share this view. wink



Mmmmm, churches are only places of worship for christians and i find the guys that run them don't know a big lot about hinduism or buddhism or sikhism or taoism or judaism or baha'ism or zoroastorism or islam or humanism...also i'm pleased to report the kids are taught lots of other subjects too so they get a healthy dose of 'practical matters' in amongst their critical thinking.

I would put a grin here but my 'practical matters' are underpar due to my immersion in critical thinking!

Arcanum

Arcanum

Jersey City, NJ
June 2006

SEP 01, 2006 10:23 AM

I ... Arcanum ... The Lord of Nothing and Master of None ... unofficially do not declare this thread not dead.

If you do not disagree do not fail to not post in response.

Chainlink

Chainlink

Key West, FL
August 2005

SEP 01, 2006 03:36 PM

Snooks said:

Mmmmm, churches are only places of worship for christians and i find the guys that run them don't know a big lot about hinduism or buddhism or sikhism or taoism or judaism or baha'ism or zoroastorism or islam or humanism...



Oh ! yes . Of course. Besides the fact that none of them are teaching ID. Nevermind that.

See, because we are all ignorant narrow minded simpletons we can't distingush between different beliefs. I thought you knew that ?
We just call them all Churches and let thier respective gods sort it out.

I'm sure the little gems would be welcomed at any Temple, Synagogue, Mandir, Mosque, Jinja, Gurdwara, Fire Temple, or the local Bahá'í House of Worship or even the International House of Pancakes if you reeeally feel that the Christian church doesn't have enough to say about creationism.

You make it sound as if there's really some honest controversial debate between Evolution and ID or Creationism when there really is not. I'm thinking if you really dedicate more than 10 minutes to this subject in comparision you are giving ID and Creationism much more attention than it deserves.
Do you teach a class in astrology vs. science ? Faith healing vs. science ? Tarot vs. science ? Spoon bending 101 ? Spaggetti Monster Vs. Evolution ?

skeptik

skeptik

New Orleans, LA
February 2004

SEP 01, 2006 04:33 PM

chainlink said:

Do you teach a class in astrology vs. science ? Faith healing vs. science ? Tarot vs. science ? Spoon bending 101 ? Spaggetti Monster Vs. Evolution ?





THERE IS NO SPOON ...

emotedcreations

emotedcreations

Germany
July 2006

SEP 01, 2006 04:36 PM

When I'm on hallucinagenics lots of things bend, and at the time, they are bending given my state of perception. Is one perpetual state of perception more meaningful than a transitory one? If so, please don't tell the most indigenous groups throughout the world.

The THREAD is DEAD, LONG live the THREAD!

Chainlink

Chainlink

Key West, FL
August 2005

SEP 01, 2006 04:44 PM

emotedcreations said:
When I'm on hallucinagenics lots of things bend, and at the time, they are bending given my state of perception. Is one perpetual state of perception more meaningful than a transitory one? If so, please don't tell the most indigenous groups throughout the world.

The THREAD is DEAD, LONG live the THREAD!



Critical Thinking 101 : Santa Vs. Particle Physics


All my friends are Indians
All my friends are brown and red, Spoonman
All my friends are skeletons
They beat the rhythm with their bones,

Spoonman

Long live the thread
skull

emotedcreations

emotedcreations

Germany
July 2006

SEP 01, 2006 10:26 PM

chainlink said:

emotedcreations said:
When I'm on hallucinagenics lots of things bend, and at the time, they are bending given my state of perception. Is one perpetual state of perception more meaningful than a transitory one? If so, please don't tell the most indigenous groups throughout the world.

The THREAD is DEAD, LONG live the THREAD!



Critical Thinking 101 : Santa Vs. Particle Physics


All my friends are Indians
All my friends are brown and red, Spoonman
All my friends are skeletons
They beat the rhythm with their bones,

Spoonman

Long live the thread
skull




THE THREAD IS DEAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Contrary

Contrary

Costa Mesa, CA
July 2004

SEP 04, 2006 11:04 AM

MisterLinguist said:

AnnaKarina said:
a error?? when president b. said it long time before??? and other school district wanted to do this for long???
yes i m a believer puke



It is an error to praise a god/goddess.



I agree, it is an error to praise an imaginary friend seeing as the friend is just you projected onto an exterior object. I have no problem with Creation being offered as an option of education, but as the only option is a problem. Religion, Christianity in particular, has always feared science and fact. Facts are Christ's negation, and they are so overwhelming that the chruch must barracade itself in self deceipt and pyschological disorders. The belief in God is a mass amount of Wishful Thinking, and all my experience in the world has proved that wishes don't come true unless by luck or will, but to will such a wish, God, into form is in fact to become God.

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