Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in School
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Re: Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in Sc
It's only a small fillip on the vast rococo monument to incompetence, anti-science, and lies that the Republican party has erected over our country, but I take it personally.
George W. Bush has endorsed Intelligent Design creationism's plan to corrupt education.
In a wide-ranging question-and-answer session with a small group of reporters, Bush essentially endorsed efforts by Christian conservatives to give intelligent design equal standing with the theory of evolution in the nation's schools.
It comes from an incredibly badly written article that then goes on and on to parrot the Discovery Institute's talking points. It really isn't just Bush, who is only the Moron-In-Chief, but an abysmally stupid press corps that is responsible for the propagation of this horribly poor idea.
Bush compared the current debate to earlier disputes over "creationism," a related view that adheres more closely to biblical explanations. As governor of Texas, Bush said students should be exposed to both creationism and evolution.
On Monday the president said he favors the same approach for intelligent design "so people can understand what the debate is about."
Here's what the debate is about.
Scientists have established the fact of evolution with thousands of lines of evidence and the work of hundreds of thousands of researchers. This idea is based on material evidence and repeated experiment, extensively documented in the scientific literature.
This evidence flatly contradicts literal religious accounts. Religious conservatives have mounted a long running social and political campaign to get their falsified dogma treated as the truth, despite the absence of any material or logical support for their position.
This debate is not about assessing the evidence, but about getting faith-based bullshit taught as science.
And that is what should be taught: teachers, we need to get in front of our students and expose them to both sides. We need to stand up and plainly state that creationism is a lie and any attempt to incorporate faith and the supernatural into science is as destructive to the enterprise as would be requiring religion to provide concrete, repeatable tests of their beliefs.
That's the only rational version of "equal time" that will work.
Oh, yeah, and we also have to work to make sure that every goddamned Republican in our capitols is out on their ear in the next couple of election cycles. The root of our problem is that the know-nothings and lunatics are in power, and are trying to wreck anything that does not pander to their ideology—and science opposes the Republican agenda.
Anyone else want to jump on the bandwagon here? I'll keep a list of the weblogs that speak out against George W. Bush's boneheaded move—just send me a link trackback to this post (the response has been a little bit overwhelming—there are 157 links down there, from liberals and conservatives, all complaining about Bush's stupid statements)
http://pharyngula.org/index/weblog/comments/bush_endorses_intelligent_design_creationism/
It's only a small fillip on the vast rococo monument to incompetence, anti-science, and lies that the Republican party has erected over our country, but I take it personally.
George W. Bush has endorsed Intelligent Design creationism's plan to corrupt education.
In a wide-ranging question-and-answer session with a small group of reporters, Bush essentially endorsed efforts by Christian conservatives to give intelligent design equal standing with the theory of evolution in the nation's schools.
It comes from an incredibly badly written article that then goes on and on to parrot the Discovery Institute's talking points. It really isn't just Bush, who is only the Moron-In-Chief, but an abysmally stupid press corps that is responsible for the propagation of this horribly poor idea.
Bush compared the current debate to earlier disputes over "creationism," a related view that adheres more closely to biblical explanations. As governor of Texas, Bush said students should be exposed to both creationism and evolution.
On Monday the president said he favors the same approach for intelligent design "so people can understand what the debate is about."
Here's what the debate is about.
Scientists have established the fact of evolution with thousands of lines of evidence and the work of hundreds of thousands of researchers. This idea is based on material evidence and repeated experiment, extensively documented in the scientific literature.
This evidence flatly contradicts literal religious accounts. Religious conservatives have mounted a long running social and political campaign to get their falsified dogma treated as the truth, despite the absence of any material or logical support for their position.
This debate is not about assessing the evidence, but about getting faith-based bullshit taught as science.
And that is what should be taught: teachers, we need to get in front of our students and expose them to both sides. We need to stand up and plainly state that creationism is a lie and any attempt to incorporate faith and the supernatural into science is as destructive to the enterprise as would be requiring religion to provide concrete, repeatable tests of their beliefs.
That's the only rational version of "equal time" that will work.
Oh, yeah, and we also have to work to make sure that every goddamned Republican in our capitols is out on their ear in the next couple of election cycles. The root of our problem is that the know-nothings and lunatics are in power, and are trying to wreck anything that does not pander to their ideology—and science opposes the Republican agenda.
Anyone else want to jump on the bandwagon here? I'll keep a list of the weblogs that speak out against George W. Bush's boneheaded move—just send me a link trackback to this post (the response has been a little bit overwhelming—there are 157 links down there, from liberals and conservatives, all complaining about Bush's stupid statements)
http://pharyngula.org/index/weblog/comments/bush_endorses_intelligent_design_creationism/
Re: Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in Sc
Whoa 8) I figured out how to use the link thing 8)
Whoa 8) I figured out how to use the link thing 8)
RE: Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in Sc
It's OK to teach whole language...but don't dare teach that there may be alternatives to current thinking. Education is already corrupt.
How about we simply remove government from the funding of education? This solves the whole problem.
Power to the parents. (Oh ya, that’s right, I forgot; socialists hate things like that)
It's OK to teach whole language...but don't dare teach that there may be alternatives to current thinking. Education is already corrupt.
How about we simply remove government from the funding of education? This solves the whole problem.
Power to the parents. (Oh ya, that’s right, I forgot; socialists hate things like that)
RE: Bush Endorses Teachin
I do not think any Religious school wether its elementary, junior or senior high or university should recieve any tax payer/government funding like they do now as long as they teach provincial curriculam.
A lot of the religious schools here claim they are priviate, but to me as long as they recieve any government funding to teach unproven "things" means they are really just a public school that teaches religion along side mandated curriculam and religion should not be taught. If they insist on teaching religion they should recieve no government funding, period.
I do not think any Religious school wether its elementary, junior or senior high or university should recieve any tax payer/government funding like they do now as long as they teach provincial curriculam.
A lot of the religious schools here claim they are priviate, but to me as long as they recieve any government funding to teach unproven "things" means they are really just a public school that teaches religion along side mandated curriculam and religion should not be taught. If they insist on teaching religion they should recieve no government funding, period.
Re: Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in Sc
I guess Bush wants to teach children that God is some sort of a moron. I mean, what purpose do my wisdom teeth and appendix serve? If they didn't come here from evolution, then God just f*d up the design of our bodies by including crappy parts we can't use.
I guess Bush wants to teach children that God is some sort of a moron. I mean, what purpose do my wisdom teeth and appendix serve? If they didn't come here from evolution, then God just f*d up the design of our bodies by including crappy parts we can't use.
Re: Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in Sc
You should, or she'll find somebody who will. :wink:
You don't teach Swahili in English class, Jay. That's the real issue here.
Great idea. That way the poor people can be kept uneducated so they lack the ability to talk back. The rich folks could then put a king in power, cutting the size of government down to one man who they could control more easily.
You should, or she'll find somebody who will. :wink:
You don't teach Swahili in English class, Jay. That's the real issue here.
Great idea. That way the poor people can be kept uneducated so they lack the ability to talk back. The rich folks could then put a king in power, cutting the size of government down to one man who they could control more easily.
Re: Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in Sc
"Oh ya, that’s right, I forgot; socialists hate things like that"
You gots to be kidding??? are you for real?? why don't you start thinking for yourself??? In your book I guess its okay that science has to "prove" its findings, but ID on the other hand gets to come in the back door, lying and cheating...thats sits okay for you, any underhanded lying methods...
Of course cut government funding to schools, how else can you control the masses?? keep them ignorant easier to keep them munching down on clover, because the truth and facts mean nothing, just blind zealotry to nonsense.
"Oh ya, that’s right, I forgot; socialists hate things like that"
You gots to be kidding??? are you for real?? why don't you start thinking for yourself??? In your book I guess its okay that science has to "prove" its findings, but ID on the other hand gets to come in the back door, lying and cheating...thats sits okay for you, any underhanded lying methods...
Of course cut government funding to schools, how else can you control the masses?? keep them ignorant easier to keep them munching down on clover, because the truth and facts mean nothing, just blind zealotry to nonsense.
Re: Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in Sc
Add to the long list of oxymorons: Intelligent Design :?
Add to the long list of oxymorons: Intelligent Design :?
RE: Bush Endorses Teachin
Yeah, really. If you look at the way the human body is put together, anybody who believes in God should be trying to find somebody else to pin that little bit of bad engineering on.
Yeah, really. If you look at the way the human body is put together, anybody who believes in God should be trying to find somebody else to pin that little bit of bad engineering on.
Re: Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in Sc
It would be much easier to add anything like creationism into schools by adding a separate cirriculum in the school system (not mandatory) called religion.
When I was in grade school there was a religion class offered for the students. We didn't really have to take it if we didn't want to, and we could learn all about the love thy neighbour creationism and other funky bible stuff. At least that way the religion is kept separate from the other scientific classes.
But I guess if Bush is eroding the separation of church and state separating classes like that would be the first to go then.
It would be much easier to add anything like creationism into schools by adding a separate cirriculum in the school system (not mandatory) called religion.
When I was in grade school there was a religion class offered for the students. We didn't really have to take it if we didn't want to, and we could learn all about the love thy neighbour creationism and other funky bible stuff. At least that way the religion is kept separate from the other scientific classes.
But I guess if Bush is eroding the separation of church and state separating classes like that would be the first to go then.
Re: Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in Sc
Not really....you would have a point if in English class there had to be given equal representation to Swahili....but this isn’t the case and no one expects this sort of mentality to be the case for biology class.
Sure if that’s the only imagination the left has on school funding, I suppose that’s the answer I would expect. There is a box....lets think outside of it for a while.
Reverend Blair said:
Not really....you would have a point if in English class there had to be given equal representation to Swahili....but this isn’t the case and no one expects this sort of mentality to be the case for biology class.
Sure if that’s the only imagination the left has on school funding, I suppose that’s the answer I would expect. There is a box....lets think outside of it for a while.
Re: Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in Sc
No, that's exactly the case. The essence of the IDers political position is a demand for equal time in the classroom for their version of a 5000-year old creation myth.Jay said:
It'd be helpful if people could learn to think inside the box first.
Re: Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in Sc
Right, by spewing the same old rhetoric that everyone spews around here about this subject...I would therefore be thinking for myself....sure. How about you start thinking clearly about the subject and not assuming that people who understand this subject believe that science and ID theory are the same thing.
Because that's the only way to fund schools...there is no other way, whatsoever....and you tell me to start thinking for myself? Have you ever wondered why they refer to the school system as a sausage factory?
peapod said:
Right, by spewing the same old rhetoric that everyone spews around here about this subject...I would therefore be thinking for myself....sure. How about you start thinking clearly about the subject and not assuming that people who understand this subject believe that science and ID theory are the same thing.
peapod said:
Because that's the only way to fund schools...there is no other way, whatsoever....and you tell me to start thinking for myself? Have you ever wondered why they refer to the school system as a sausage factory?
Re: Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in Sc
Teaching ignorance is an act of fraud.
Using public funds to teach ignorance should be criminal.
Superstition-as-policy is beneath the dignity of the united states!
.
Teaching ignorance is an act of fraud.
Using public funds to teach ignorance should be criminal.
Superstition-as-policy is beneath the dignity of the united states!
.
Re: Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in Sc
The point is that intelligent design is not science, Jay. Because it is not science, it does not deserve equal time in science class.
Religion also does not belong in the public school system. If you want a course on comparitive religion that teaching all of the creation myths of all of the religions of the world and how myths from the same area are intertwined, I'll back you up on that. If you want public schools to teach about your particular invisible man in the sky, I will oppose you.
The point is that intelligent design is not science, Jay. Because it is not science, it does not deserve equal time in science class.
Religion also does not belong in the public school system. If you want a course on comparitive religion that teaching all of the creation myths of all of the religions of the world and how myths from the same area are intertwined, I'll back you up on that. If you want public schools to teach about your particular invisible man in the sky, I will oppose you.
Re: Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in Sc
Hi Dex.
I don't see it that way....if there was an optional credit class in high school that offered this line of thinking I would not have a problem with it. ID (as far as I can see) isn't about teaching religion, it is perhaps more to do with the deficiencies of the theory of evolution....no big deal.
There is a difference in my mind, between religion class and say, ID theory class. We don't expect in such a class to discuss the book of Psalms, any more than in physical education class to discuss gravity.
The people I have read/listened to online, who discuss ID aren’t people who aren’t familiar with the box....they have the credentials; otherwise I wouldn't give them a second thought.
I hope your getting some fishing time in.
Dexter Sinister said:
Hi Dex.
I don't see it that way....if there was an optional credit class in high school that offered this line of thinking I would not have a problem with it. ID (as far as I can see) isn't about teaching religion, it is perhaps more to do with the deficiencies of the theory of evolution....no big deal.
There is a difference in my mind, between religion class and say, ID theory class. We don't expect in such a class to discuss the book of Psalms, any more than in physical education class to discuss gravity.
The people I have read/listened to online, who discuss ID aren’t people who aren’t familiar with the box....they have the credentials; otherwise I wouldn't give them a second thought.
I hope your getting some fishing time in.
Re: Bush Endorses Teaching 'Intelligent Design' Theory in Sc
Intelligent design is clearly a matter of faith and science cannot back it up. What you cannot prove you should not teach as being factual. I have enough issues with my tax dollars being spent the wrong way. Enough already.
Intelligent design is clearly a matter of faith and science cannot back it up. What you cannot prove you should not teach as being factual. I have enough issues with my tax dollars being spent the wrong way. Enough already.