Texas school to debate the teaching of evolution in schools...

http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/03/25/texas.evolution.teaching/index.html

The Texas Board of Education this week will vote on science standards that critics say seek to cast doubt on the theory of evolution.

The board -- considering amendments passed in January -- will hear from the public on Wednesday. It will then take votes -- an initial one Thursday and the final vote Friday.

School board chairman Don McLeroy has wanted to tackle questions that highlight supposed weaknesses in the theory.

For example, skeptics of evolution point to what they contend are fossil record gaps casting doubt on the scientific evidence of common ancestry.

"I'm a skeptic. I'm an evolution skeptic. I don't think it's true," he said. "You need to present other ideas to the kids."

The issue reflects the strong feelings among representatives on the 15-member board, some of whom accept evolutionary theory and some of whom don't. The size of the textbook market in Texas gives it influence nationwide, as publishers adapt their material to its standards.

Thoughts?

to those people in texas

evolution = FACT

deal with it

What is there to debate?

In science, they should teach science. While you don't have to necessarily state that evolution is real, it's important to know what the theory is, so the child can make the assumption on their own.DeathHeart95

I'm sorry but I wouldnt be able to take that lesson seriously. I would be laughing for the whole time.

In science, they should teach science. While you don't have to necessarily state that evolution is real, it's important to know what the theory is, so the child can make the assumption on their own.DeathHeart95

Do you mean make the assumption or reach the conclusion?

Evolution is science, creationism is a belief, simple as that, you don't teach beliefs in science.bean-with-bacon

How can you call yourself a first rate country if religous beliefs are forced on children? You can't, way to let your country down Texas.

[QUOTE="DeathHeart95"]In science, they should teach science. While you don't have to necessarily state that evolution is real, it's important to know what the theory is, so the child can make the assumption on their own.mosdef_basic

Do you mean make the assumption or reach the conclusion?

I think this is where *facepalm* would be appropriateJML897

[QUOTE="bean-with-bacon"]Evolution is science, creationism is a belief, simple as that, you don't teach beliefs in science.clyde46

That's not really the case is it guys, don't let arrogance be your downfall. Just because evolution theory is grounded in scientific principles doesn't necessarily make it true, which is what you're trying to say.

I'm sorry but why should kids but taught something that does NOT exist. Evolution is FACT, Creation is FICTION!

the board is considering other amendments casting doubt on well-established ideas in the earth and space scienes -- plate tectonics, radioactive decay and how the solar system developed.article

Hooray! Next on the hitlist: Newton and his absurd laws. Who was he to say every action has an equal and opposite reaction? Balderdash!

the more and more i read **** like this, the more i want to move to a more liberal european country, i can easily see myself living in france in 10 years.

Is this an issue of creationism over evoloution or is it moreover that evoloution being not true at all. I don't know, I doubt the theory, but you do that about all of science.

Here's an interesting video by a Texan who... well... isn't amused by this. :Pzakkro

[QUOTE="zakkro"]Here's an interesting video by a Texan who... well... isn't amused by this. :Pnimatoad2000

typicall religious groups. they can say omg were being attacked by atheists but lets have the school board ban science. tsk tsk.. religious people are hypocrites cause they can dish it but cant take it

Keep religion in the church and science in the science class.

That way everyone will be happy.

And if you want your children to learn religious beliefs in school then let them go to a church run school.

Oh how some of my texas brothers and sisters let me down :(

Keep religion in the church and science in the science class.

That way everyone will be happy.

And if you want your children to learn religious beliefs in school then let them go to a church run school.

swazidoughman

Time to call up Kenneth Miller and the rest of the team who destroyed Creationism in Dover.

The children should pick which one they want to learn according to their interest, may it be creationism, evolution, both or neither. They shouldn't be forced to learn one or another.Famiking

ugh....why am I not surprised this is happening in a Red State?:? The anti-science agenda pushed by some on the Right is part of the reason why I don't vote GOP in prez elections.

I have no problems with creationism / ID being taught in public schools. It's just a subject for a philosophycourse, not science.

evolution is real i know it well no ones told me otherwise that i don't want to hit in the face with a frying pan

I wonder how long it'll take for Kansas to teach evolution and lift the ban on Pokemon. Anyways, Texas should teach evolution in schools.

[spoiler] Points for anyone who gets the reference. [/spoiler]

I believe the probability basis and uncertainty which is attached to Quantum theory and Quantum Mechanics should be taught in schools to replace the mere aproximation of Newtonian Physics, which as we all know, does not provide the answers we seek, but is mere approximations on those we already have.

If this we're anyplace but Texas, i would be surprised.

Wrong. They should be able to choose whatever they want to learn in philosophy or religious studies cIass. Science cIass teaches evolution... along with the theory of gravitation, cell theory, atomic theory and all the rest of SCIENCE. Learning about evolution is essential to reciveing a proper education in the sciences. It is a proven fact of nature and should be taught as such.

foxhound_fox

I believe the probability basis and uncertainty which is attached to Quantum theory and Quantum Mechanics should be taught in schools to replace the mere aproximation of Newtonian Physics, which as we all know, does not provide the answers we seek, but is mere approximations on those we already have.

Hoobinator

[QUOTE="foxhound_fox"]Wrong. They should be able to choose whatever they want to learn in philosophy or religious studies cIass. Science cIass teaches evolution... along with the theory of gravitation, cell theory, atomic theory and all the rest of SCIENCE. Learning about evolution is essential to reciveing a proper education in the sciences. It is a proven fact of nature and should be taught as such.

to those people in texas

evolution = FACT

deal with it

legend26

You do realise the evolution is a religion, it is a set of beliefs of the world. It does the same thing as religion in a sense, accept have any moral convictions, but it is idea on how we got here. So basically religion is being promoted in public schools:shock:. It does not matter if it is true or not, it is still religion. Plus it is not true science, you can't observe it, its a belief really. Creationist dont doubt science, we doubt that evolution is science.

[QUOTE="foxhound_fox"]Wrong. They should be able to choose whatever they want to learn in philosophy or religious studies cIass. Science cIass teaches evolution... along with the theory of gravitation, cell theory, atomic theory and all the rest of SCIENCE. Learning about evolution is essential to reciveing a proper education in the sciences. It is a proven fact of nature and should be taught as such.

[QUOTE="legend26"]

to those people in texas

evolution = FACT

deal with it

EVOLV3

"You need to present other ideas to the kids."mosdef_basic

[QUOTE="legend26"]

to those people in texas

evolution = FACT

deal with it

EVOLV3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KY5ArW3Ncfo&feature=dir

Are you sure these guys are right? Tell me scientist are those honest people who never lie....

Evolution AFAIK in the UK education isn't completely taught (to the point it contradicts creationism) until Year 10/11 and at that point they have a choice whether they want to continue to study science or not.Famiking

You do realise the evolution is a religion, it is a set of beliefs of the world. It does the same thing as religion in a sense, accept have any moral convictions, but it is idea on how we got here. So basically religion is being promoted in public schools:shock:. It does not matter if it is true or not, it is still religion. Plus it is not true science, you can't observe it, its a belief really. Creationist dont doubt science, we doubt that evolution is science.

SegaGenesisfan

Also are conservatism, gravity and general relativity religions?