Here we go again. As expected, state Sen. Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville, followed up on a promise from three weeks ago and filed a bill today that would require Florida teachers to offer a "thorough presentation and critical analysis of the scientific theory of evolution."
As the Florida Citizens for Science noted on its blog, SB 2396 also calls for changes in civics instruction, including adding "the historical context in which the Declaration of Independence was drafted and signed." We haven't seen a House counterpart yet. The ACLU has already promised a fight.
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Uhh, Aaron...
Religion is based on faith, science is based on fact. Or, can you take a scientific team to the Garden of Eden and find that snake's skeleton?
If I can't replicate a scientific experiment, I have to find out why something happened. More experiments, more investigation. Digging deeper.
If I can't validate something from the Bible, all you can tell me is that I have to believe. That's all you can do. Well, I guess maybe I could then try to validate the Hindu creation myth... or the Native American creation myths... or the Shinto creation myth... or the Roman mythological creation myths...
But, I'm afraid I'll come up with the same results.
There is no place in science class for religion or 'faith'. Science should be science, and religion should be taught in religious studies..
Besides, the US Constitution - in the FIRST amendment, says the government can't establish a religion or prevent you from worshiping. So, go to church on Sunday and worship there...
This 'teach to the controversy' stuff is a smoke screen for religious indoctrination.
Just teach science.
Posted by: Larry | July 28, 2009 at 01:14 PM
.....Why do evolutionists live their lives in fear of alternative views? The rants that I have seen have supported a fear of the unknown. I have seen a lot of complaints about people who believe the Bible. The last time that an organized religion got together with the university as buddies, Galileo, the Bible quoting scientist, got thrown into jail until he agreed with the educational norm. Now you rant and rave as if you want to be the next Inquisition. I challenge you to show that you are strong in your evolutionary confidence and allow other voices to be heard. A student that is wise enough to hear about sex ed. in junior high is wise enough to discern what model of science is right for them. If you prefer to live in fear of alternative models, prove me right - call me an idiot. I will thank you for your insults with smug relish.
.....Yet, I encourage evolutionists everywhere to take a chance that someone else's voice might be worth hearing. If Darwinism is truly valid, it will not fall to other theories. But here is the test of fear vs. open minded thinkers, will another theory when heard with an open mind, make better sense.
That is the risk that a true scientist has to take.
Posted by: Aaron an American River College student | April 13, 2009 at 09:31 PM
How about asking "Wise" to add sex education to his list. Abstinence only has done a great job in driving up the teen pregnancy rate. Now we need a "thorough presentation and critical analysis of the scientific" theories relating to sex education to remedy our sadly lacking sex ed.
Posted by: kmlisle | February 28, 2009 at 05:21 PM
Wasting our money on this when we are in a budget crisis is criminal. Why can't Republican legislators do some real work for a change, like raising revenues to save our children's education? Remember in November!
Posted by: Vote State Sen. Stephen Wise Out! | February 28, 2009 at 02:37 PM
As expected, state Sen. Stephen Wise, R-Jacksonville, followed up on a promise from three weeks ago and filed a bill today that would require Florida teachers to offer a "thorough presentation and critical analysis of the scientific theory of evolution."
Like most uneducated Christians, the cowardly Senator Wise is terrified of evolution (also known as reality). Grow up Senator Wise, the idea that all life evolved and all life is related is a scientific fact. People are part of nature. Our species was not created out of nothing by your magic space man.
Senator Wise, keep your drooling stupidity in your church. Biology teachers don't want and don't need your worthless advice.
Posted by: bobxxxx | February 28, 2009 at 01:19 PM
That this clown is named "Wise" is a joke in itself.
Posted by: retiredteacher | February 28, 2009 at 08:55 AM
Oh yeah, I forgot, could we have the acceleration due to gravity changed to 30 ft per second squared instead of 32?
Posted by: JohnM | February 27, 2009 at 11:49 PM
The bill would require "a thorough presentation and critical analysis of the scientific theory of evolution."
I could live with, and actively support, this legislation if
(1) it required "a thorough presentation and critical analysis" of all other parts of the curriculum, and
(2) it wasn't an obvious attempt (given Sen. Wise's previous comments and the inclusion of mom and apple pie in his amendment) to get non-science into the science classroom via the back door.
Evolution SHOULD be thoroughly presented and critically analyzed, as should gravitation, the heliocentric model of the solar system, cell theory, the theory of relativity, geometry, algebra, trigonometry, Spanish, German, French, literature, grammar, spelling, etc. For topics in science they should be "critically analyzed" in the scientific sense, with SCIENTIFIC (not pseudo-scientific, thinly veiled religious) alternative explanations considered, with their strengths and weaknesses.
Perhaps the people who should be most upset with this legislation are those fundamental creationists who would be forced by this to actually teach evolution and present it thoroughly. No more ignoring it because it doesn't mesh with your beliefs. Oh, SNAP! Bet Sen. Wise didn't think about THAT in his "critical analysis" of his bill.
Posted by: Pat Connolly | February 27, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Okay, (UN)Wise:
Stop wasting tax payers' money. Do the job that needs to be done and find out a way to help this state out of its financial bind. If you are "critically analyzed", it's obvious you're a MORON. Next, you'll want to repeal the Law of Gravity.
Posted by: FSM | February 27, 2009 at 09:59 PM
Wise is an idiot. Even the pope accepts evolution.
Posted by: retiredteacher | February 27, 2009 at 06:55 PM
How can we ever be a world leader in this nation when we have leaders who are so utterly ignorant of science? And by the way, I go to church and try to follow Jesus' lessons, but as my church says, "the Bible is truth, not fact." Get facts from science. Get truth about how to live your life from meaningful spiritual experience. Stop the creation nonsense.
Posted by: j | February 27, 2009 at 06:45 PM
This is just another religious ploy to sneek creationism into the school classroom. Shame on you Sen(not so)Wise.
Posted by: IvoryGirl | February 27, 2009 at 05:35 PM
What a waste of our time and taxpayers' dollars.
Posted by: | February 27, 2009 at 05:30 PM
Could we please have a legislator to write a bill making the value of pi to be 3.00, it would make math so much easier.
Posted by: JohnM | February 27, 2009 at 05:20 PM