By a vote of 94-3, Louisiana's House of Representatives today passed an academic freedom bill that would protect teachers and school districts who wish to promote critical thinking and objective discussion about evolution and other scientific topics.Read the rest here.There was no vocal opposition, and the floor speech by Rep. Frank Hoffman made clear that the bill was about science, not religion.
"This bill promotes good science education by protecting the academic freedom of science teachers," said Dr. John West, Vice President for Public Policy and Legal Affairs at Discovery Institute. "Critics who claim the bill promotes religion instead of science either haven't read the bill or are putting up a smokescreen to divert attention from the censorship that has been going on."
Known as the Louisiana Science Education Act, the bill now goes to the Louisiana Senate for final concurrence. The Senate previously passed the bill by a vote of 35-0, but a minor amendment adopted by the House means that the Senate must pass the bill again.
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Louisiana Heading For Creationism Law
Posted on: June 12, 2008 9:54 AM, by Greg Laden
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Greg,
I'm curious - are you saying their denials of this as a promotion of ID/Creationism are to be dismissed as flimsy, or are you saying that it's sad we need a law to encourage critical thinking? If the former, yeah, I'm in the camp that sees through the language and recognizes this for the ID door opening it is. And having grown up in Louisiana, I'm not surprised they are considering passing it.
If the latter, I have to say that a law in Louisiana requiring the teaching of real critical thinking skills would actually do some good. That I made it out of Public school there with such skills is a testament to my folks, not my teachers.
Posted by: Philip H. | June 12, 2008 10:12 AM
This is a law that follows the newest incarnation of the Wedge Strategy to sneak religion into the classroom.
I think critical thinking in the classroom requires well trained teachers and administrators who understand that the number one goal in a school is learning.
Posted by: Greg Laden | June 12, 2008 10:28 AM
I think it's time to rethink calling the Theory of Evolution a 'theory' and start calling them Evolutionary Laws (or something similar.) People are far to ignorant to understand the difference between scientific theory and detective show theory. The next paper that involves evolution just say it's been proven a fact (which it was) and change the 'theory' into law. It;s the only thing these people will understand. the fact that 55% of people don't know the sun is a star, shows you how science illiterate they really are.
Love the blog!
best,
Brett
Posted by: Brett Booth | June 12, 2008 12:22 PM
Call it what you want. The nomenclature isn't arbitray. Laws are completely different concepts than theories, and I see no reason to change that to accommodate people easily confused by terminology. The answer is to stress basic science education so that people understand what "theory" means.
Posted by: Mike Haubrich, FCD | June 12, 2008 12:58 PM
i find it interesting that source of the article on the fox website is the discovery institute.
Posted by: rob | June 12, 2008 1:26 PM
I have to admit, I just threw this up because I knew it has happened (I'd been following the bill's progress of course). I will provide actual commentary later. Soon. Ish.
Posted by: Greg Laden | June 12, 2008 1:30 PM
"This bill promotes good science education by protecting the academic freedom of science teachers," said Dr. John West, Vice President for Public Policy and Legal Affairs at Discovery Institute.
Just like Expelled "protected" the DI project of legitimate scientific challenges to the ToE and didn't engage in any unwarranted propaganda and namecalling against its advocates, right?
Idiot.
Posted by: Chris Krolczyk | June 12, 2008 7:48 PM
TRUE SCIENCE DOES NOT HAVE TO SNEAK IN VIA A BACK DOOR. TRUTH STANDS UNDAUNTED BEFORE THE WORLD AND WILL WALK THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR.
THE BIGGER PICTURE IN THE DEBATE ON DARWINISM IS NOT INTELLIGENT DESIGN.
The reason is elementary: the Discovery Institute and other ID proponents leave out the Triune God, Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. Hence, Richard Dawkins can make the case for �aliens� seeding the earth.
The Quest for Right, a series of 7 textbooks created for the public schools, represents the ultimate marriage between an in-depth knowledge of biblical phenomena and natural and physical sciences. The several volumes have accomplished that which, heretofore, was deemed impossible: to level the playing field between those who desire a return to physical science in the classroom and those who embrace the theory of evolution. The Quest for Right turns the tide by providing an authoritative and enlightening scientific explanation of natural phenomena which will ultimately dethrone the unprofitable Darwinian view.
"I am amazed at the breadth of the investigation - scientific history, biblical studies, geology, biology, geography, astronomy, chemistry, paleontology, and so forth - and find the style of writing to be quite lucid and aimed clearly at a general, lay audience." ― Mark Roberts, former Editor of Biblical Reference Books, Thomas Nelson Publishers.
The Quest for Right series of books, based on physical science, the old science of cause and effect, has effectively dismantled the quantum additions to the true architecture of the atom. Gone are the nonexistent particles once thought to be complementary to the electron and proton (examples: neutrons, neutrinos, photons, mesons, quarks, Z's, bosons, etc.) and a host of other pseudo particles.
To the curious, scientists sought to explain Atomic theory by introducing fantastic particles that supposedly came tumbling out of the impact between two particles, when in fact, the supposed finds were simply particulate debris. There are only two elementary particles which make up the whole of the universe: the proton and electron. All other particles were added via quantum magic and mathematical elucidation in an attempt to explain earthly phenomena without God.
Introducing the scheme of coincidence, which by definition, "is the systematic ploy of obstructionists who, in lieu of any divine intervention, state that any coincidental grouping or chance union of electrons and protons (and neutrons), regardless of the configuration, always produces a chemical element. This is the mischievous tenet of electron interpretation which states that all physical, chemical, and biological processes result from a change in the electron structure of the atom which, in turn, may be deciphered through the orderly application of mathematics, as outlined in quantum mechanics. A few of the supporting theories are: degrading stars, neutron stars, black holes, extraterrestrial water, antimatter, the absolute dating systems, and the big bang, the explosion of a singularity infinitely smaller than the dot of an �i� from which space, time, and the massive stellar bodies supposedly sprang into being.
The Quest for Right is not only better at explaining natural phenomena, but also may be verified through testing. As a consequence, the material in the several volumes will not violate the so-called constitutional separation of church and state. Physical science, the old science of cause and effect, will have a long-term sustainability, replacing irresponsible doctrines based on whim. Teachers and students will rejoice in the simplicity of earthly phenomena when entertained by the new discipline.
The Quest for Right. http://questforright.com
Posted by: C. David Parsons | June 12, 2008 11:09 PM
@ C David PArsons :
If you are not a Poe,my friend,I strongly urge you to seek medical attention.
Posted by: clinteas | June 13, 2008 5:35 AM
Digg this up:
Stephanie Grace of the Times Picayune calls out Bobby Jindal on his obfuscation and deception regarding this bill.
My submission on Digg
Her article needs National attention.
Posted by: JanieBelle | June 29, 2008 11:17 AM