An Evolution Fight Brewing in Texas

I guess this just goes to show how out of touch I am with things going on in Texas after being gone for almost three years. I didn't know until I saw it on a ScienceBlogs homepage buzz that Chris Comer--who was forced out of her job as the Texas Education Agency's director of science curriculum last November for forwarding an innocuous evolution-related email--is suing to get her job back. You can see the full lawsuit here. I think it's always a bit risky when we put science on trial (as could easily happen here if this isn't settled out of court), since it takes scientific judgments out of the hands of scientific experts. But, Comer is clearly in the right here, since not only was the TEA's position that it "doesn't take a position on evolution" absolutely absurd, but it wasn't clear that she violated any TEA policy anyway. So, more power to her.

More like this

Tit for tat. It's okay to fire teachers for teaching creationism, but not fair to fire someone for breaking TEA policy.

BESIDES WHICH, 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

It's not every day that I see a comment that completely blows the doors off. This is one of them. Thank you, C. David Parsons, for having the GUTS to fight the good fight against neutrons. We are all in your debt.

You seriously haven't seen Parsons before, D.G.? This is mostly a cut-and-paste of one of his standard spiels for his book. He spams evolution-related discussions all over the web with these, including many here at ScienceBlogs. The entire internet should be equipped with a C. David Parsons killfile.

Honestly, until now I'd never been introduced to Scientist Extraordinaire Mr. Parsons. It's always exciting when one from the woo set wanders into the realm of physics. Reading the excerpts on Amazon truly made my night. I can only hope that CDP has a long and prolific career.

I'm particularly curious how the Quest for Right integrates Paleontology with religious timeframes.
Science suggests humans and dinosaurs are separated by 65 millions years, ignoring the potential birds are evolved dinosaurs that survived the nuclear winter after a meteor impact. Christianity suggests dinosaurs lived less than 6000 years ago. I'm all for Jesus's teachings (his ideas are a very powerful positive influence in my life), but not for Christianity because, among other things it can't explain dinosaur bones. Can the Quest for Right explain dinosaur fossils to me? I would become a born again Christian if so.
If not, Canada would be welcome to employ all scientifically skilled professionals in Texas and elsewhere in the USA, just as the USA was once a beacon of progress to the rest of the world. When a right-wing opposition party in Ontario (province in Canada) added public funding for teaching creationism in their platform, they got destroyed in polls and in the election. Canada is very grateful towards the USA for once demonstrating a progressive scientifically literate society and is repaying in kind.

By Phillip Huggan (not verified) on 07 Jul 2008 #permalink

-I'm particularly curious how the Quest for Right integrates Paleontology with religious timeframes.-

As a rough guess off the top of my head...either goddidit, or scientistsarewrongitsaconspiracy...nazinazinazi

By Richard eis (not verified) on 08 Jul 2008 #permalink

Phillip, it's not worth replying to him -- I don't think he generally read replies or follows up, he mostly just spams with his book pitch. He's certainly not going to engage in reasonable discussion if he does reply.

Regarding this spamming in the first place -- what technology platform does ScienceBlogs operate on? Doesn't it support any custom plugins, or even "obscenities" lists of words/phrases that aren't allowed in comments? It shouldn't be hard to block him; he always posts the same text!

At the very least you can force him to invest a little more time in his spamming....

Quick update -- I noticed while submitting the comment they you're using Movable Type. Are you allowed to install plugins? See here:
http://jayallen.org/projects/mt-blacklist/latest/index

That would do the trick. You don't have to prevent him posting, after all. If he wants to *write* actual new comments and join the discussion, he wouldn't be prevented -- but you'd be able to block him from posting the same damned thing trying to sell his book.

I haven't been spammed by Parsons before, so I'll let it stand. Besides, this comment has clearly provided plenty of fodder for everyone else.

Ah... I've seen a dozen or so of them already, and I'm a relative new reader of scienceblogs.

It does stir up more posts, but the issue for me is that it's the *same* fodder, over and over again, so people waste their time and energy responding to his garbage when they could be actually engaging in useful new discussions. Kind of the definition of "troll", from my POV.

Forget Parsons, let's discuss the post...

....I'm not an American, but I would have thought it just might be standard policy on getting a government job that you have to swear to uphold the constitution, or something to that effect.

So, the constitution supports keeping the church out of the classroom. Does state policy somehow trump the constitution in your country?

Can the Quest for Right explain dinosaur fossils to me? I would become a born again Christian if so.

The underlying thread of The Quest for Right is the origin and demise of the dinosaurs. As one can imagine, the King James interpreters of the Bible were working in a scientific void. There were simply some words that they could not possibly translate correctly. To wit, in the verse, "And God created great whales..." the original Hebrew is tanniyn, tan-neen, a marine or land monster. The root word is tan, tan, meaning to elongate; a monster (as preternaturally formed). While this would include the whale, it would have also included any species of a gigantic size, to include marine and land dinosaurs.

The history of the earth, the Bible, describes dinosaurs from head to tail, how first man attempted to trap them in nets and spear them. Expect more than one movie to be based on this book.

You may also be interested to learn that early quantum physicists, as Rutherford, attempted to delve into the mystery of the atom working in a scientific void. The Quest for Right not only corrects history with more encompassing translations, but also explains what really went on in these early scientific experiments. As a result, the investigation will prove that the neutron does not exist per se; it is simply a strut (a-particle) in a reversed-neutral phase. Things will never be the same after this.

Regarding the scathing reviews on Amazon, these are by known atheists and evolutionists. Can one expect an atheist to give an unbiased review on creationism? I think not, as they hate The Quest for Truth, er... The Quest for Right.

An honest man of good report will love the series. A hater of God will hate them. There you have it.

http://questforright.com

As an ex-Nukee student (booted from the program without criminal charges being filed, thank you), I'd be interested to see if the Quest for Right indicates any way to make it easier to generate neutrons (by any name). Now, where was that website selling uranium ore chunks on-line again...

Back to the original subject here, how is Science on trial in this case? She violated no rules and that's what should be on trial.

Problem is, was she "as hired"? It's a term I've only recently heard so I may be confused about it. Basically, an "as hired" person can be fired for any reason or no reason. In fact, that kind of employment is the reason for which unions were invented.

Mebbe I should go look as the lawsuit.

Rob, my replies are meant for teachers or students that may or may not contribute to Texas's economy, such as their cutting-edge nanotechnology hubs. And for Texas legislators who wish to build a tax-base. I wouldn't bother replying if CDP's position wasn't Texas Law. It is a shock to me that Texas doesn't take a position on evolution.
C.D.Parsons, we have archealogical records of when tools first appeared. We also have fossil records of when dinosaurs appeared. The Texas economy itself is based upon 100 million yr old dinos. The books of the Bible were chosen by people, and nowhere in the red text are dinos mentioned. (To my knowledge) Dinosaur fossils weren't discovered until the 19th century. Just who is this contemporary writer of the Quest for Right? L Ron Hubbard?

By Phillip Huggan (not verified) on 08 Jul 2008 #permalink

My, that C. David Parsons certainly does get around! I've had to delete his spam at my own blog.

In any case, the situation here in Texas certainly is heating up. It's something we all need to keep a very close eye on.

Well, Nick, Parsons is answering the questions put to him so how can you accuse him of spam because of that. Shouldn't everyone here be entitled to answer a question put to them or to their opinion. I've read the first two volumes of The Quest for Right by the way and I think they are very enlightening and informative books. If you haven't read them, don't knock them.

What about a sequel:
The Quest for Right Part II: Ultimate Righteousness

It could have a little battery operated music box, playing when you open the cover Enter Sandman by Metallica. ULTIMATE. RIGHTEOUSNESS.