Crazy Anti-Evolution Bills in New Hampshire

I mention the New Hampshire anti-evolution bills at The X Blog. Here's an update from the NCSE:

The two antievolution bills in the New Hampshire legislature attracted the attention of the Concord Monitor (December 29, 2011). As NCSE previously reported, House Bill 1148, introduced by Jerry Bergevin (R-District 17), would charge the state board of education to "[r]equire evolution to be taught in the public schools of this state as a theory, including the theorists' political and ideological viewpoints and their position on the concept of atheism," while House Bill 1457, introduced by Gary Hopper (R-District 7) and John Burt (R-District 7), would charge the state board of education to "[r]equire science teachers to instruct pupils that proper scientific inquire [sic] results from not committing to any one theory or hypothesis, no matter how firmly it appears to be established, and that scientific and technological innovations based on new evidence can challenge accepted scientific theories or modes."

Bergevin told the Monitor, "I want the full portrait of evolution and the people who came up with the ideas to be presented. It's a worldview and it's godless." He reportedly blamed the acceptance of evolution for the atrocities of Nazi Germany and the 1999 Columbine shooting. NCSE's executive director Eugenie C. Scott explained, however, that "Evolutionary scientists are Democrats and Republicans, Libertarians and Greens and everything. Similarly, their religious views are all over the map, too. ... If you replace atheism in the bill with Protestantism, or Catholicism, or Judaism or any other view, it's clear to see it's not going to pass legal muster." She also noted that the bill would presumably require teachers to ascertain the political and religious views of every scientist mentioned in their biology textbooks, a requirement which she characterized as "pretty dopey."

More here.

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She also noted that the bill would presumably require teachers to ascertain the political and religious views of every scientist mentioned in their biology textbooks

If we only taught science from those who were "Christians", we'd still get a great deal of the core sciences taught as many of the big names in science did profess a religious belief of some type (I presume then teachers would have to make a checklist of the Apostles Creed to determine the relative "holiness" of each scientist--the more items you can check off, the more reliable that person's science is and therefore, should be emphasized above others who are not so "holy").

In what simple childish world do you have to live to think that it is all atheists pushing evolution and an ancient universe? Is Bergevin really this stupid or is he just pandering to some of his more vocal voters?
--dan

By Daniel J. Andrews (not verified) on 29 Dec 2011 #permalink

ED@3:

If I ever invented a time machine I would break into darwin's home and take a crap on his bed, maybe the table too.

And all this time we've been thinking that evolution deniers were mentally ill...

Stop being a dumbass for once.

By Drivebyposter (not verified) on 29 Dec 2011 #permalink

From Wiki
"The U.S. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine has issued an advisory indicating the marketing claims made about colloidal silver are scientifically unsupported, the silver content of marketed supplements varies widely, and colloidal silver products can have serious side effects to the consumer, including "argyria,... neurologic problems (such as seizures), kidney damage, stomach distress, headaches, fatigue, and skin irritation."

Sounds like you have some imaginary allies Ed....

I would go with mentally challenged.

I call poe on Evolution Denier. Just in case he or she is serious, however, I went and donated $100 to CSLDF. Get a tax deduction, support climate realism and piss off a denier -- best use of $100 I can think of.

By Mal Adapted (not verified) on 30 Dec 2011 #permalink

ED@5:

Not to worry, zinc, colloidal silver, echinacea,Vitamic C and elderberry are my allies.

As are Bart Sibrel, Richard C. Hoagland, Geraldo Rivera and the guy who took Paul McCartney's spot in the Beatles.

Only two more days until your meds are renewed, son. Hang in there...

I suspect Evolution Denier can play a mean banjo too with all those fingers.

He ain't descended from no ape, no siree. He's more closely related intellectually to a slime mold. But it's Gawd's own slime mold not no goddamn evolved slime mold.

@Evolution Denier

I hope you do not use modern medication and only use bloodletting and prayer