SB 733, a creationist bill in the Louisiana legislature, was approved on a lopsided vote in the Louisiana House of Representatives today. It now moves back to the Senate, where small differences between this bill and the Senate version must be reconciled before it can go to Governor Jindal. Jindal is a leading contender for John McCain's vice presidential nomination.
In response to this and other attacks on the teaching of evolution in Louisiana, the indefatigable Barbara Forrest (author of Creationism's Trojan Horse: The Wedge of Intelligent Design) and other activists in the Pelican State have organized a group to advocate for accurate science education.
Here's their take on this event:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New group stands up for sound science education in Louisiana
LA Coalition for Science decries House support for SB 733, calls for Senate to reject bill
Baton Rouge, LA, June 11, 2008 – In response to numerous attacks on science education in the Bayou State, concerned parents, teachers and scientists are getting organized. The new group Louisiana Coalition for Science calls upon the Senate to oppose SB 733, a bill which will open the door to creationism in public schools.
Barbara Forrest, a professor of philosophy at Southeastern Louisiana University and a founding member of the Louisiana Coalition for Science (LCFS), says, "The legislature shouldn't be allowing creationists to undermine Louisiana public schools. The House of Representatives just gave the Religious Right a green light to use other people's children for their own agenda." Forrest is the author of Creationism's Trojan Horse: The Wedge of Intelligent Design and has served as an expert witness on the issue of intelligent design creationism. "The Louisiana legislature tried to force creationism into public schools in 1981, and they lost in the U. S. Supreme Court. The Discovery Institute, a national creationist organization, and the Louisiana Family Forum are using the same old tricks, but with new labels. In Kitzmiller et al. v. Dover Area School District in 2005, I showed that intelligent design was cooked up as a new name for the same old creationist arguments, and the strategy behind this bill is no different. Despite their denials, even the bill's backers know that SB 733 is a creationist bill written in creationist code language." The 1987 Supreme Court decision in Edwards v. Aguillard overturned a Louisiana law requiring teachers to "balance" the teaching of evolution with creationism. In the Kitzmiller case, a federal judge in Pennsylvania ruled that intelligent design is a form of creationism and that teaching it is an unconstitutional entanglement of religion with the state.
Patsye Peebles, a veteran biology teacher from Baton Rouge and a founding member of the Louisiana Coalition for Science, agrees that the bill should be rejected. "I was a biology teacher for 22 years, and I never needed the legislature to tell me how to present anything. This bill doesn't solve any of the problems classroom teachers face, and it will make it harder for us to keep the focus on accurate science in science classrooms. Evolution isn't scientifically controversial, and we don't need the legislature substituting its judgment for the scientists and science teachers who actually know the subject."
SB 733 lists evolution as an issue deserving of special scrutiny. Scientificorganizations, including the National Academy of Sciences, the American Institute of Biological Sciences, and the National Association of Biology Teachers have spoken out against this tactic of singling evolution out for criticism.
Betsy Irvine, a Presbyterian minister in Baton Rouge, explains, "Evolution is very strong science, and its place in science class should be uncontroversial. Many Christian traditions, including Catholicism, acknowledge the compatibility of evolution and Christian faith. It is shameful to see people sowing division on this subject. The spirit behind these attacks isn't just bad science, it's bad theology. This bill is an attack on the millions of faithful Christians who accept evolution. The best way both to protect the teaching of science in our public schools and to show respect for the religious freedom of all Louisiana residents is to unequivocally reject SB 733."
Forrest, who testified against the bill before the House Education Committee, calls upon the Senate to reject the bill. "Now that the House has passed the bill, the Senate has one more chance to do the right thing. The entire country is watching. They should reject this bill and let teachers do their jobs. This bill is being pushed by creationist groups and does nothing to help Louisiana, our teachers, or our children. It's heartbreaking to see so few people willing to stand up for Louisiana."
Forrest also commends the three legislators Rep. Patricia Haynes Smith, Rep. Jean-Paul Morrell, and Rep. Karen Carter Peterson who had the courage and integrity to speak out for the children of Louisiana by voting against the bill. "These three legislators put principle over politics. What a shame that 94 others could not do the same thing."
Louisiana Coalition for Science is a grassroots group working to protect the teaching of science in Louisiana. See http://lasciencecoalition.org.
Contacts:
Barbara Forrest barbara.forrest@gmail.com 985-974-4244
Patsye Peebles patsye.peebles@gmail.com 225-336-9023
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I would say that this may not pass, but they should still punish all those who voted for it. What kind of idiots would allow something like that?
CONGRATULATIONS ON THE ATTEMPT TO TURN THE TIDE AGAINST THOSE WHO OBSTRUCT TRUE SCIENCE IN THE CLASSROOM. Now, bring in the big guns to finish the job.
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
We tend to forget how all this got started. One paranoid woman, Mad Ellen turned democracy on it's head when she intimidated a whole nation into censoring religion in all public places. She then somehow dissapeared off the face of the earth.
She was mortified that her young son might be influenced and "in her mind" corrupted by religion if allowed to spend time in an environment that wasn't atheistic.
For her the fear was that her atheism, and very big ego, might be questioned by her son. We also know that "atheism" is often a mask for antireligous hatred and bigotry.
Now, a new state religion has taken root as a result. The thing that so many atheists have feared has happened anyway. The old religion of nature worship and devotion. Children are taught to work to "save the environment" and stuff.
Evolution is the great creation story that must be promoted and taught as the absolute authority. Children are now forbidden to hear about "creationism" and "intelligent design" (which to them is anything that questions athiestic evolutionary dogma).
Allmighty science has everything figured out these days. How life began, the origin of the universe, the unlimited design skills of "natural selection". Some folks don't buy all that. Besides, look at todays public school classroom. Has it become a more save and nurturing place for children? How have the kids benefited from this new "religion free" environment?
Wayne Hollyoak
Do these dimwits somehow think that if they keep banging their heads against the door of science it will magically disintegrate?
I'm reminded of that warehouse wall in the movie "Who Framed Roger Rabbit" which falls away towards the end of the movie to reveal cartoon land behind it, bright and sunny with little critters singing.
Is that what they expect? The solid wall of reality will vanish if they push at it hard enough, frequently enough, wooden-headedly enough?
Or is it simply that they believe that people will eventually be worn-down by their dogged persistence and tiredly say "The Hell with it, let them teach mythology in the science classroom"?
We absolutely cannot let that happen no matter how bemusing or tiresome of their antics become.
The Discovery Institute has realized that they can't get their way in the courts, so now they are trying another strategy...carpet bombing America with so-called Academic Freedom bills. This will likely be a more successful strategy since state house representatives and senators rely on public opinion to stay in office. Who can be against the plight of the persecuted teacher? They might as well have slapped a few pictures of kittens on their bills to garner more sympathy votes.
The supplemental materials that will be allowed aren't required to represent scientific theories. It's enough that they point out so-called "weaknesses" in evolution, but it doesn't prevent them from proposing Intelligent Design. And once that happens, religion has found the back door to the classroom because ID = Religion. That's not just me saying it...that's a legal opinion that came out of the Kitzmiller v. Dover trial. Anyone saying otherwise is throwing up a smokescreen because they don't want you to see Jesus in disguise sneaking into science class.
It's sad that Louisiana politicians ignore Science. What if they ignored scientific predictions of a big hurricane that -- oh -- never mind.
Read up on C David Parsons, creationist:
http://primordial-blog.blogspot.com/2008/06/c-david-parsons-may-be-loon…
From the url:
For those not up to speed, C. David Parsons wrote and self published a series of science books called the Quest For Right and then sent them to school boards all over the U.S. with the aim of replacing false Darwinian science with "real science".
Here's a sample of what he has been posting on the internet in the last couple of years:
In addition, Darwin was a FLAMING HOMOSEXUAL. Do you want your kids to learn theorys by a raging HOMO? Fags want to insert there penises into other mens anuses. Is that what you want taught in public schools? Sounds like it to me. Have fun in hell.
C. David Parsons, Splendid Elles [Comments (73)] [2008-Jun-04]
Wow, what a clear-minded intellectual!
God save us from C. David Parsons.
Either I don't get the sarcasm in the second and third Post (it has happened before and I am perfectly OK with being wrong) or I am equally disturbed by them as with the article itself. The second actually sounds like a commercial for a series of books that marries true science and really well publicized fiction.
@Pockets881: Welcome to the internet -- it's not sarcasm, it's the creationist community offering their "side".
Experience shows it's not much good to argue with them directly and expect any progress (not a surprise, as the first guy, for example, has already apparently invested the time to fill 7 "textbooks" with his tripe... think he's going to rethink it now?) though when they try to make actual points, it can be worthwhile to point out the flaws, as this can be educational for other readers.
The above posts seem to be pretty much just rants, nothing specific enough or anywhere close enough to reality to bother with, alas.... Posts that show up on more specific kinds of posts can occasionally be more interesting.
vos Post: Your brevity astounds me. Well put.
Pockets881: I think you give Parsons too much credit in thinking he let true science get anywhere near his work.
Actually, if you read the comments on that post of mine about C. David Parsons which was quoted above (Primordial Blog), it turns out that the "Darwin was a flaming homosexual" comment was made by an impersonator named Corey Washington who was trying to make Parsons look even worse than he already does.
That being said, C. David Parsons doesn't seem to have difficulty making an ass of himself so I'm not sure why someone thought he needed the help.
Read thier arguments then decide.
It is interesting that again we have the secular defenders of Darwinism using the argument that telling the truth to students about the known information concerning evolution is an attack by Creationists. The bill does not even require that Creationism or Intelligent design be taught. The bill only permits the known scientific information to be taught, such as the known evidence of mutation processes in cells, the emperical evidence of the known fossil evidence of Evolution. Heaven forbid that the students should learn anything about DNA, RNA, Proteins, amino acids, codons that would conflict with secular Darwinism. You see them bringing out thier big guns whenever there is a threat to tell the student the currently known scientific information if that information conflicts with the Darwinist world view. When you read threats, name calling and distortions of the truth you will always find an evolutionist who does not know the facts or knowing the facts is unwilling to engage in open debate. Shame on them for wanting to keep the students ignorant of the truth to defend thier mostly secular atheist world view. One must ask, why are they afraid of open debate of the science. Such a head in the sand attitude will lead to ignorance not better scientists.
#2 & #3 - Poe's Law??
Uh, and Wayne: One paranoid woman, Mad Ellen [really, really sic]turned democracy on it's head when she intimidated a whole nation into censoring religion in all public places. She then somehow dissapeared [sic] off the face of the earth.
The name you are looking for is Madelyn Murray O'Hair. Betcha' didn't even try to make it a joke, it just came out that way.
#13 The bill only permits the known scientific information to be taught, such as the known evidence of mutation processes in cells, the emperical [sic] evidence of the known fossil evidence of Evolution.
Hardly. If you wanted to teach the empirical evidence for evolution, it would take all school day, every day from about 3rd grade to old age. But that would only include the material that was known when the student started 3rd grade, it wouldn't take into account the new knowledge gained during that time. Since when are high school teachers equipped to even teach more than about three week's worth of evidence. What you don't know, Thomas, are the ways to actually find out this kind of information instead of parroting some other creationist's lies. Now run along to your local university library and enlighten yourself.
Only protons and electrons without neutrons, photons, neutrinos and such??? (Quest for Right) Really? This stuff was not made up on a whim, It has been detected time and again in labs the world over. While the above is good for a laugh, if you really want to go down a rabbit hole, check out fixedearth.com. It turns out that Copernicus was really a secret Kabballist out to undermine christianity when he falsely proved that the earth went around the sun.
I love God, it's his fans I can't stand.
Secularism is for adults and is designed to prevent government institutions from being overrun by the puerile and willfully ignorant.
ID is a hoax. If one, after using, refrigerators, washing machines and visiting Doctors and Dentists don't believe in modern science then they want their children raised by ignorance. Consider that the Moon is made of green cheese. Consider that the earth has four corners or that external forces are governed by internal desires and you have a nation of witch hunts and people that will eventually govern themselves by human and animal sacrafice.
Incidentally . . . Why aren't Churches be taxed? They should be.
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This is a stupid decision.