Georgia official proposes striking word 'evolution' from school curriculum
 

http://www.usatoday.com/news/educati...volution_x.htm

The state's school superintendent has proposed striking the word evolution from Georgia's science curriculum and replacing it with the phrase "biological changes over time."

:warning

get out of the states now.

the witch burnings are only about a year or so away


:1orglaugh

.

. wtf

Yet another reason why you should teach your child at home rather than handing him over to someone else.

Schools are supposed to be about learning, not political correctness. Test scores are disgusting, they can't control the kids anymore, the things they're teaching in 8th grade they used to teach in 3rd, high schoolers are graduating with the equivalent of a 4th grade education...

Homeschool, folks. It's the oldest school around and it's still the best.

Only if the do the same for anything related to creation. :)

You kept getting "page not found" errors too, eh?
I figured there'd be 3 copies of mine when it finally went through.

"Superintendent Kathy Cox said the concept of evolution would still be taught under the proposal, but the word would not be used. The proposal would not require schools to buy new textbooks omitting the word evolution and would not prevent teachers from using it. "

What's the fucking point of this?

I can't believe anyone would even propose this idea. what is this country coming to?

yeah not sure what was up with that but came back to a bunch of repeat posts.

Hardcore Christian Fundamentalism

I propose we remove the word "Orange" from our entire state's textbooks. Children would need to buy more textbooks that do not contain this "buzzword". The color does exist you just can't mention this word.

Thank you.

contrary to popular belief southerners are not all dumb.

Ya georgia has one of the nations lowest test scores, and this women things this can improve the system

but there still plenty of other positive things :)

Amen to that.


Children do need interaction with other kids though... or they wind up placing classified ads to be killed and eaten alive.


Catch 22?

With many schools they've already done that with red and green... but in a more subtle way. You can't say/write "Christmas" in class or anywhere on school grounds. It's definitely racism against red and green.

:Graucho

You may learn more depending on the parents but your kids will have no social interaction with the world. That is what sucks about homeschooling. I was homeschooled untill highschool so I know.

I would call for a LYNCHING if I lived in Georgia. Ignorance is bliss, but dumbing down the entire state is ri-cock-ulous

And some people actually wonder why kids are so screwed up today. While they are changing words they ought to change the words "High School" to "Bipolar Training Camp":(

She's not proposing the change to improve test scores, she's proposing it because she's bowing to the pressure of Christian parents lobbying to have evolution removed from being taught in school.

Christians do not want evolution taught in school because they believe it's false and untrue, and they won't be happy until public schools teach children that God (Christian God) created everything.

It's not a catch 22 at all. Think about it.
In school you're shoved into a room with 20-30 other kids your own age and those are the *only* people you interact with... for the next 12 years.
You're taught to shun anyone younger, you can't relate to or converse with anyone older, your main focus is on what that small, concentrated group of classmates thinks of you.

Out in the real world though, it's not like that. Homeschooled kids interact with people of all ages, in all different types of situations. Real-life situations, which you'll never reproduce inside a school. Every time they leave the house they're interacting with someone, whether it be the old lady at the nursing home or the college-aged kid at the supermarket... they learn to communicate with and relate to people of all ages in all situations.

In all honesty, the big problem with socialization and homeschooled kids is that they get *too much* of it, LOL. Most homeschool parents have to start cutting back on extra-curricular activities because they're getting run around like taxi drivers. :)

Same thing can be said for the other side, Brisk.
Evolutionists don't want the word God uttered or printed anywhere that a child can hear/see it.

It's a dumb, never-ending war between two sides that have huge missing gaps in their theories and still proclaim it to be the only thing that can be true.

I wouldn't say there are huge missing gaps in the theory of evolution. There is plenty of things we can observe and study to support the theory of evolution.

What is there to support creationism? One single dead guy named Jesus that said this is the way it is? :1orglaugh

I'd be perfectly comfortable teaching my child both theories.

Theory #1: Creation - God created everything in six days then he rested for the 7th day. the end.

Theory #2: Evolution - After the Big Bang, Life started in the simplest of forms and has evolved over billions of years into what we know today.

Scientists, Doctors and other Educated people tend to believe Theory #2 over the very outdated Theory #1.

Why do humans have tail bones but no tail?

Why do human babies "evolve" from an embryo into a fetus and so on?

Why did the Greeks use "Gods" to explain the unexplainable? Why do we now call it Greek MYTHOLOGY? What makes Christians diffent than the Greeks?

Creationism IMO, is a "The world is flat" theory, which has been disproved by Science. It will take several generations for the Christian brainwashing to wear off so that people can begin to think for themselves for once.

I have never understood why both theories can't coexist better. The Bible says, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth", nowhere am I aware of does it say anything to the effect of, "To remain exactly as first created forever."

Actually, I agree. Although I wouldn't want my kids to buy into the religious crap, I think it's important that they learn why Christians believe what they do.

In any debate, it's important to understand your opponents point of view. Especially if you want to pick it apart and point out all its flaws. :winkwink:

Yeah, but it also says:

"The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being" (Gen. 2:7)

The whole thing is gay. By taken away even a word you surpressing a beleif. If the religous dont beleve in evoloution.. Fine.. why is it though that its imposed on other people. God forbig the took out the word god from schools to replace it with the phrase" The guy who may or may not have made everything in creation":helpme

Here's the real kicker, schools don't teach evolution as fact, they teach evolution as a theory, because that's what it is, a theory.

It's a scientific theory taught in science classes, so I can see them objecting to it being taught as fact, but it isn't, it's taught as being a theory.

The point by Christian fundamentalist is what they've been doing for years; the strategy of Ralph Reed. Fundamentalist tried too hard to change things during Bush Sr.'s term in office. They were looked upon as fanatics, and was rejected in nearly every corner.

However, the new strategy now is to incorporate and compromise. Once inside, then reveal the true intention, and discard as much compromise as possible.

They have learned to take tiny steps at a time to reach their ultimate goal. Even if they loose the battle, a small victory become a step closer to achieving it. Banning the word 'evolution' is only the first tiny step.

This process has achieved tremendous strive. The current Republican congress and president owes much to them. Throw the religious extremist a few bones, and you can run away w/ the country; even if deep down, most politician aren't religious at all (nearly everyone of them cheat on their wives).:2 cents:

I have to agree w/ you 100% on the fact that evolution is only a theory, even though a strong one.

In fact, all science are basically theory. There is no absolute or ultimate truth in science. Even the absolute temperature is only absolute by current theories. Science is all about improving and changing the process. In other words, there is no innovation in absolute truth, because once you reach that point, there's no other change or opposition.

What I'm trying to say here is that religion w/ it's absolutism should not even look or compete w/ science. They are two toally different things. Faith versus randomness are two opposites. :2 cents:

Evolution isn't really being taught as a theory.
They do say that Darwin had a theory, and you study him for a week or so, but everything after that is given - and is meant to be taken - as fact.

No huge missing gaps? Okay, tell me where the missing link is.

Also you can't discredit the bible completely. We just had a discussion about this over on Op<b></b>rano. Scientists have proven that things discussed in the Bible *did* happen, that certain people *did* exist, and that cities referenced there are still around today (although in ruins or only partially exposed in archaeological digs). So some of it is truth. As to the rest of it... well... that's yet to be seen.

Both theories have merit and I think both should be taught. Since no one is absolutely SURE which one of them is correct, it should be up to the child (as he grows, matures, and studies) to decide which one he lends more credence to, if at all.

Cutting either of them out in any way is going against the entire point of education... to learn, discover new and different things, examine different ways of thinking and doing things, and to decide for yourself.

I meant relative to the HUGE gaps that creationism has.

It was where I went to school.

Don't evolutionists believe man sprang from the ground too?

God's "days" are not likely timed by the same measure as the concept of time created by man based on the movement around the sun. The earth and sun didn't exist before Genesis, but God did, so what are his days measured by? His day he created man could be the millions it appears in our experience of time and scientific "evidence" that man evolved. Fossils and skelatal remains show many changes to species on the earth over the years, largely attributed to environmental changes, but who knows for sure? But one thing is sure, evolution is a process that happens in nature and should not be removed from textbooks. Whether humans are exempt from the evolutionary process is a separate debate:)

I still say the 2 theories are more compatable than either side is willing to yield.

Religion is a big business. It does provide an important crutch for weak people.

It's not all that bad. However, letting religion creep into educational decisions is absolutely bullshit.

Religions need to confine their propaganda to their churches and temples.

Jesus! Help!

:helpme

I'm surprised this is coming from the state..Atlanta seemed so much more cosmopolitan

Having lived in Macon....it doesn't surprise me at all.

My ex partner home schooled her kids for a while, if you can call it that...and was teaching them 'Christian based' Home schooling, which included Creationism...

It was a barbaric, backward time for us heathens from the big city.

Lord Jesus. If people like this are allowed to post on gfy - I am seriously considering leaving.

From The Skepdic's Dictionary... He has assembled an awesome collections of reports on various topics, including some in this thread:

Creation

Creationism is a religious metaphysical theory which claims that a supernatural being created the universe. Creation Science is a pseudoscientific theory which claims that (a) the stories in Genesis are accurate accounts of the origin of the universe and life on Earth, and (b) Genesis is incompatible with the Big Bang theory and the theory of evolution. ?Creation Science? is an oxymoron since science is concerned only with naturalistic explanations of empirical phenomena and does not concern itself with supernatural explanations of metaphysical phenomena.

http://www.skepdic.com/creation.html

Gods

Gods are beings created by humans and given supernatural powers or attributes such as immortality, omniscience, telekinesis, and invisibility. These creations serve many purposes, such as imaginary protection from enemies or explanations for the origin of such things as good and evil, fire and wind, or life and death.

http://www.skepdic.com/gods.html

Atheism

How widespread is atheism? A worldwide survey in 2000 by the Gallup polling agency found that 8% do not think there is any spirit, personal God, or life force. Another 17% are not sure. However, more than half the world?s population, and more than 90% of the world?s scientists, do not believe in a personal God, and hence would be considered atheists by many Christians.

http://www.skepdic.com/atheism.html

One of the articles they link to at the bottom.. (notice Professor Robert T. Carroll cites his sources!)

15 Answers to Creationist Nonsense
Opponents of evolution want to make a place for creationism by tearing down real science, but their arguments don't hold up

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?art...88EEDF&catID=2

Take a look at some of his other papers to see if Dr. Carroll is just a Religion basher or treats every topic with the same fairness, yet skepticism.

http://www.skepdic.com/contents.html