Evolution vs Creation
Apparently the school board for a PA suburb added the following sticker to their biology textbooks after more than 2,000 parents complained that the books presented evolution as a fact without mentioning possible alternatives.
"This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered."
They were sued by another group of parents and lost. The judge provided a reasonable explanation for his decision, but everything the sticker says is TRUE! I think the whole evolution-creation battle is at times fought over ridiculous things. There is such a thing as a slippery slope, but there is also accomodation, compromise and understanding. I think this case is a clear example of the evolution camp going a bit too far to impose its dogma over everything else. The sticker is correct and in my opinion is should stand!
"This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered."
They were sued by another group of parents and lost. The judge provided a reasonable explanation for his decision, but everything the sticker says is TRUE! I think the whole evolution-creation battle is at times fought over ridiculous things. There is such a thing as a slippery slope, but there is also accomodation, compromise and understanding. I think this case is a clear example of the evolution camp going a bit too far to impose its dogma over everything else. The sticker is correct and in my opinion is should stand!
posted by z @ 8:53 PM
13 Comments:
At 9:10 PM,
Anonymous said…
You are most certainly correct!
But to make it fair, I would also make sure that the sticker covers the laws of thermodynamics, the theory of relativity, Physics in general, and, well, science.
Most things we "know" in science are THEORIES (in fact, everything in science is)
And all of them deserve open minds, careful and critical consideration.
no?
At 5:51 AM,
z said…
Sure. I would have no problem with such a sticker appearing on every book, but it might be a bit of an overkill. Biology is the most obvious candidate and could be a nice concilliatory gesture. Both sides of that argument are so vociferous about imposing their dogma on the other party that I think it could be a nice change to compromise.
At 8:55 AM,
Rama said…
It depends on if in Religion class at some of these parochial schools they are going to put a similar sticker on their books saying that evolution is potentially correct and they should view creationism with a critical and open mind. If you do it for one "theory" you have to do it for all. And I doubt they'd put the sticker on creationism, so really it's not fair.
At 10:14 AM,
Sarah said…
Ok I kind of liked this, only because it opens some eyes up to whatever they teach you in school is absolute fact and hopefully this is bring up conversations about science and ideas....But at the same time, it's ridiculous.
At 10:15 AM,
Sarah said…
I meant not absolute fact...
At 11:59 PM,
z said…
sam - not everyone has to go to a religious class, but everyone (excluding private schools and home schooling) studies in public schools. plus, religion is not about keeping an open mind so it would be asking a lot! ;)
i do agree with you though... i just think that instead of constantly focusing on divisions it would be nice to try to make inroads towards peace and compromise. and that means giving a little even when you don't have to.
At 12:01 AM,
z said…
bear - that is certainly another reason i think the sticker should remain. i think schools could certainly do a little more to open kids up to critical thinking and analysis.
At 9:10 AM,
Rama said…
Yeah.. I know not everyone has to take religion class. But I still think that if you require a sticker for one theory, you need to do it for all. I think that with the loss of real common sense in the world, some people will believe that the ones without stickers are fact, and the ones with stickers fiction.
At 12:52 PM,
nell said…
...and we have folks bemoaning the inevitable decrease of the human population. I tend to think this is a good thing.
At 9:10 AM,
Anonymous said…
http://www.cnn.com/2005/EDUCATION/02/12/bible.class.ap/index.html
^^^ bible classes in public schools. Little kids aren't debaters yet.
liz
At 8:04 PM,
z said…
liz - great link. My favorite quote:
""I asked them whether Jesus was a Christian and they said 'yes.' When I said, 'Jesus was a Jew,' one girl said, 'But Jesus was a good person,"' Ridell said."
It's sad and funny at the same time. That is going a bit far - religion should not be taught in public elementary schools.
At 8:08 PM,
z said…
nellie - yes, i've read a number of articles suggesting that a growing population is a necessity for national prosperity (large labor force to prop the economy). i find it quite fascinating how this balances: a nation becomes prosperous and the birth rate declines. assuming some of that prosperity is then lost perhaps it is a fair assumption that the pendulum will swing the other way. and round and round we go!
At 5:51 PM,
Anonymous said…
did god really make the world?
did it really take 6 days? how is that this could not be proven?? how is it that only evolution theories have more facts then what people say about god? what good is the sticker if you cant prove that creation science is even a science based on god??
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