Well, the Sooner state is at it again. The latest in their continuing series of “academic freedom” bills is HB 1674, brought to you by Gus Blackwell, a GOP state representative who spent 20 years working for the Baptist General Convention of Oklahoma. But his bill is not about religion, how could you even think that? No, according to Blackwell, it’s all about scientific exploration.
“I proposed this bill because there are teachers and students who may be afraid of going against what they see in their textbooks. A student has the freedom to write a paper that points out that highly complex life may not be explained by chance mutations.”
To translate from the GOP-ese, the bill allows students to make faith-based claims in their science homework and tests without being graded appropriately. It would forbid teachers from giving a student an “F” on such papers. In plain-speak, it dictates to science teachers what they can accept as legitimate learning in their classroom.
Here is what the bill actually says:
The measure requires the State Board of Education, district boards of education and administrators to endeavor to create an environment that encourages students to explore scientific questions and respond appropriately to differences of opinion about controversial issues. Educational authorities will endeavor to assist teachers to find more effective ways to present the science curriculum where it addresses scientific controversies and teachers will be permitted to help students analyze the scientific strengths and weaknesses of existing scientific theories. No student will be penalized because the student subscribes to a particular position on scientific theories.
Okay so essentially if you did not do the reading you can simply answer "God made it" and expect to receive full credit. Way to take all of the science out of a science class, idiots!
Gee I wonder if this will soon apply to math as well?
Teacher: "If f(x) = │(x² – 50)│, what is the value of f(-5) ?"
Student: "I believe the answer is 6, and I don't want you to shake my fundamental faith by suggesting it is otherwise."
Good luck in life kid!
You know I wonder what will happen to students from this school district when they apply to college, or try to get a job where having your own set of facts is not exactly a welcome concept?
I swear these people are dedicated to turning this country into a factory for manufactures drooling, illiterate Republican voting dipshits.
I'm with you, Gryphen. Enough is enough. When are the SCIENTISTS and doctors going to slam jackasses like this guy - as a group?
ReplyDeleteANYTHING which postulates a "superior being" or Intelligence or deity or whatever you want to call it, is RELIGIOUS and does NOT belong in public schools!!!!!!
Teach that garbage to your kids AT HOME and stop trying to waste the other student's time with your religion!
Good luck passing the SAT, ACT, etc for entry into a university or college, OK students.
ReplyDeleteYou need a college degree to work at MacDonalds? Who woulda thought.
DeletePut him in the car, drive him around, show him:
ReplyDeletesee that building there? That's a 'school'.
That's where we teach what can be proven using the 'scientific method'.
(driving further)
See that building there? That's a 'church'.
That's where you teach stuff that you can't prove - but like to believe cause you really really feel like it's true.
(driving further)
Ok, see that building? That's a 'mosque' - those folks believe stuff, too - stuff that's different from what you believe. And they really really believe it, too! We don't allow teaching their 'stuff' in school either. See how that works?
See the different buildings? Church, mosque, synagogue, temple... SCHOOL!
If he still doesn't get it - he has to sit in the corner with the stupid kids - which he should enjoy because Sarah Palin's in that corner and she's real purty.
Drive stop number one: The idiot would complain, saying HE paid taxes, too!
DeleteDrive stop number two: He would praise that saying that's where our country was built!
Drive stop number three: His answer to that stop would be that they shouldn't be allowed here because they are so stupidly WRONG!
And sitting in the corner certainly wouldn't bother him because "The Lord is with me!"
Hey! How about this? Since they seem to think THEY can pass laws that keep any new federal laws from being enforced, maybe we can pass laws to prevent THEM from happening?
Worth a try.
Your last statement to him? About how things should work? Oh come now. If he can blithely disagree with PROVEN FACTS, what makes you think he could have his mind changed by your little trip and some logic?
Sorry, Randall.
If i were the teacher, I would fail the kid then go to court. That's why we call them F'n Christians, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI see what you did there!
Delete+1
We'll blunder on despite these jerks,but the national security is being put at risk.......
ReplyDeleteThe Scholastics (Aquinas) tried this shit in the 13t century - reason in the service of faith. Didn't work then,doesn't work now. Did it mean one HAD to give up belief in supernatural explanations? No, but it did mean they had to admit to no reason for believing so, to admit that it was just a preference for a certain story (myth) over others. And along came Kierkegaard, who rightly pointed out, that once one has knowledge, belief (faith) is impossible. Think about that one for a minute or two.
ReplyDeleteThese creationist fucktards are really to realize it, but they are shooting themselves in the foot if they succeed.
And BTW, if I were a secularist kid in this school, I would very quickly begin writing papers about Turtle, and Ananszi and the Titans for my science papers. Then ask why I got an "F" but the kid who wrote "God did it" got an "A." All the evidence needed to gut this as quickly and finally as Dover.
That picture is actually kinda cute, if you don't make yourself take it seriously.
ReplyDeleteAlso, there are plenty of jobs for people who deny reality in America. We write laws so such people can force their denials of reality on others by refusing to counsel them, refusing to dispense their doctor prescribed medication, just plain letting them die if you can claim your church says they should, etc. And if none of those work for you, you can always just become a Republican politician!
I thought the same about the picturel, but I doubt "Behold, the T Rex of god" would go over well with the creationists.
DeleteI live in Oklahoma - was born here and spent the majority of my life here. It is a good place to live. Neighbors help neighors. In the event of tornados, ice storms, floods, prarie fires, whatever everyone helps everyone. And yes, it is the buckle of the Bible Belt. However the intelectual level when it comes to politices or acceptance of those who may not look or act just "like us" is beyond me. Our dear govenor, Mary Fallin, is about one rung above your loveable Sarah. I think they would be bestest buddies until one of them betrayed the other. And trust me, that would happen. Maybe both states would get lucky and they would each expose each other and their dirty deeds.
ReplyDeleteAnd OUR tax dollars pay for this shit. Hell, some of Jindal's christian schools here were teaching that the "Loch Ness" monster proves that evolution is a lie. I wish I was kidding.
ReplyDeleteI once overheard this pious old christian lady yakking at brunch after church about how the Earth was only 600yrs old & shit and I had to say something...especially when I saw all the diamonds on her fingers. I complimented her on her jewelry and then asked if she had any idea how long it takes a lump of coal to turn into a diamond...she gave me a snotty answer which pissed me off, so I told her she was right. Shoving a lump of coal up her ass might be faster.
I was asked to leave the restaurant..turns out you shouldn't insult the owner's mother...
Deletehahahaha
I read that as "own's mother."
My mother told me when I was a kid and got hurt, it was because I must have done something wrong and God was punishing me.
How fucked up is that?
I was very accident prone and this really messed me up for a time.
She's 85 years old and I love her dearly, but she's totally fucking nuts when it comes to religion.
Now we know how Sen. Imhofe (? spelling; I try to ignore his existence) got his education.
ReplyDeleteBeaglemom
What's wrong with cultivating independent thought in the youth? Plenty of other subjects are subjective, reading and music being at the forefront. Students are asked to interpret info, and then DEFEND their argument. This bill in no way infers that students can simply put "God did it" on all of their science related homework at get a free bathroom pass. This simply allows students the opportunity to research and defend other theories on the formation of the world. When teaching a topic like evolution vs. creation, where believing in either side of the argument requires the same amount of faith, the least we can do as adult citizens is allow them to exercise independent thought. That is, after all, the PURPOSE of school. Whether creationist or evolutionist, the last thing we need is bumper-sticker repeating robots. We need rational human beings capable of making a positive change.
ReplyDelete"Rational human beings?"
DeleteThere is nothing rational about Creationism. It makes several gigantic leaps in logic, without a scintilla of evidence to back them up and then demands to be taught alongside a carefully structured, peer reviewed body of work.
Anybody who cannot see the inherent problem there has no right to call themselves "rational."
"Gigantic leaps in logic"? If Creationism has taken gigantic leaps in logic, evolutionism has taken a plane flight. Ever since the theory's popularization in 1859, there has been no scientific, provable evidence that has emerged to support this theory. The theory combines both the topics of macroevolution and abiogenesis, BOTH of which have no capable empirical or objective method of being tested. Science is built upon the scientific method, which is the act of testing hypothesis in a testable, empirical manner. Drifting outside the use of this system, which evolution obviously has, enters the realm of philosophy and theology (which are both taught in school...) and should be a topic for one of these classes.
Delete"Rational" people don't simply accept what they have been told to believe by people with a doctorate or ministerial accreditation. A good man seeks ultimate truth through personal study and swims against negative currents.
PBS Documentary Looks at Right-Wing Promotion of Ignorance Through Textbooks
ReplyDeleteThe Revisionaries
http://video.pbs.org/video/2325563509
I wonder how many teachers we will lose? We aren't all backwards in Oklahoma and many teachers are upset about this.
ReplyDelete