Friday, March 18, 2016

State board of education in Alabama votes to keep Evolution disclaimer in biology books. You know, because religion.

Courtesy of WKRG:

Last week, state board of education voted to keep the disclaimer in textbooks. 

It has only been a year since Alabama was mandated to teach evolution at all; there had been a prior requirement that included theory and diversity, but the 2015 change solidified the requirement in the list of standards, which states classes must “analyze scientific evidence (e.g., DNA, fossil records, cladograms, biogeography) to support hypotheses of common ancestry and biological evolution.” 

Minimum state standards are are set but local school districts can make their own decisions.

Here is what the disclaimer says in full:

BIOLOGY TEXTBOOK INSERT A MESSAGE FROM THE ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION 

The word “theory” has many meanings. Theories are defined as systematically organized knowledge, abstract reasoning, a speculative idea or plan, or a systematic statement of principles. Scientific theories are based on both observations of the natural world and assumptions about the natural world. They are always subject to change in view of new and confirmed observations. 

 Many scientific theories have been developed over time. The value of scientific work is not only the development of theories but also what is learned from the development process. The Alabama Course of Study: Science includes many theories and studies of scientists’ work. The work of Copernicus, Newton, and Einstein, to name a few, has provided a basis of our knowledge of the world today. 

The theory of evolution by natural selection is a controversial theory that is included in this textbook. It is controversial because it states that natural selection provides the basis for the modern scientific explanation for the diversity of living things. Since natural selection has been observed to play a role in influencing small changes in a population, it is assumed that it produces large changes, even though this has not been directly observed. Because of its importance and implications, students should understand the nature of evolutionary theories. They should learn to make distinctions between the multiple meanings of evolution, to distinguish between observations and assumptions used to draw conclusions, and to wrestle with the unanswered questions and unresolved problems still faced by evolutionary theory. 

 There are many unanswered questions about the origin of life. With the explosion of new scientific knowledge in biochemical and molecular biology and exciting new fossil discoveries, Alabama students may be among those who use their understanding and skills to contribute to knowledge and to answer many unanswered questions. Instructional material associated with controversy should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered.

Gee if only they encouraged similar skepticism and critical thinking while reading the Bible, or attending church.

By the way there are many unanswered questions and controversies within virtually EVERY scientific discipline. The only reason that Evolution gets singled out all of the time is because it endangers people's ability to embrace the comforting mythologies of religion.

13 comments:

  1. We have the internet now, kids can get the actual facts on sex education and evolution without the regressive schools they go to.

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  2. Anonymous4:54 AM

    It keep it all fair and balancie they should also include a disclaimer about religions.

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  3. Randall5:15 AM

    Xtian sharia

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  4. religion - the no go zone around the world.

    Why homo sapiens is sooooo fucking stupid!

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  5. Anonymous7:03 AM

    I was forcibly raised in the church of christ, 22 years of it, and the only good thing that came out of that is that I can quote their stupid scriptures better than they can. That comes in handy when i need to shut a christian up, which is often around here.

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    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:12 AM

      I was raised in a Church of Christ too.a United Church of Christ. The one in my current city is one of the most open-minded, accepting congregations around. They have performed three same sex marriages recently, for MEMBERS. When I have played there, the sermons are always hopeful and uplifting, not belittling others or threatening hell. If I were looking for a church, I would choose them.

      Delete
  6. Hedgewytch7:54 AM

    As a scientist I can tell you that those last paragraphs have SO MUCH wrong with them! Its total facepalm!

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  7. Anonymous8:22 AM

    OT-http://www.politicususa.com/2016/03/18/pope-fires-vatican-ambassador-america-kim-davis-ambush.html

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous9:27 AM

    Atheist group plans ‘Genocide and Incest Park’ billboard campaign to troll creationist ‘Ark’

    http://www.rawstory.com/2016/03/atheist-group-plans-genocide-and-incest-park-billboard-campaign-to-troll-creationist-ark/

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    Replies
    1. Note that the Atheists are condemning genocide and incest without an ethical premise upon which to do so. They refers to genocide when it was not. They condemn incest as does the Bible, contextually. They erroneously imply that Genesis was written 2,000 years ago. And, statistically Atheists are not charitable but they love to spend thousands of dollars attempting to show how clever they think they are rather than actually helping people in real need (see my articles on Atheist Charity).

      Delete
  9. Anonymous9:30 AM

    Gee...

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  10. Or they could just let their silly sticker say 'God invented evolution' and let it go at that.

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  11. Anita Winecooler4:34 PM

    Do they have "Brain Free Zone" signs on the streets of Alabamastan? If not, this is proof they should.
    So God made Adam from dirt, and Eve from one of his ribs? Did they run out of dirt?

    ReplyDelete

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