In the midst of a global war on terror, it's good to see the President coming out for some of the battles on the home front.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush reignited debate over evolution by advocating teaching concept of intelligent design in schools. That view promotes the idea that an unseen force is behind the development of humanity. Scientists claim intelligent design has no supporting evidence and is an attempt to introduce religion to students.Bush, in remarks to a group of Texas newspaper reporters, said he favored balancing intelligent design with evolution, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.
"Both sides ought to be properly taught ... so people can understand what the debate is about," he said. "You're asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, and the answer is 'yes.'"
Click here for the entire story
Of course, staunch supporters of the faith of evolution (and yes, it is little more than a faith) are up in arms about this. They toss about the "separation of church and state" as though they actually believe it is in the U.S. Constitution. They cry "foul!" as they accuse the President of attempting to persuade people to his personal faith.
Of course, it's all hysterical nonsense, and one would think the enlightened evolutionists would know better.
Here are the facts.
1) Evolution is a theory. And it is BAD theory. Proponents are continually coming up with new arcs to the evolution story, which are subsequently disproved by other scientists.
2) Intelligent Design is a theory. And it is one that is gaining ground among thinking people daily.
Regardless of whether you believe that you descended from a single-celled organism and your life has no real significance or you believe that you were created by a Creator with dignity and for a special purpose, there is no excuse to NOT teach both theories to children in our schools.
Kudos to the President for bringing awareness to a very important issue. To the evolutionists, I issue this challenge. If you are so sure your theory is fact, you have nothing to fear in allowing people to be exposed to alternate theories. Relax. Let education take its course.
In a related story that proves my point...
MARIETTA, Ga., May 24 (UPI) -- Workers in Cobb County, Ga., have begun removing stickers that describe evolution as "a theory, not a fact" from school text books.A federal judge ruled in January the stickers were an unconstitutional endorsement of religion and ordered their removal. The Cobb County school system has appealed the ruling, but in the meantime it is abiding by the order to proceed with the removal, which began when the school year ended Friday, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Wednesday.
The issue began when a creationist collected 2,300 signatures in 2002 to protest evolution being taught by science books used in Cobb schools. The Cobb school board then ordered the stickers to be placed in 34,452 texts used in middle and high school classes.
The stickers read: "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."
Here's the fact. Evolution is NOT fact. In order to be factual, it would have to be observable and repeatable. No one has seen it. It ain't factual. It is theory.
The fact that evolutionists don't want to encourage young people to study critically and with an open mind says all you need to know about their faith.
It's a world upside down. Best to keep your head on straight. :-)
On a slight tangent, how do I spend my webcash from Greenzap?
here is another FACT, creationism cannot be reproduced. There has been evidence of evolution. Preacher boys like you are the reason our society never advances.
Actually, I believe it is narrow-minded bigoted people who have never even looked at the volumes of evidence supporting creationism that keep civilization from being all it can be. There is plenty of information out there for those who really want to understand. You can certainly do your own research (though people with closed minds rarely care to). Here is one starting place... http://www.drdino.com/searchArticles.php?cat=14
Joel
Haven't posted for awhile, but I just had a quick thought here....
I personally do not have a problem with children being exposed to both theories of Creation and evolution. After all, every culture around the world has had some way of trying to explain why we are here on this earth, and I see no reason for people not to be educated and culturally aware about any ways that humans have tried to define our existence throughout time.
However, I have to ask why it is that many people of the Christian faith are so angry that Creationism is not taught in public schools. After all, those are things that are taught in Church, Church schools, and tons of other religious institutions. Anyone in the country has free access to any of this information at any time. All they have to do is go to church. Why is it so all important to teach it in public school classrooms? Christians would NEVER, ever, ever, ever allow Evolution to be taught in a Church or religious school, would they? Why are they pushing so hard for kids to be taught this in public schools. Why no let education be education, and allow church to be church. If people want to learn about theories of Creationism, then GO TO CHURCH, NOT SCHOOL! It is JUST as accessible to ANYONE as public schools. People just want a fair and balanced representation of America in education, instead of a monopoly on thought of one group's values imposed over others...
Hi Robert,
Nice to see you!
To answer your question, Creationism and Evolution are the two theories espoused when discussing where man comes from. While Creationism has its roots in God, it is backed by volumes of scientific evidence. Science should not care whether God enters the equation or not. It should be merely concerned with examining the evidence. To leave Creationism out of our student's curriculum is to do them a great disservice.
Furthermore, since Evolution is no more than a theory, and is scientifically unprovable, it takes a huge leap of faith to place your belief in it. This makes Evolution a religion as well, man-made though it be.
So what his essentially happened is that the evolutionists have made the public school system their own church.
Now, what's wrong with this picture? ;-)
Joel
The only thing wrong with "this picture" is if people ABSOLUTELY refuse to admit that there are other points of view that exist than evolution. if public schools are the churches, what is so wrong with that, as long as teachers also guide children to other sources of information if they are interested. I don't really think there should be a class on Creationism and God 101, but I do think kids should have World Religion classes, as they do in college, where MANY different theories are discussed. After all there are MILLIONS of Christan churches that would NEVER allow even a thought of evolution behind their walls, or would persuade children to believe otherwise if they asked clergy about evolution. Why is it so wrong if schools do it if churches have been doing it for hundreds of years? They are both centers of learning. Why not leave things the way they are now, but have teachers be more willing to show children how to access information about Creationism if they are interested. In America, NO SINGLE group should ever have absolute say on education, whether they are Christian or athiest. If we lose that diversity of opinion, of religion, and of free thought, we have lost freedom entirely and gave ourselves to tyranny...
Robert,
Once again you miss the point. Churches are PRIVATE institutions funded by individuals who support them. Public schools are PUBLIC institutions and funded by the taxpayers. Without getting into the wisdom of the Founding Fathers (who would roll over in their graves at your assertions), public schools should teach ALL theories of creation, whether religious in nature or not. That's why many parents are upset with the public schools. They are not teaching ALL views. Many are just teaching the myth of evolution.
Joel
Joel, you might have missed the fact that I actually agree with you on this one. I do think schools should examine ALL theories to provide a well-rounded education for children. I am just simply saying that a focus on evolution should not be condemned, because it is one theory that cildren do not usually get information about from other sources of learning, such as churches. If churches were fair and balanced places of education, they would ALSO mention the possibility of other avenues of thought, but put emphasis on their own teachings. I think that a well-rounded education gives kids the chance to use their "God-given" intelligence to make up THEIR OWN minds, instead of just swallowing whatever is fed to them by others. So, yes, ALL theories should be at least touched uopn in the realm of education. That includes home schooling, which is another issue entirely. Truly great parents and teachers who home school would ALSO touch upon ALL avenues. But, alas, many parents who home school ONLY preach their own values and judgements (many of them Christian)because they are afraid that their children might come into contact with some "dirty" and "unGodly" thought in the public school system. George Orwell's thought police, here we come. Unfortunately, many of these parents do not realize that by sheltering them entirely from any "bad" things (like evolution)that they may come into contact with in public schools, they are actually CRIPPLING their children to deal with the REAL world, where not everyone is the same. Are there benefits to home schooling? Absolutely. But only if it is done the right way, where children learn to think for themselves. Anyway, adeiu for now....and here's to hoping that education will improve greatly for ALL children in America, regardless of their faith....
I think it's unfair to accuse people of being narrow-minded and bigoted when you yourself have a single minded view about creationism. You say public schools should be more "diverse" in teaching about biology when you really wish that they'd teach creationism exclusively. I mean why should public schools teach anything but creationism if you belittle evolution so much, unless you believe there's a remote possibility that evolution does have an upside?
My belief is that religion is an afterthought, an interpretation of scientific observations, but not a part of it. People sitting around saying "God maketh it" is not going to solve global warming or the string theory ok?
Oh, just thought of one quick and last comment here. Joel, I could not help but notice that you used the word "myth" to describe evolution. I wonder if you might be offended if someone called Christianity a "myth". If that is so, is it not unfair to call other's belief systems a "myth" and promote ONLY your view? The fact is that ALL cultures have had "myths" for explaining our existence - from Roman myths to Greek myths to Native American myths to Wiccan myths to Egyptian myths to Sumerian myths (which are actually some of the basis for the Christian mythology). There are very diverse views, all of which have at least SOME factual evidence to support their teachings in the world. Maybe people really do not know what the truth is. Why is it so erroneous to say that "we do not know." I think it is actually rather humbling to show that the human race is not so great as it may think itself.
My question to you is this, if your children choose to think otherwise and research other things than Christianity, would you encourage their education to other forms of thought and let them make decisions ON THEIR OWN? I hope so. What if one of you children becomes a (oh, no, not a "liberal"!) or a Buddhist? Or a witch (Wiccan)? Would you be okay with that and let your children be who THEY are and not who you want them to be?
Farewell and free will....
Robert,
People call Christianity a "myth" all the time. I don't take it personally. It's not about me.
My children can and will make their own choices. No one can be "forced" to a belief. In "The Matrix Reloaded", Commander Lock thinks the way to defend Zion is through military might and doesn't believe the Neo is "The One".
Commander Lock: Dammit, Morpheus. Not everyone believes what you believe.
Morpheus: My beliefs do not require them to.
My beliefs do not require anyone else to believe them. They stand on their own.
Fortunately, I have raised my children with knowledge of the truth and both of them have already made their choice, on their own free will. Will they go astray later in life? It certainly does happen. But that is the beauty of free will.
As for whether or not I should promote other views, that to me is the utmost foolishness. How can I say I believe something and then espouse something that is contrary to what I believe? It would indicate that I really don't believe what I say I believe. That's ridiculous. Stand for something or fall for anything.
Joel
Steve,
I NEVER said public schools should teach creationism exclusively!
My mind is not narrow. It is decided. I have already explored the evolution route and came up empty handed. There is no need for me to revisit this.
Robert... we do homeschool. And we do teach our children about other belief systems. Like a bank teller, they are taught what is real, so that when they encounter a counterfeit, they can spot it a mile away. Learning about other cultures and religions is an integral part of any good education.
Incidently, homeschoolers test better as a whole than those educated publicly. That is irrespective of the religion or faith that is taught at home and includes atheist homeschoolers.
Joel
"Learning about other cultures and religions is an integral part of any good education."
Well I do agree with that. Culturally speaking, learning about how women live in middle eastern countries is a valuable lesson on how women should never ever be treated. History teaches us to avoid past mistakes.
Therefore, in the same light, I think Intelligent Design should be taught in Biology as an example of something so thouroughly trounced by the scientific method that it belongs only in religious studies. It shall be a good lesson.
Steve,
Your premises are correct, but unfortunately you come to erroneous conclusions based on your preconceived notions and an obvious lack of information in this arena. It would appear to me that you are not a student of the scientific method that you so freely preach.
Nonbiased study would allow you to recognize the amazing scientific consistencies found within current theory and the text of the Scriptures. If you wish to investigate the matter further, I'd be happy to point you to some resources I believe you would find rather fascinating.
Joel
Having taken plenty of engineering, physics, programming, and upper division math classes (ok, 1 linear algebra course and that was enough for me), I think I'm a little more familiar with science than the average bloke.
You might come from a similar background? So for the sake of logic, what follows ID is, how do you really prove the existence of God/multiple Gods? Bigfoot's footprint is a step in the right direction but by no means is it definitive and final.
So what is the next step? Refer to the bible? "God just is"? Don't even question the almighty? That's a lousy scientific attitude.
The world is so complicated that that oh I give up! only a supernatural force could have been involved? Wow, EOP.
All I read about are the odds of dna being created from a lifeless swamp, similar to odds of winning the lottery. But someone does win eventually.
But yeah, if you have a good ID link, post it.
Steve,
Even though I have had a computer since the TRS-80, I dropped programming after two weeks. Decided that would NEVER be for me. But I love working them. As for math, I took Calculus... can't say I enjoyed it though! Academic education may indicate intelligence, but I've known plenty of extremely bright people with the wisdom of a house fly. I'd prefer wisdom over knowledge any day of the week. Or maybe that's just my way of making myself feel better because I'm not smart enough to be an engineer. ;-)
Without indicating a source at the moment (its late and I need to go to sleep...), consider the human eye. It's a marvel of creation because it never could have existed through the process of evolution. It is so incredibly complex that were they any diversion in the form, the function would cease. Since everything came from a single cell organism, there would be no logical way that the human eye could have ever developed according the evolutionary theory.
As for referring to the Bible.. that can only take place if one puts the Bible itself to the test. It must pass historical muster before one can refer to it as a reliable source. Josh McDowell has two volumes, that while not the most scholarly or perfect, do provoke some very interesting perspectives on the validity of those 66 books. The two volumes are called "Evidence that Demands a Verdict"
As for proving the existence of God, I find the statement itself to be mundane. Once upon a time I didn't see Him. Then one day I did. Yes, it is mystical and supernatural. If God is supernatural, could an encounter with Him be anything less?
Anyhow.. falling over on my keyboard and will continue this in the light of day...
Joel
You frighten me, Joel. I ask you please to step back from your convictions, weigh what you currently view as "absurd" as rational, and then approach every single issue on which you presently have an opinion all over again and with an open, questioning, patient mind. When people think, the left-wing wins.
I'm done with your site, I hope you smarten up.
Take care.
Hidalgo, I'm sorry you frighten so easily. Perhaps you have a reason to fear, but it certainly isn't because of me or what I believe. I hardly pose any threat to you. Anyhow, I've already been on the left-wing side of the fence. I have seen the error of my ways and have no intention of going back.
And not only does the left-wing lose on the issues. They lose elections. :-)