‘Creation science’ enters the race
3 September 2008 by Stardust
Republican Sarah Palin says she thinks creationism should be taught alongside evolution in the state’s public classrooms — that she would not have a problem with that. She is the only candidate who has come out and said this. According to the Anchorage Daily News, back in 2006 Palin was answering a question from the moderator near the conclusion of a televised debate on KAKM Channel 7 when she said, “Teach both. You know, don’t be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important, and it’s so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both.”
While Palin says that she has never pushed the creationism being taught in schools, here is this little bit of information:
The Republican Party of Alaska platform says, in its section on education: “We support giving Creation Science equal representation with other theories of the origin of life. If evolution is taught, it should be presented as only a theory.”
And this idea is spreading, causing watchdog groups to be on alert:
The issue of teaching an alternative to evolution has turned into an issue in the current race for governor in Michigan, where Republican Dick DeVos said he wanted to see students exposed to the idea of intelligent design.
Isn’t that what churches, mosques, synagogues and other mythology temples are for?
In 1993 in Alaska, several Board of Education appointees of Gov. Wally Hickel considered adding creation science to the board’s list of recommended scientific concepts. The idea was proposed by a member of the school board who taught at a private Christian school in Fairbanks. It failed on a 3-3 tie, with one school board member absent.
In 2003 a curriculum reform panel recommended leaving evolution out of the state requirements to avoid controversy. Their recommendation was accepted by the state Department of Education, but the state board — which had the final say — reinserted the term.
Current state regulations allow local districts to add their own curriculum beyond the minimum state requirements, said Department of Education spokesman Eric Fry. That would arguably include some form of creation science, he said.
“They couldn’t promote religion, but it’s OK to teach about religion,” Fry said.
Palin’s full quote on the matter is:
“Teach both. You know, don’t be afraid of information. “Healthy debate is so important and it’s so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both. And you know, I say this too as the daughter of a science teacher. Growing up with being so privileged and blessed to be given a lot of information on, on both sides of the subject — creationism and evolution. It’s been a healthy foundation for me. But don’t be afraid of information and let kids debate both sides.”
Opponents say rightfully that religion has no place being taught in a science classroom.
3 September 2008, on 10:41 pm
So… same shit different day?
3 September 2008, on 11:45 pm
In my opinion, those who argue FOR teaching ID alongside Science…invariably exhibit an almost total LACK of any true, discernible, intelligence. And just looking casually at the world, or the Universe, for that matter…given the total bonkerdom of natural phenomena…where’s the evidence for any so-called higher ID?
Like…every time I look at the state of my…ummm…teeth(?)…in the mirror; I’m brutally reminded of that obvious (from birth) conundrum!
Palin, like many of her fellow Repiglicans, is obviously not too “gifted” with any really viable intelligence. Or…
What!…Gnome breakdown?…Bad Genes?…Too many offspring?…Fundie religious virus infection?…or…is she the setup for a Mel Brooks movie documentary (and Broadway Musical?) about ID:
“Its a Bad, Bad, Bad, Bad God!”…?
3 September 2008, on 11:52 pm
OK, let’s teach creationism/ID in the science classrooms (as “only a theory”, of course) when minsters, priests, rabbis, etc., give equal time at their pulpits for scientists and atheists to offer rebuttals to their sermons and readings from their holy books.
OK, OK, stop laughing! I wasn’t serious, I was only trying to point out the gall and the hypocrisy of these people, as if anyone needed reminded.
4 September 2008, on 12:07 am
Palin believes she knows what God wants.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080903/ap_on_el_pr/cvn_palin_iraq_war
Apparently, she hears voices in her head that she attributes to God. GWB hears God talking to him inside of his head, and look where it has gotten us.
I would like to ask both of them, how do you know that voice you hear inside of your head is the voice of God?
GWB thinks God told him to invade Iraq, with a resultant 4000 of America’s finest dead, hundreds of thousands of natives dead, and a war bill of approximately 3 trillion dollars. With no positive results. Does that sound like the will of God or does it sound like the will of Satan?
What arrogance to think that you can tell the difference between God’s voice and Satan imitating God.
We have places in this country for people who hear voices inside of their heads, and it isn’t the White House.
I want a President who loves America more than he/she loves Jesus.
4 September 2008, on 12:10 am
My new Palin joke.
Why did Palin have the baby even though she knew it would be born with Down Syndrome?
She wanted to guarantee at least one of her kids would grow up to be a Creationist.
4 September 2008, on 12:28 am
To bust some MC Hawking flava’ , “Fuck, fuck, FUCK ‘da Creationists!!”
4 September 2008, on 12:37 am
“The Republican Party of Alaska platform says, in its section on education: “We support giving Creation Science equal representation with other theories of the origin of life. If evolution is taught, it should be presented as only a theory.””
Evolution has nothing to say about the origen of life. And saying it is “only” a theory is like saying a traumatic amputation is only a wound. These people can’t help but bleed ignorance. And they want fill our children’s minds with this drivel.
“Teach both. You know, don’t be afraid of information. “
It’s not information I’m afraid of–it’s misinformation I take issue with. Sometimes there’s only one side to every story.
These sheeple are just aweful.
4 September 2008, on 1:13 am
Fritzy
I’m with you on that. It is misinformation.
Creation science is not science. Where is their Proof? It is opinion not theory. And feeble opinion to boot. Not one shred of evidence in support of creationism.
Once again the overlords of ignorance have chosen their representatives. I’ll’ bet Vladimir Putin is having a great laugh over this. While rebuilding the Russian EMPIRE. He proved how ineffective the U.S. is when confronted by a real military presense.
4 September 2008, on 8:19 am
From the article linked to by hogarm above:“In an address last June, the Republican vice presidential candidate also urged ministry students to pray for a plan to build a $30 billion natural gas pipeline in the state, calling it “God’s will.”
Interesting how “God’s will” always coincides with what that person who is saying it wants. They never hear the voices in their heads saying “don’t do that, too many innocent lives will be lost” or “don’t mess up the nature I made”. Nope…they use the voices in their heads as justification to the superstitious who will believe it to rape the land, invade countries and all sorts of “crimes” against humanity.
4 September 2008, on 10:07 am
Ok, I’ve seriously freaking had it with this BS!!!
I was at the local wackadoo Horizon Church small group a few years ago, and we had a discussion about what Gawd wanted, and Stardust, you’re right, “Gawds will” always coincides with what the person saying it wants! We went around the room, “Gawd wants us to stand up for religion and creationism” and “Gawd wants us to love people around us.” etc. and when I pointed out this “coincidence” they all looked at me like I was crazy. No one else said a word, I could tell some folks wanted to agree, but were afraid to speak up.
If you have no friends but Xians, you’re not going to disagree or appear to be a non-believer, because non-believers are you know evil and all that stuff, and eventually get shunned.
I don’t even screw with these retards, I haven’t been to that church in years and those bastards are still sending me e-mails and inviting me to stuff.
4 September 2008, on 10:14 am
I’m imagining a GiFs US tour, where all of us go on a tour of US churches across the country and just piss people off… though I’ve never seen what any of you look like, I’m sure it will be one motley crue.
Hilarious!
4 September 2008, on 10:30 am
I’m imagining a GiFs US tour, where all of us go on a tour of US churches across the country and just piss people off…
My husband would love it! He would be the first one to sign up. He is always threatening to go to Mondo’s church that I have written about and other area churches and throw out questions and comments during the sermon till he gets thrown out. The only reason he hasn’t done it yet is because I tell him to leave the people be in their mythology temples. I wonder though sometimes if I should just turn him loose.
4 September 2008, on 11:17 am
Ramen
4 September 2008, on 12:32 pm
Whenever our children are taught about the Apollo missions to the moon, equal time should be given to the view that the moon landings were a hoax.
TEACH THE CONTROVERSY!
4 September 2008, on 12:55 pm
Yes, teach the controversy, and teach all the creation versions from all the mythologies. The kids had better plan on staying in school all summer, to learn all that. This is going to cost more, too… that’s it! Palin is for raising taxes! Tell everyone!!
4 September 2008, on 1:25 pm
And while we’re at it, let’s be sure to teach that Bristol has to marry what’s-his-name because some stork is going to pluck a baby from the cabbage patch and drop it outside her door in 4 months or so–not because her belly is getting all big and swollen.
Atheist Jew-That joke was kinda harsh, but I am so stealing it!
4 September 2008, on 2:08 pm
Orzo, that is a REALLY good point, and I think more people should bring that up. It just goes to show the horrible imbalance in this country…all these fucking lunatics want creatonism..er, I mean creationism… taught as a viable alternative to science. But the problem is they only teach one brand of nutjobbery. There are so many fruity, bizzare, and downright ridiculous creation myths that the idea of playing favorites with the xian brand of stupidity should be enough to keep it out of the classroom.
What they are doing is the clearest, most obvious example of trumping the constitution by favoring one religion over others…why can’t anyone else see that?!?
That fake slut keeps saying “don’t be afraid of information” but I say if they want to teach religion and pass it off as science, they need to teach ALL the crazy myths, not just the xian version. That would hopefully put all this bulshit into perspective!
4 September 2008, on 2:28 pm
And why can’t they see that if they welcome their own religion into the governing of this country, nothing keeps out any other religion in the future… do I have to give it a name?
Benjamin thank you for calling her a fake slut (she may even be a real slut, but I’m not getting close enough to find out). That made my day. I have a hate on for this person and it’s only September.
4 September 2008, on 3:40 pm
The fickle media is making me sick
Palin wows GOP, puts Dems on notice
What a bunch of bullcrap
4 September 2008, on 3:47 pm
Good article by Rob Boston
Are You ‘Right With God’?: Alaska Official’s Religious Rhetoric Leaves Me Cold
To which Boston responds:
4 September 2008, on 3:59 pm
Did she really say “…people of Alaska’s heart isn’t…”? Not only is she a mean little hypocrite, she’s a dummy.
4 September 2008, on 5:25 pm
Im trying to imagine my high school biology teacher “teaching” creationism… No way in hell! not in ths town! I think that teaching neither would be better than teaching “both”. I Like how they say “both” as if their’s is the only creation myth in history. Please! dont let these worshippers get to the math and physics department!
4 September 2008, on 7:03 pm
Anyone who thinks that superstitious nonsense has anything in common with factual information is in need of some further education of their own.
Facts and knowledge to a creationist are as sunlight to a vampire.
Prolonged exposure will certainly turn their god and their religion to dust.
4 September 2008, on 9:39 pm
These fundifuckheads have been itching for a war with the powers of darkness. They might rue what they wish for. I think a lot of people will not really be interested in taking orders from somebody else’s ministers.
Sometimes I’m glad I won’t be around in 2050 (well if I am I’ll probably be drooling and shitting my pants, which means I’ll have to register as a republican.
4 September 2008, on 10:39 pm
Pardon a (pre-colonoscopy-like) mini-rant, Stardust; partly ‘inspired’, I must say, by that Rob Boston link…
After witnessing, all this week, the worst display of Right Wing Fundamentalist asskissing ever foisted on the American public, in MY memory of Presidential Politics; I’d say that anyone who votes Repiglican in this election is tantamount to a traitor to the principles laid down by the Founding Fathers.
What’s at stake is nothing less than the, actual, existential survival of the original Constitutional principles; particularly the prime importance of Church/State Separation and the Rights to Privacy guaranteed therein.
Watching the overt orgasmic responses of Right Wingnuts like the all-time blow hard champ…Rush Limp-paw…publicly “air-wanking” over extreme “fundie-pussy” Palin’s speech; is a clear signal that the 30+ year old Dominionist-Fascist agenda of the totally delusional, Xtian schizophrenics is very close to potential completion!
[As some of you may know; I'm a 68 year old male, longtime Pro-Feminist, and that "fundie-pussy" derogatory Palin description doesn't really 'spew out' easily.]
This is definitely NOT the time for any of us freethinking secularists to “STFU”!
In fact, to NOT speak out, or vote Democratic in this particular election would be, in my opinion, tantamount to a definite handing over of our freedoms to an obvious Neo-Nazi-like Fascist enemy. It may be a bit of stretch; but the resemblance to certain elements of Nazi Germany, in many subtle aspects, is rather frightening. We’ve all been watching the obvious “Rovian” progression, in particular, since 9/11.
In other words, my fellow (American) atheists…THIS…extreme as it might sound, may be the most important election regarding our personal freedoms…in our entire lifetimes! We’re two months away, in essence, from a possible ‘political cataclysm’.
I, for one, will be watching closely to see whether the kiss-ass prone visual media wimps out or not in being earnestly objective about the so-called, relevant, “social values” bullshit that’s been mostly danced around…or almost ignored completely.
What we REALLY need, I think, beyond this particular election, is to cooperate in building a TRUE totally Independent, totally secular, grass roots…”Freethinkers’ Party” (or, whatever name)…which, over time, could become an actual viable choice in some future elections.
Yeah…again…for the nth time…DREAM ON?
[cue Outer Limits Theme]
“I now return you to your original Sponsor!”
4 September 2008, on 11:23 pm
OK…sorta OT, of course…for anyone not familiar with my little ^ Outer Limits theme reference…
which does, not so strangely, seem more and more appropriate, these days…ala…
“Be afraid…be VERY afraid!”
For anyone interested:
“The Outer Limits Original Series Intro And Ending”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmY8gTG8f5E
And…”THE OUTER LIMITS - Creation Of A Sci-Fi Classic !!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aPkKMxOrJcE&feature=related
5 September 2008, on 8:13 am
ChuckA, a great post. You can go ahead and say fundie-pussy without being anti-feminist. This is the danger of this appointment, and probably why they made it: people will be slow to criticise her, cuz you know, she’s a girl and all. I fear that McCain chose this circus act because he really has no grasp on the issues, seriously, no clue. You can always get people riled up over abortion, evolution and gay marriage. Are these really the most important issues facing the United States? In my state we banned same sex marriage and dumped affirmative action… Mr. God should be moving right in the neighborhood and bringing all his angels. Guess what? Unemployment, foreclosure, decaying infrastructure, business flight. What is Miss-”gonna-keep-my-[grand]baby” going to do about that? Isn’t our heart right with god yet? How do we know when it’s right enough, when they strike oil in Flint?
5 September 2008, on 8:05 pm
Wow, this woman is more fundelicious than our current Comandeer in Thief. It frightens me to think that we could be one heart beat away from a theocracy.
Why does anyone even entertain what these fucktards have to say about evolution (or any matter of science, for that matter.) A heart surgeon doesn’t ask the medical opinion of the hospital chaplin. Why do fundies really think they have any say on matters of science.
And this is where the true hypocracy comes in–The same folks who insist that science has nothing to say on matter of morals and ethics (which is pattently incorrect) are the same folks who insist on giving their assinine mythology equal time in science classes.
Fucktards, indeed.
5 September 2008, on 9:18 pm
I realize that Republicans are not generally conversant with basic science, but couldn’t they be bothered to consult a dictionary when using scientific terms?
One more time, now (say it with me): theories regarding the origin of life are known as
abiogenesis , which is only tangentially related to evolution. Apparently, the Alaskan GOP doesn’t know this, and didn’t consult anyone who could tell them before putting it in the party platform. It’s an official document!
Look at it another way. Would you say that conception and pregnancy are the same thing?
5 September 2008, on 11:21 pm
Here’s a solution for the science teachers who may end up having to teach ID(iot)ism in their classrooms …
1. Start the beginning of class, first day, first few minutes, discussing that in science everything must be questioned. Encourage students to question every statement you make. (May get frustrating, but this WILL pay off)
2. Go on to discuss how we know things to be true — i.e. the scientific method.
3. Make a statement. If no one questions, ask students if they’re just going to accept what anyone tells them to be true.
4. Mock students.
5. Make other statements (by this point some should at least be questioning them — if not, repeat step 4 until they do)
6. Teach science. Continue to encourage questions and students wondering how we understand laws and theories to be true.
7. Teach evolution. Explain how we know this to be a tested and true (to the extent that it is a theory).
8. Teach ID. Don’t say anything. Wait for the one bright kid in the back of the class to question it…
and then go… “Well, since we have no way of testing this hypothesis, it can’t go through the scientific method and become theory or law, and therefore is not scientifically proven, like evolution is.”
Problem solved. Lay down the ground rules and teach kids to think for themselves and ta da! they will!
(am I being really idealistic or what!?)
6 September 2008, on 11:24 pm
Dana, excellent points. This whole ID in the classroom thing might actually be a good thing. It could very well totally backfire and bring more people to reality and away from superstition than keeping kids from thinking about it. That may not be too far-fetched because if teachers are going to be forced to teach the two together, then I am certain that most good science teachers are going to have a great time getting kids to THINK about what a scientific theory is and the students are going to have a bitch of a time coming up with a scientific theory to prove their superstitious beliefs.
7 September 2008, on 1:43 am
What would be the correct answers in ID? What god created the earth and did he/she/it have help?
I wish I had kids so that I could interact with these fucks and make them cry.
7 September 2008, on 10:13 am
I’ve always wondered what a scientific textbook on ID would look like.
8 September 2008, on 10:19 am
Here is the link to the wiki page about “Of Pandas And People”, the “text book” which “debunked” evolution.
Regarding sarah palin and her views on the origins of life: at last the underlining motivation for her nomination becomes evident. Her conservative background is even more in step with W Bush than McCain’s, and she’s been packaged with the old bastard to prove that he’s open to new levels of pandering, that the McCain ticket is a ticket for the “young earth” base. The only remaining chance of winning this thing for the GOP is to reignite the culture wars, which, if you listened to Palin’s speech in St Paul, she tried her best to do, attacking the liberal media, making coded anti-gay, anti-choice, anti-science statements. She’s just a “hockey mom” and (she actually said this in her speech) do you know the difference between a pitbull and a hockey mom? (Jon Stewart’s answer was one is a misunderstood breed of dog and the other is a recently fabricated demographic), she said “lip stick”.
Years from now, this election will be known not for the “cracks in the glass ceiling” or the first black man to get the nomination from a major political party (hopefully to hold office) but instead will be remembered for the first time that there was a “COUGAR” on the ticket. In fact there are two: Palin obviously and Joe Biden’s wife, i believe it was the great philosopher Garth Ulgar of Wayne’s World who said it best “SCHWING!!!”
8 September 2008, on 10:41 am
Wow, you atheists sure are an angry bunch. I think there’s a Bible verse for you guys: “Blessed are the angry, for they will be given blogs.”
8 September 2008, on 10:46 am
ndefalco ^^
There you go with that “angry” word you god botherers are programmed to recite every time you hear opinions that contradict your own.
We are not the ones wishing hell and damnation upon those who are different from us. You folks have a pretty angry and violent mythology book you believe in.
If we are angry about anything, it’s because of the way evangelical fucktards fuck everything up they come in contact with, especially government and the way their “angry” god orders them to invade other lands and kill people.
So, did you have something to add here, or just come by to drop a turd, giggle and run off?
8 September 2008, on 2:32 pm
ndefalco?
Isn’t there another passage; I think it’s also from Jeebus’s “Skirmish on the Mount”…
“Blessed are the god botherers, who totally, and literally, believe all the made-up scriptural mythologies; for they shall be called totally brainwashed, ignorant and stupid fucktards!
(or was it fuckheads…or…shitheads? It all depends, I guess, on which English translation you’re reading.)
8 September 2008, on 3:59 pm
ChuckA, it’s a good thing that they are total hypocrites and don’t really believe in the things they profess, except when they want to tell other people how to live.
8 September 2008, on 10:27 pm
Angry, ndfalco? How would you feel if people told you you were deficient, or even “evil” because you refused to believe in their invisible friend or their make-believe bullshit. What if you saw those same people fucking up the world you love, simply to assuage the presumed anger of their unprovable sky-pappy? You bet y’r sweet ass I’m angry! Got any more turds for me to deflect and toss back at ya?
18 September 2008, on 5:36 pm
Ndfalco, my family was basically ejected from our last community because I confronted the PTA board on the issue of prayer in schools. (Thankfully we’ve been welcomed to our new community of choice, way further north, where people are sane and understand the anti-establishment clause of the first amendment.) It was pretty traumatic for my two children. The Bible-thumpers were the ones who behaved wrathfully and quite contrary to the spirit espoused in the gospels.
The rest of you, my husband, Majutsu, just made an excellent post about the endangered state of science education in this country, and its potential repercussions, at our blog, Enough is Enough (you can find it in the sidebar to the right).