Creationists ... Threaten to Make a Mockery of Texas Science Education

[SoCalDem]

Last edited Thu Sep 12, 2013, 03:26 PM - Edit history (1)

Creationists Once Again Threaten to Make a Mockery of Texas Science Education
http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/09/12/texas_creationists_textbook_reviewers_want_more_religion_in_their_science.html
By Phil Plait

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Posted Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, at 8:00 AM

Let me get this out of the way immediately: The Earth is more than 4 billion years old. Evolution is real and is the basis for all modern understanding of biology. Climate change is happening, and humans are causing it. These fundamental scientific truths are agreed upon by the vast, overwhelming majority of scientists who study those particular fields, because of the vast, overwhelming evidence in those particular fields supporting them. It’s important that we teach this to young students, as well as how to understand what constitutes real evidence as opposed to ideological zealotry.

If you live in Texas, however, that necessity is under a real threat.

It has been for a long time; in 2007 Gov. Rick Perry appointed Don McLeroy, a young-Earth creationist, to head the state Board of Education (BoE), setting up a situation where education in Texas suffered mightily. In 2009 the state science standards were weakened, with clearly Biblically based beliefs behind the effort. In 2010 the BoE approved revisionist history in the textbooks (including apologetics for Joseph McCarthy, in case you were wondering just how ridiculous this stuff gets). In 2011 Texas creationists tried to get religious supplemental materials inserted into classes but lost. It goes on and on, and all the while they’ve been picking away at science and reality.

And now we’re entering a new round. Earlier this year, the BoE sent out letters to “experts” asking to help them evaluate the high school biology textbooks being considered for use.

You can guess where this is going.

Several of the “experts” were creationists, and they met recently to give their opinions. Several statements given by them have been made public, and well, wow:

snip

[TheDeputy]

1. It isn't science.

These dumb shits start with a conclusion, throw out evidence that doesn't support the conclusion, and pronounce their "truth."

Terrifyingly, I have been to the "creation museum" in the Cincinnati area. There was this exhibit that blew my mind. It had a fossil of a thorn. The text read (paraphrasing) "the bible says that thorns were not on plants until the fall of Adam. Fossils tell us that dinosaurs and thorns were around at the same time. Therefore people and dinosaurs walked the earth at the same time." I swear, I saw this. It is fucking insane!

[exboyfil]

2. Simply logical

You start with a bad premise and you get crap conclusions.

The only thing I can figure out with the Creation Museum is that it is like a Fantasyland that reinforces an ongoing myth.

I wonder if the folks pushing for Creation Science (Intelligent Design) realize that the Discovery Institute had a golden opportunity to present their case in Kitzmiller and were AWOL. Poor Behe had to take the beating by himself.

Something to be said about the persistence of these folks. I know they are wearing me down.

[SoCalDem]

3. They NEVER... EVER ...back down or go away

It's distressing to me too

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

4. Having already made a mockery of Christianity...

they're moving on to greener pastures.

[HarveyDarkey]

5. Did you forget to post a link?

If there's a snip, there's more I'm guessing.

[SoCalDem]

6. apparently.. *EDIT..it's there now

and here

http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2013/09/12/texas_creationists_textbook_reviewers_want_more_religion_in_their_science.html

[HarveyDarkey]

7. Thanks, much appreciated

More of the Same Old, same Old from the creationist nut jobs. I guess they'll never give up.

[The Straight Story]

8. Do those people even know that Moses never even existed? (nt)

[longship]

9. To say nothing of Jesus.

There's no historical references to him either. Or much of the historic claims within the narrative of his supposed life. Nazareth didn't even exist when he was supposedly born. The birth narratives in the gospels are divergent and many claims are falsified by what is known. Start with the census claim. It all collapses.

He may have lived, but the stories are clearly all made up. The null hypothesis is that he was made up, too.