Scots laughing at Louisiana Creationism curriculum - all the way to the bank? [View all]

[daaron]

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2012/06/24/louisiana-schools-teach-that-existence-of-loch-ness-monster-proves-creationism/

From the Scotland Herald:
One ACE textbook – Biology 1099, Accelerated Christian Education Inc – reads: “Are dinosaurs alive today? Scientists are becoming more convinced of their existence. Have you heard of the ‘Loch Ness Monster’ in Scotland? ‘Nessie’ for short has been recorded on sonar from a small submarine, described by eyewitnesses, and photographed by others. Nessie appears to be a plesiosaur.”

Another claim taught is that a Japanese whaling boat once caught a dinosaur. It’s unclear if the movie Godzilla was the inspiration for this lesson.

Jonny Scaramanga, 27, who went through the ACE programme as a child, but now campaigns against Christian fundamentalism, said the Nessie claim was presented as “evidence that evolution couldn’t have happened. The reason for that is they’re saying if Noah’s flood only happened 4000 years ago, which they believe literally happened, then possibly a sea monster survived.

“If it was millions of years ago then that would be ridiculous. That’s their logic. It’s a common thing among creationists to believe in sea monsters.”

Thanks to Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana, this type of education is being funded with tax dollars, at least in Louisiana.
....
In Scotland, they hope to laugh all the way to the bank. Nessie expert Tony Drummond invites Americans to come “see” the monster who most think doesn’t exist.

Just to review - 'Nessie is real' isn't even the craziest thing in the "ACE programme".