How to 'out' creationists running for local posts like school board.

[reprobate]

For years now the creationists have been organizing to place 'creationism' on the agenda of local school boards and have it tought in schools as an alternative and eventual replacement for evolution.

It seems to me that while they have been organized, we have been playing 'whack a mole' trying to beat down all these idiots.

Here is one suggestion on how they can be countered.


Demand that all candidates for local office, particularly those for school board, sign a statement that they support the scientific method and on their oath will not suggest, support, or otherwise encourage the teaching of anything that runs counter to that. I'll leave the wording to those smarter than me.

Any candidate who refuses to sign this oath will be open to attack for trying to destroy the education systme.

This seems like a perfect job for the local democratic clubs and organizations.


Let's hear some other ideas on this. It's time we faught back.

[patrice]

1. Don't creationist claim that their method is scientific?

which is their whole basis for getting Creation Science into public curricula.

[denverbill]

3. It's scientific to them.

What they don't understand is that all of science is about theories and hypotheses, and that when a new theory comes along that better explains scientific facts that theory replaces the existing theory, until a better one comes along.

For thousands of years, Bible believers, including scientists, believed the earth was 6000 years old and every creature was created by God in a few days. That was the accepted theory.

However, scientists have since found evidence that the earth is over 6000 years old, and that creatures actually evolve. Therefore, Biblical dogma was dumped as the accepted theory.

However, if ever God suddenly appears, gathers together a bunch of scientists, goes into a lab and creates a new species out of thin air, then perhaps we'll go back to Bible theory.

[Caution]

2. Do you really think that oaths are the way to go here?

We have no right to prevent someone from public service for their beliefs.

Neither you nor I have the right to prevent someone who believes in that crap from becoming a school board member based on their religious beliefs.

I happen to be an atheist and wouldn't be happy if some religious fruitcake wanted to teach my kid their doctrine as fact, but I wouldn't be asking for oaths of fealty from anyone who wished to serve on a school board either.

[progdonkey]

4. Probably unconstitutional

I have to agree with aptly-named Caution. Your idea could so easily be struck down on grounds of being unconstitutional, and if it were, the Religious Right would have an excellent event to rally around. It's stated in the Constitution that no religious test shall be required for anyone who seeks public office. Of course, the theory of evolution is not a matter of religious faith, but at worst it would be ruled unconstitutional, at best it would leave the protectors of science in the classroom open to RW attacks of attempting to restrain the freedoms of Christians.

The best way to protect against these assaults on our schools is through voter education during school board elections, etc. As far as I know, every time a school board goes towards Creationism, the supporting members of the board end up losing their re-election bids. I think the majority of people realize how extreme these people are (at least, I hope they do).

As far as identifying the Creationists, I would think that most of these candidates have identifiable contacts with the Creationism world (their church, supporters, donors, etc.). Whenever there are any debates, do all you can to get the candidate to answer a question about evolution.

[beyurslf]

5. It is not unconstitutional to ask a candidate to sign a form. Groups do it

all the time. The publicize those who sign and those who don't. Like a pledge to support women's rights or a pledge to support sound environmental policy. The pldege would require an adherence to sound science and not religious science. Some would vote for the candidate who signed and some would support those who refused to sign.