Comments on: Oklahoma, Textbooks, and Ignorance

By: Bryan T rim

Bryan T rim — Wed, 11 Jan 2006 10:28:26 +0000

Good article. I will be starting the fall semester at Cameron U. to get my science degree with the aim of becoming a high school science teacher. I have worked in laboratory science for three years, and medical science for six. It saddens me that people take shots at scientists by calling them “bigots”. They would not allow us to teach biology to their sunday school students, so why should we allow them to teach religion to public school students. What the “ID” crowd also fails to realize that once that door is flung wide, any “alternative” theory is admissable, including my personal favorite, that of the FSM. http://www.venganza.org home of the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

By: Austringer

Austringer — Tue, 28 Jun 2005 15:46:42 +0000

Yes. The lecture is for the Physics department in their Physics2005 schedule. The title I’ve provided is “Physics, Physiology, Evolution: Cues for Accommodation and Adaptation.” I think the lecture will be the Thursday night while I’m there.

By: Ereshkigal

Ereshkigal — Mon, 27 Jun 2005 19:15:24 +0000

Thanks! I do not qualify to attend the classes, but I noticed that OSLEP’s website states: “Many of the visiting scholars present a free public lecture, open to the community. These programs always include a question & answer session and an opportunity to meet and talk with the scholar.”

Will you be presenting such a lecture?

By: Austringer

Austringer — Mon, 27 Jun 2005 05:02:13 +0000

I went looking and discovered that they have a web page up concerning the seminar. That makes things easier.

By: Ereshkigal

Ereshkigal — Sun, 26 Jun 2005 03:12:06 +0000

Where and when will you be in Oklahoma?

By: Austringer

Austringer — Tue, 31 May 2005 23:04:16 +0000

The very saddest thing about Jeff “Zeno” Low’s comment is that he is serious, and not simply relaying a parody of what antievolutionists think.

By: Zeno

Zeno — Mon, 30 May 2005 18:20:20 +0000

In other words, first do some science, convince the scientific community that there is a point there, then it will be ready to teach in K-12 science classes.

Ok. Genetics 101.. Everybody that’s born gets 50% of their genetic makeup from their mother and 50% from their father, therefore evolution is impossible.

By: G Lynn

G Lynn — Sun, 29 May 2005 17:59:20 +0000

Quester Uk

There is nothing wrong with discussing all theories – ID however is not a theory – saying the fairies did it contributes absolutely nothing to the discussion.

What exactly do you propose is taught – there is no evidence and no theory !

By: Austringer

Austringer — Sun, 29 May 2005 17:24:00 +0000

In science classes, religious alternatives to scientific theories are not topical. Please note that I’ve already discussed how one legitimately gets things into the science curriculum — convince the science community that your “alternative” is science.

As for Dell’s “close-mindedness”, there is the issue of who is doing the reporting. Mazzei and Jolley don’t seem to be inclined to take anything less than credulous acceptance of their stance as being non-bigoted. She is cast as a bigot by people who are trying to railroad antievolution into the science curriculum, where it has no place.

By: QuesterUK

QuesterUK — Sun, 29 May 2005 02:19:50 +0000

Being open and honest about evolution AND critics of evolution surely means knowledge of alternatives to evolution should not be denied.

What is actually wrong with the comment given “Letâ€™s encourage open and honest discussion of all theories so students can learn to think critically….”?

You must ask how close-minded is Dell – “Dellâ€™s responses to questioning in the Senate Education Committee showed she is unwilling to even allow a mention or discussion of alternative theories on the origins of the universe”.

This sounds like she is being a bigot for the religion of evolution.