Controversy in Texas as Final Science Standards Are Approved

By a 13-2 vote, the Board of Education requires teachers to examine all sides of scientific evidence.

SUMMARY: The Texas Board of Education has voted 13-2 to give final approval to science education standards that require teachers to examine "all sides of scientific evidence." At the same time, it dropped language requiring the teachers to teach the "strengths and weaknesses" of scientific theories.

The new standards will take effect in 2011 and remain there for 10 years. The development is an important one because of the state's huge market for school textbooks which will require publishers to design their books to meet those standards.

Board chairman, Don McLeroy, a creationist with the evolution theory obviously on his mind, expressed disappointment that the requirement for teaching weaknesses of scientific theories was dropped. However, Kathy Miller, president of the pro-evolution Texas Freedom Network, was upset at the "potential footholds" for creationist attacks on evolution in the new standards.

While the National Academy of Sciences, which supports evolutionary theory, wants the public to be better informed about evolution, a policy analyst with the Discovery Institute, a leader in the Intelligent Design movement, said, "It's important for students to learn how to think like scientists and not be forced to treat these controversial topics like a dogma."

Some state legislatures have voted down "academic freedom" bills that would have allowed the teaching of intelligent design or the discussion of weaknesses of evolutionary theory. But Louisiana recently approved such a law and Florida is considering one.

To read the entire article click on this CNN link.

COMMENT: All due respect to the great state of Texas, this final vote on science standards does make the state, or at least its board of education, appear a little silly. Or perhaps I am the one who is dumb and silly for not being able to see much of a difference between teaching the strengths and weaknesses of a theory, a requirement that was dropped, and teaching all sides of scientific evidence, a requirement that passed.

All in all, it seems to be a victory for those scientists who firmly believe that evolution is not supported by scientific evidence. One would think that science textbooks approved for schools in Texas will now have to provide evidence that contradicts Darwin's theory. The Austin American-Statesman newspaper made it sound as if the conservatives on the board were happier with the vote than the "scientists."

Scientists who oppose the presentation of the evidence on both sides of the theory of evolution should be thoroughly embarrassed. They aren't acting like true scientists, as the Discovery Institute implied, but like Darwinian fundamentalists who don't want anyone questioning their beliefs. If there is no scientific evidence against the theory, then there is nothing for them to worry about. But their fears suggest they are well aware of the scientific evidence against evolution such as the lack of transitional animals and fossils and the inability of natural selection to evolve new kinds of creatures via mutations. Such negative evidence just could make an impression on the minds of students.

Open minds are a good thing for Christians who want to spread the blessed Gospel of Jesus Christ. If this vote means more students might be less resistant to the Word of God with minds less polluted by atheistic speculations, it is something for which we can praise the Lord.

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QUESTION OF THE DAY

How many volcanoes have erupted on Earth during historical times?

About 540 volcanoes have erupted on land. Nobody knows how many undersea volcanoes have erupted since records have been kept.

Source: LiveScience.com

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A011 - DINOSAURS, GENESIS, AND THE GOSPEL
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A talk by Ken Ham to an audience of children. The speech is enhanced by cartoons and music. Much food for thought even for adults. Study guide included. 2004. 60 minutes total.


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