Why are we teaching Evolution, when the majority believe in Creation?

We were talking about Creationists efforts to sway popular opinion in another thread here is a bill being proposed to broaden the powers of the Texas School Board to edit content (but strangely in science the focus is evolution not other science topics like gravity etc.) The rep who is proposing this states that Creationism should have equal if not more time in science classrooms due to its greater popularity with citizens.

As if science is a democracy and people vote on what is a theory or not. If there had been a vote when Germ theory was being introduced people would still be dying of smallpox and other diseases because the majority thought that disease was caused by sin.

here is the entire article...


Expanded board role proposed


By R.A. Dyer

Star-Telegram Austin Bureau


AUSTIN - Biblical creationism could be taught side by side with evolution in science textbooks under legislation pending in the Texas House, according to the bill's sponsor.

State Rep. Charlie Howard, R-Sugar Land, said his House Bill 220 would give the elected State Board of Education more control over the content of school textbooks. Students should get information about creationism if they are being taught about evolution, and he said his legislation could lead the way.

"I don't believe in evolution -- I believe in creation," he said. "Some of our books right now only teach evolution, [but] if you're going to teach one, you ought to teach both."

The Houston-area lawmaker also said the State Board of Education, a Republican-controlled body with strong representation by social conservatives, should have the discretion to remove evolution segments from science textbooks.

"Evolution is a theory," he said. "It is a theory, it's not a fact. There is no fact for evolution, none. ... Why are we teaching a theory, when we have [another] position -- creation -- that the majority of the people in this country believe?"

Howard's legislation would give the State Board of Education authority to "adopt guidelines that define general textbook content standards," including standards related to curriculum requirements.

HB 220 also calls for textbooks to remain free from "errors of commission or omission related to viewpoint discrimination or special interest advocacy on major issues, as determined by the State Board of Education."

Don't be bamboozled, said Texas Freedom Network President Kathy Miller: HB 220 represents a step backward for Texas education.

"There will be diluting of history, a narrowing of perspectives and a removal of factual information if it doesn't fit with the personal and religious beliefs of whatever majority controls the board," said Miller, whose group opposes the religious right in state politics.

State board member Terri Leo, a social conservative Republican from Houston, said the legislation would simply restore to the state board its historic authority over textbooks.

"Without SBOE authority to establish general textbook content standards, books with viewpoint discrimination, bias, a negative portrayal of the free enterprise system and U.S. citizenship and extremely objectionable or inappropriate content can be and have been approved," Leo said.

The board had greater control over textbook content until the passage of Senate Bill 1 in 1995. Now, state board members can reject only textbooks that fail to meet physical specifications, those that contain factual errors or those that do not cover the state's education curriculum.

However, the state board can indirectly control textbook content because it has authority over the state's curriculum. The last time the board revamped curriculum was in 1996, according to information from the Texas Education Agency.

Legislation similar to Howard's includes House Bill 973 by state Rep. Jerry Madden, R-Richardson, and House Bill 2534 by state Rep. Warren Chisum, R-Pampa. Chisum's bill also states that textbooks cannot "encourage lifestyles that deviate from generally accepted standards of society."


http://www.dfw.com/mld/dfw/news/legislature/11471142.htm

But my opinion is that most GOPers are moderate like myself. They are a little disturbed by the toxic culture and think that Creationism is a way of introducing God back into schools.

What they don't understand is thet the science classrooms is not the point to introduce God in the classrooms. I think they really don't know enough about the TOE to understand unlike Creationism there is some actual supporting scientific evidence.

They don't understand the TOE in the first place and this ignorance combined with their religious beliefs allow them to be politically manipulated.

Both parties have ways to manipulate people. Some GOPers have just happened to have found this wedge with the TOE.

random_guy said:

It seems like every one sponsoring or supporting actions against evolution is a Republican. When did that become part of the platform? Surely, there must be some sane Republicans out there willing to say, "This is not our views. This is the narrow view of a small fanatical wing of our party."

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