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Kansas Challenges Definition of Science
nysus writes "Anti-evolutionists have made classrooms in Kansas a key battleground in America's culture war. Again. The New York Times reports they are proposing to change the definition of science in Kansas: 'instead of "seeking natural explanations for what we observe around us," the new standards would describe it as a "continuing investigation that uses observation, hypothesis testing, measurement, experimentation, logical argument and theory building to lead to more adequate explanations of natural phenomena."'" From the article: "In the first of three daylong hearings being referred to here as a direct descendant of the 1925 Scopes Monkey Trial in Tennessee, a parade of Ph.D.'s testified Thursday about the flaws they saw in mainstream science's explanation of the origins of life. It was one part biology lesson, one part political theater, and the biggest stage yet for the emerging movement known as intelligent design, which posits that life's complexity cannot be explained without a supernatural creator."
Since they obviously don't care about actually educating the kids, just close the damn schools.
Why give the kids gives false hope with a false education?
Just let the kids from Kansas be like their redneck fore-fathers and work in the fields.
While we're at it, make sure we remove the sex education classes. STD's will help to keep their population under control so that civilized society will be able to keep them out of the way.
This is a state that allows 12 year old girls to get married. (http://www.ageofconsent.com/kansas.htm)
How can we expect Kansas to care about educating their kids? The school system there basically serves to keep the kids occupied until they are old enough to work. Kansas has a minimum employment age of 14, EXCEPT for farm work, where younger kids are put to work. (http://www.dol.ks.gov/ES/html/childfaq_DEE.html) Notice on that page that the links to what children under 18 can and can not do return 404's.
Big surprise here, a backwards, backwater state has a backwards, backwater educational system.
Why is this news?
News will be when California or New York try to do this.
----- If communism is a system where the government owns business, what do you call a system where business owns govern
philosopher trying to sound smart again... this is a nerd board, go play your flute somewhere else.
Epistemology is the study of how to avoid studying by questioning anything and rendering it worthless... thats why philosophers dont shower
I know states can attempt to secede but can they be kicked out?
I honestly think it's time to dessolve the US. The states of Jesusland (red states) should form their own country and the blue states can form theirs too or merge with canada. It's clear by now that the concept of an American is just fiction. I have nothing culturally in common with somebody from kansas or oklahoma, they are more foreign to me then the canadians.
evil is as evil does
The heart of this debate is not whether evolution should or should not be taught, its how it should be taught.
Would you agree that evolution is still only a theory, even if a theory you believe likely to be true?
The fact remains--you can't tell kids its true when there is no proof that it is true. You are making this into an "us vs. Christians" argument. Its nots---its a theory vs. science vs. education argument.
Its a theory, so why not teach it as a theory? The real people who don't want the truth to be known are those who refuse to let the children learn that evolution remains a theory and not a proven fact. Period.
What is wrong with a sticker that declares the truth-that evolution is a theory? Anyone want to respond and argue that evolution is a fact? Go for it--then you will be on the side of lies.
From The Morning
[FromTheMorning]
Why can't the East and West coast states just expell the midwest and south or secede. Most of our federal taxes go to those states and they pay almost nothing. We would be so much better off without any of them.
I cry because I wonder how long before we have a Taliban like party in power. Its already started with the right-wing christian coalition wing of the Republicans. Fundamentalism thrives on ignorance, fear, unemployment, and poverty. All four are on an upward path in this country.
The problem here is that the fundies cling to thier god of the gaps. There is only room for god in things they don't understand. Everytime Science explains something there is less room for god.
There are plenty of intelligent people who believe in God and don't see a problem with science. Hell even John Paul II wrote an epistle that said evolution and God can co-exist. While he didn't go so far as to embrace evolution, acknowlidging that it is not haresy is important.
IMHO its the damn non-denominational 700 club watching bible thumping hillbillies that are turning this country into a theocracy. I hate it when a debate comes up to remove the ten commandments from the courthouse encites national outrage, but quitely subverting the education of our youth is recieved with another oh well it was bound to happen anyway.
And for the record I attended a Catholic high-school and recieved a damn fine education there. In fact I probably learned more about evolution in my school then they did in the public school. I believe in God, but I'm intelligent enough to recognize that just because we can explain natural phenomenon doesn't mean there is no God.
No.
Evolution and Homosexuality are mutually exclusive.
Hmmm witty sig or funny sig? Maybe elitest techy sig!
You've pointed to a bed of clay and said, "You can make bricks from this. Therefore a house can be constructed without the hand of Man." Speaking of education, I trust you took no logic courses.
Potato chips are a by-yourself food.
"Intelligent design" is not a valid theory, and it's not science. Its backers are unintelligent people who don't have a clue about design in general, how things naturally change to adapt (and in these adaptations, become more complex), and that science is always an approximation of understanding of natural causes for what we observe. Fundamentalist Christians however would have us stop thinking and accept the absurd idea that complex life forms can be perfected right off the bat, while essentially denying all the observations that make evolution a valid, if not yet thoroughly examined, scientific theory, if not fact.
Steve Magruder, Metro Foodist
amino acids -> polymers
Whoops. Not really, because water, once it allows them to join, quickly forces them apart again. Good thing, too, or we wouldn't be able to digest much of those massive polymers called protein.
Clay doesn't reproduce.
Oh, yeah, change the subject real quick, lest someone actually think about what you said, and see right through your dogma.
...on second thought, was your post sarcastic? Maybe the tongue was a bit too far in the cheek.
The difference between spam and poop is that you don't have to dig through septic tanks looking for real food. -- Me