Creationism News

Evolution Mandatory In British Schools

2:25 am EST November 20th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 6 Comments

The Brits do this while the religious right smacks lead pipes into our kid’s ankles, intellectually.

Topic: Creationism, Education, Evolution, Religious Right

Connect The Dots, Oklahoma Edition

10:59 am EST September 19th, 2009 | News | 153 Comments

(Oklahoma) Bill promotes school religion at expense of education

The bill requires public schools to guarantee students the right to express their religious viewpoints in a public forum, in class, in homework and in other ways without being penalized. If a student’s religious beliefs were in conflict with scientific theory, and the student chose to express those beliefs rather than explain the theory in response to an exam question, the student’s incorrect response would be deemed satisfactory, according to this bill.

Mayoral Candidate Anna Falling Wants Creationism Exhibit

A push to exhibit the Christian story of creation at the Tulsa Zoo failed four years ago. Republican candidate for Tulsa mayor, Anna Falling, is bringing the issue front and center.

It’s the same exhibit and the same arguments, but now it is given from the bully pulpit of a candidate running for mayor.

“Some may ask why this issue during a Mayoral campaign? And I say why not?” said candidate Anna Falling.

Oklahoma GOP Platform (via)

7. We believe that the scientific evidence supporting Biblical creation should be included in Oklahoma public schools curricula, and if any evolution theory is taught, that both should receive equal funding, class time, and material. Teachers should have the freedom to cover creation science without fear of intimidation, reprimand, or lack of professional respect.

[...]

Curriculum
1. Curricula should include [...] the option of using the Bible as HISTORY [emphasis added] or literature text.

Study Questions Okla. School Performance

A new study claimed that one in four Oklahoma high school students couldn’t identify the first person to be President of the United States.

The study, which found that students also struggled to answer other basic questions, has some people questioning the effectiveness of Oklahoma schools.

Researchers from the Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs questioned 1,000 high school students and said that only 3 percent of them would be able to pass the United States Citizenship Test.

Topic: Creationism, Education, Intelligent Design, Religious Right

Why America Shakes Its Head At Texas

12:03 pm EST July 12th, 2009 | News | 31 Comments

Yes, lets hire a creationist to run the state education board. Lord. Then again, this is a decision made by Gov. Rick Perry – previously of Texas secession advocacy and even before that, Lieutenant Governor to… George W. Bush.

So, it makes perfect sense.

Onward, backwards regional southern party, onward!

Topic: Creationism, Education

America Needs To Start Listening More To Its Scientists

9:23 pm EST July 9th, 2009 | News | 96 Comments

Listen harder, folks.

‘Nearly all scientists (97%) say humans and other living things have evolved over time,’ while only 61% of the public agrees, according to a new report (PDF, p. 37) from the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press. Asked which comes closer to their view, ‘Humans and other living things have evolved over time’ or ‘Humans and other living things have existed in their present form since the beginning of time,’ 97% of scientists responding chose the former option, as opposed to only 2% choosing the latter option; 61% of the public responding chose the former option, as opposed to 31% choosing the latter option.

Topic: Creationism, Evolution

Texas Engages In A Whole New Breed Of Stupid: Master’s Degree For Creationism?

5:52 pm EST March 18th, 2009 | Uncategorized | 60 Comments

That this is even an idea is a testament to the stupidity of the cultural right.

A Texas legislator is waging a war of biblical proportions against the science and education communities in the Lone Star State as he fights for a bill that would allow a private school that teaches creationism to grant a Master of Science degree in the subject.

State Rep. Leo Berman (R-Tyler) proposed House Bill 2800 when he learned that The Institute for Creation Research (ICR), a private institution that specializes in the education and research of biblical creationism, was not able to receive a certificate of authority from Texas’ Higher Education Coordinating Board to grant Master of Science degrees.

Berman’s bill would allow private, non-profit educational institutions to be exempt from the board’s authority.

“If you don’t take any federal funds, if you don’t take any state funds, you can do a lot more than some business that does take state funding or federal funding,” Berman says. “Why should you be regulated if you don’t take any state or federal funding?”

HB 2800 does not specifically name ICR; it would allow any institution that meets its criteria to be exempt from the board’s authority. But Berman says ICR was the inspiration for the bill because he feels creationism is as scientific as evolution and should be granted equal weight in the educational community.

Topic: Creationism, Intelligent Design, Religious Right