Evolutionists, Atheists Admit Defeat in Texas

[Chad]

Evolutionists, Atheists Admit Defeat in Texas

by Christine Dao*

After months of hearing debates over Texas science education standards, the 15-member State Board of Education voted to remove the requirement for teachers to teach the “strengths and weaknesses” of scientific theories, such as evolution, and instead adopted a requisite for students to critically analyze and evaluate “all sides of scientific evidence.”

The board voted 13-2 in favor of the new curriculum requirements, which state:

In all fields of science, analyze, evaluate, and critique scientific explanations by using empirical evidence, logical reasoning, and experimental observation and testing, including examining all sides of scientific evidence of those explanations so as to encourage critical thinking by the students.

However, despite meeting their goal to get the “strengths and weaknesses” language dropped from the standards, Darwinists have rejected Texas’ effort to “encourage critical thinking by students.”
“This is a setback for science education in Texas, not a draw, not a victory,” said Eugenie Scott, Executive Director of the pro-evolution lobbyist group National Center for Science Education.¹

“Having students ‘analyze and evaluate all sides of scientific evidence’ is code that gives creationists a green light to attack biology textbooks,” said NCSE project director Josh Rosenau.¹

But isn’t analyzing and evaluating what science is all about? Are not scientists supposed to thoroughly examine scientific evidence in order to come to a solid and indisputable conclusion? And isn’t fostering critical thinking among students the aim of all classroom teaching, particularly in public science education? Why would anyone, regardless of worldview bias, want to deny students the opportunity to critically think and follow the evidence wherever it may lead?

The issue isn’t merely academic, but has applications to all areas of scientific endeavor. If a scientist developed a pharmaceutical drug, wouldn’t patients want to be assured that the drug had been thoroughly analyzed for its drawbacks as well as its benefits? If an aircraft designer engineered a new wing design, wouldn’t pilots and passengers want to know that the data from the flight tests underwent intensive scrutiny to find possible dangers before implementation on real airplanes?

The new standards will take effect for the 2010-2011 school year. This makes Texas one of seven other states that specifically require students to critically analyze scientific theories, including Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection. Two states, Mississippi and Louisiana,² have passed academic freedom measures for teachers and students to discuss scientific evidence critical to Darwinism. This may be a “setback” for supporters of evolution, but it is a victory for science.

References

1. Science setback for Texas schools. National Center for Science Education press release, March 30, 2009.
2. Dao, C. Louisiana the Only State to Promote Academic Freedom (So Far). ICR News. Posted on icr.org on July 23, 2008, accessed April 1, 2009.

* Ms. Dao is Assistant Editor at the Institute for Creation Research.
Article posted on April 3, 2009.

Evolutionists, Atheists Admit Defeat in Texas

 

[Coconut]

Darwinists have rejected Texas’ effort to “encourage critical thinking by students.”

Heaven forbid any school of thought would encourage thinking!

I`m laughing but mans religions have long promoted themselves and found growth by fostering the same mindset as the Darwinists....'dont question -just believe!'

 

[Fellowservant]

Not bad this also may leave room for discussing intelligent design. Intelligent design is cool science if you are willing to put it under a microscope. Or even just looking at nature as Paul says. So yes this looks promising, especially for christian students.


God bless

 

[Fellowservant]

lol the only problem i see with intelligent design ( but im not sure ) is that it doesn't let you say, or know who the designer is. So be careful with them little green men:shade:

 

[johnpaul]

As a science teacher in the UK, I agree with Chad's evaluation above.
It is imperative that children learn the process of science before establishing facts. A scientific fact, or paradigm, is always tested and survives each and every test until it is once proven wrong. Then it is completely 'dead in the water'. Evolution is simply a paradigm with far more flimsy evidence in my view than quantum effects. This, Einstein said was 'spooky action at a distance', and he doubted this all his life. So much for evolution.

As soon as you introduce the word 'believe' into an analysis, it ceases to be scientific and Darwin's work is full of 'in my opinion...' and 'I believe that...' in his work on natural selection. If this the best educators on both sides of the pond can do with the origins of life, I feel they should try reading the Bible, a good one too like KJV, before condemning creationism.

For me, I have greater faith in the creation of Mankind by God, than the evolution of Men from Apes... This is still unsubstantiated by any direct evidence and the so called scientists are having to deal with shamefull fraud like Piltdown Man. Never mind finding proper, empirical evidence that we were 'happy monkeys'...

Does there have to be a plan in nature? Well look at it! does it look unplanned and chaotic? I don't think so.

So, let's teach our kids 'How to do science', rather than bullying them into accepting an atheist paradigm.

Love in Christ Johnpaul.

 

[johnpaul]

LGM

lol the only problem i see with intelligent design ( but im not sure ) is that it doesn't let you say, or know who the designer is. So be careful with them little green men:shade:

Yes, but you must teach kids the protocols of investigation. Learning that intelligent design is probable leads to the investigation of an intelligent designer.

We can't use science to investigate this any more than asking science to explain what happened before the big bang. In science there was no before because time itself started with the big bang.
However, all this is but an in investigate-able paradigm.

What is of importance to children is why we think these things, and what we can do to go further. Here the use of the Bible is absolutely correct, but we must point out that we are then in the realms of faith. Faith is important to children too.

God bless you.

 

[Fellowservant]

Yes, but you must teach kids the protocols of investigation. Learning that intelligent design is probable leads to the investigation of an intelligent designer.

We can't use science to investigate this any more than asking science to explain what happened before the big bang. In science there was no before because time itself started with the big bang.
However, all this is but an in investigate-able paradigm.

What is of importance to children is why we think these things, and what we can do to go further. Here the use of the Bible is absolutely correct, but we must point out that we are then in the realms of faith. Faith is important to children too.

God bless you.

I agree brother, but it would create faith if you could prove an intelligent designer with science. Then folks would probably seek this out for themselves. And i can see more heading in the direction of an almighty God, instead of aliens or whatever.

So it would be good for us either way You will notice that teaching evolution to unbelievers only leads to more unbelief, it even affects some believers. But if you teach an intelligent designer or creator in schools, it will have the opposite affect i would think?

People may go out and worship other Gods if this was the case, but that was the norm at one time, mostly every one had a God of some sort. But yes i see your points.

God bless

 

[Xtremefaith]

Good article

Thanks so much for posting such a good quality post. Having the sources and everything posted makes it very easy to verify and trust your post as a quality source.

I definitely agree with yours and fellowservants assessment of the update. I am very passionate about this area as well unfortunately I'm so busy with schooling and work sometimes that I don't get a chance to really get involved and see all that's going on throughout the nation.

Have you ever seen the movie "expelled"? I think it made a great case for the need to change the education curriculum, its just not right the blatant disregard to defy the purpose of science and education by restricting the study of true answers. I'm so surprised to see evolution so strong in the school system with no real evidence, yet creation has been taught from the beginning and somehow got forced out of the school system. When did that happen?

Thanks again!

 

[johnpaul]

capturing the creator

So it would be good for us either way You will notice that teaching evolution to unbelievers only leads to more unbelief, it even affects some believers. But if you teach an intelligent designer or creator in schools, it will have the opposite affect i would think?

God bless

Yes it will have the opposite effect in my experience. In the uk, much teaching is prescribed, one reason I left.
I feel that the truth is being sought by both Christians and scientists. Therefore, oneday both worlds should converge. So maybe patience is required and the truth persued.
God bless.