Georgia Takes on ‘Evolution’ By ANDREW JACOBS, NYTimes
A proposed set of guidelines for middle and high school science classes in Georgia has caused a furor after state education officials removed the word ”evolution” and scaled back ideas about the age of Earth and the natural selection of species.
Educators across the state said that the document, which was released on the Internet this month, was a veiled effort to bolster creationism and that it would leave the state’s public school graduates at a disadvantage. …
A handful of states already omit the word “evolution” from their teaching guidelines, and Ms. Cox called it “a buzz word that causes a lot of negative reaction.” She added that people often associate it with “that monkeys-to-man sort of thing.” … [mjh: yeah, ignorant people]
“Evolution” was replaced with “changes over time,” and in another phrase that referred to the “long history of the Earth,” the authors removed the word “long.” Many proponents of creationism say Earth is at most several thousand years old, based on a literal reading of the Bible. …
In the past, Ms. Cox, has not masked her feelings on the matter of creationism versus evolution. During her run for office, Ms. Cox congratulated parents who wanted Christian notions of Earth and human creation to be taught in schools. …
“Creation is not science, so it should not be taught in science class,” said Dr. Ayala, a professor of genetics at the University of California at Irvine. “We don’t teach astrology instead of astronomy or witchcraft practices instead of medicine.”
Do you think it is a coincidence that barriers between church and state are being torn down by the born-again President? Is it coincidence that the same people who say there is no science supporting global warming also believe there is no science supporting evolution? Is it coincidence that education is declining as Christian radicals attack it right and left? An ignorant populace is more easily lead, especially by unscrupulous tyrants. Welcome to “faith-based democracy” (ie, a theocracy). mjh