Come on Mississippi, don’t let fuzzy and wishful thinking rule the day…
Mississippi State Representative Gary Chism (rhymes with jism) introduced the latest idiotic textbook labeling bill, which would require the State Board of Education to place stickers with the following disclaimers on every textbook that includes material on evolution:
The word ‘theory’ has many meanings, including: systematically organized knowledge; abstract reasoning; a speculative idea or plan; or a systematic statement of principles. Scientific theories are based on both observations of the natural world and assumptions about the natural world. They are always subject to change in view of new and confirmed observations.
This textbook discusses evolution, a controversial theory some scientists present as a scientific explanation for the origin of living things. No one was present when life first appeared on earth. Therefore, any statement about life’s origins should be considered a theory.
Evolution refers to the unproven belief that random, undirected forces produced living things. There are many topics with unanswered questions about the origin of life which are not mentioned in your textbook, including: the sudden appearance of the major groups of animals in the fossil record (known as the Cambrian Explosion); the lack of new major groups of other living things appearing in the fossil record; the lack of transitional forms of major groups of plants and animals in the fossil record; and the complete and complex set of instructions for building a living body possessed by all living things.
Study hard and keep an open mind.
And what’s the message? “Don’t believe science, kids.”
You know, I love how we always hear about Evolution being a “controversial theory” and how “some scientists” don’t accept it, etc. Get this: there are millions of “scientists” on this planet whose professional discipline is one that is intimately entwined with Evolution*–seven of them** have a problem with the fundamental principles of Evolution–you do the math…
[via Pharyngula]
nkb
* What I mean by this is that “scientist” is a fairly loosely-defined term (e.g., “Environmental Science”, “Computer Science”, etc.). Obviously, we should probably give more weight to the pronouncements on Evolution made by a Biologist, than a Climatologist.
** Seven. Not seven percent, not seven thousand, seven.
7 Comments
Yeah, we’re pretty thrilled about this one here in Mississippi. Evidently, some people in our state like the notion that we are known primarily for idiocy.
Well, I went to college in Mississippi (under- and over-grad) and still have many friends who live in The Magnolia State. Unsurprisingly, many, if not most, of them either (a) don't see the harm in teaching "both sides" and/or can't seem to grasp the significance (and having read your recent post on "Common Absurdities", I know you've heard that one), or (b) simply couldn't care less. Which is infuriating, considering that most of these people are at least reasonably well-educated people!
Obviously, this type of "idiocy" is far more common than should be–all over the country.
The word ‘theory’ has many meanings…
Since we're discussing a scientific theory, maybe we should stick to the meaning used by science.
No one was present when life first appeared on earth. Therefore, any statement about life’s origins should be considered a theory.
Last I checked, evolution is about the diversification of life and speciation. Abiogenesis (is it even considered a part of evolutionary theory or is it a separate-though-related area of study) is about the origins/beginning of life. And that's one of my big problems with this whole "controversy" nonsense. About the only reason there's a controversy is because the anti-evolution side is filled with masters of vagueness and outright obfuscation.
Well said. I couldn't agree more.
On the upside:
Antievolution bills dead in Michigan
(My home State)
More good news on this front – American Atheists has now issued an action alert and is contacting various state lawmakers. At least we aren't going to be alone in this fight.
That is good news. Here's the link for anyone who's following this: Action Alert: Mississippi.
I was glad to read that you've contacted the NCSE, keep up the good work.
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