Evolution debate in the US

[improvius]

Over here in the US, there is currently a nation-wide assault on evolution by the "Intelligent Design" proponents. Have you been hearing much about this in Australia? I swear, I am astounded by the ignorance of so many people here in the US when it comes to scientific matters. Even more astounding was last week, when our president openly supported the teaching of "Intelligent Design" alongside evolution in public schools.

So are the rest of you in the civilized world laughing your arses off at us right now, or does this "debate" come up in your country as well?

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsA...8200_RTRIDST_0_USREPORT-LIFE-EVOLUTION-DC.XML

-Imp

 

[Hickson]

I haven't heard anything about it, but then I don't watch the news or read the papers too much. From your article it certainly sounds like a re-vamped creationist attack similar to what they were doing 10 - 15 years ago.

Although I'm not laughing at the USA (I know how entrenched religion is in the psyche of majority of the populace), I know some people will be. Although in NSW, one of the political parties here would like to remove evolution entirely from the school curriculum.

I've always agreed that it would not be a bad thing for both sides of the story to be told. That's just common sense. When I grew up we had a subject at school called scripture - and it didn't cause any problems. We were able to identify that there were two opposing schools of thought. When we were tested on a subject, we were quizzed on what we had been taught, not on what we believed.

But to remove evolution teachings completely from the syllabus is just plain wrong. Give the students both arguments and let them make up their own minds. To remove that choice effectively results in brainwashing.



Hix

 

[Reptilegirl]

So are the rest of you in the civilized world laughing your arses off at us right now,

Although I'm not laughing at the USA , I know some people will be.

too right hix... i'm laughing.. :lol:

But to remove evolution teachings completely from the syllabus is just plain wrong. Give the students both arguments and let them make up their own minds. To remove that choice effectively results in brainwashing.

i'll agree with you there... quite strongly.
Megz