US school's new challenge to Darwin

They call this "Dutch country", the soft hills and open dales of South Pennsylvania, settled by European migrants three centuries ago.

Map of Pennsylvania
It is a conservative part of the country, overwhelmingly white and Christian, where the old world and the new live side-by-side.

It is an unlikely place for a revolution.

Yet the small town of Dover in York County is at the centre of an argument on the origins of mankind.

The local high school has just become the first in the country to discuss an alternative Darwin's theory of evolution in class, called Intelligent Design. "

Full article: here

If this turns into a "omgz relgi0ns suxx0rs fu rel1geeion" thread, it will be closed an appropriate forums suspensions will be handed out by me personally.

 

me first then....

I don't think american school kids thought that up. Ever spoken to one in real life?

That's my 2p

 

I find this quite frightening tbh, school is no place for pushing religious beliefs.
School is supposed to be a place of learning.

I have total belief that school and church should be 100% seperate, religion is a personal thing, something you choose as an individual.

I'll leave it at that cos I can see a ban on the horizon

 

Nothing new to say on this that has not already been said in this thread tbh.

 

I'm up for a twist on The Night Thoreau Spent in Jail and The Scopes Monkey Trial.

Besides that, it is nice that other explainations are given so other possibilities are explored and tested. Open-mindedness and curosity is a good thing.

 

On that argument, a fly is so complex, there must be some unknown, architect responsible. So if the same Architect made the fly, maybe we should stop swatting our brother, until we've seen the Plan.

The problem with Faith beliefs is when the believers start interpreting it or claiming to have a hot-line to their particular God, and, "This is what he wants us to do..."

I'll wait until he tells me direct.

 

maybe there right... maybe we were created by ALIENS (not gods). thats feasable imo!

however, to displace darwin as the king of this topic isnt something i am prepared to do just yet! I also believe, as said, that this is an attemp to push creationism into schools. as penski said - this has no place in science (for the mere definition that it cannot be tested - astronomy isnt a science, why should creationism be included within science - both cant be tested, neither are science, and should be taught as Higher or Further education only (and by which i mean non-mandatory stuff)).

Kids need to be taught the likely truths to the universe, or at the VERY LEAST well established theorys. I believe creationism doesnt belong to this category. Darwinian evolution has alot of scientific support, and while i believe it shoudl be taught a little of! it should be delved into too deeply!

example - atoms are taught in schools to be the fundamental matter of the universe. It is proven that atoms are the creator of all mattery things we see, tables etc.

quarks - the things which make up atoms. while theorised about, and substancial proof gained about these, there isnt a full enough resource to say what we know is 90-100% true, and thus shouldnt be taugh at school.

 

I hope you mean astrology or I see a tall dark man poking you with a stick...

 

hey... is that an insult or compliment?

 

If the assumption is an "intelligent design", how does the theory explain that most people so dumb?

It would be at the very edge of probability, but I wouldn't exclude the possibility that some other being "designed" humans, just like humans "design" lab mice. Perhaps earth is some experiment gone wrong, and now hangs around in space like a forgotten, filthy Petri dish covered in mold.

The big problem in Dover is that some people claim to "know" who created, how created, and what this creature wants from us. If these people had the power, they would burn everybody at the stake who doesn't agree with them. Historic and present events are enough proof for that.

 

I don't necessarily have a problem with Darwin's theories being taught in school, so long as it's balanced. Darwin's theories are just that...theories. As far as public schools go, I think they should touch on both Creationism and Darwinism, and not just peddle one as being more "true" than another, and try to be as "unbiased" about it as possible. It's up to parents to teach their kids their religious beliefs (or Darwinist beliefs, whichever.)

Having said that...that's why my daughter's going to a private school.

 

nah. while astronomy is all very well and good, i like to think of sciences as the testable stuff - astronomy isnt fo rthe most part testable and thus isnt science. though id like to call it a science

 

SinizterGuy?

 

thats actually a good point. if in industry you build something wrong you'd scrap it or fix it. if there is a creator why does he/she let the 'dud' people go on?
this is sounding so bad- i'm so gonna end up banned

when i make a mistake i get rid of it, because its wrong. this creator may have a plan for the dumb but i cant see it . why have the dumb/broken?

 

yes, why sip from a teacup when we can drink from the river, stereotypes and slander all around, nick's buying. I hope your grammer used in making your first point was for ironic purposes, for your own sake.

 

Yes in fact I have talked to American school kids, I have 2 kids in the American school system as we speak. What's your point?

 

ditto. (personal note: nothing against you Dad, you know I like you but keep your boys away from my daughter.... )

 

My boys are good boys .. Nothing like I was

 

I think this theory is a valid belief that shouldn't be swept under the carpet but discussed...... IN A RELIGIOUS EDUCATION CLASS! Science is science, religion is religion. They are completely polar, this is a blatent attempt to push God into the labs.

 

Therein is the problem, in a public school, by law you are not allowed to teach creationism as an alternative to Darwinism. It's a matter of the Seperation of Church and State.