Curriculum standards for American schools aren’t dictated at the federal level — yet. But if they were, Rep. Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard, apparently would vote to teach intelligent design alongside evolution theory. He said: "I believe Kansas students should receive information about the major theories on the origin of life. Proponents of the theories of intelligent design and evolution have well-known and respected scientists claiming scientific evidence to support the validity of each of these leading mainstream theories. Proponents of both theories should be confident enough in the science that they would welcome any scientifically based scrutiny by schoolchildren."
Where he’s right: that kids should learn multiple theories about the origin of life somewhere in school (though not in science class). Where he’s wrong: in suggesting an equal number of "well-known and respected scientists" see validity in evolution and ID. It isn’t even remotely close.
Posted by Rhonda Holman
Registered?
Commenting on WE Blog now requires you to be a Kansas.com member. Use the links above to register, if you haven't already, or to log in.Contact us
Follow us
Daily Archives
-
Recent Comments
- littlejohn on Let immigrants run
- okobserver on Let immigrants run
- JimJohnson on Let immigrants run
- JimJohnson on Let immigrants run
- Pleefer on Open thread 11/23
- JimJohnson on Let immigrants run
- Monkeyhawk on Let immigrants run
- littlejohn on Open thread 11/23
- JimJohnson on Let immigrants run
- writerdog on Open thread 11/23
32 Comments
About half way through all the fighting for I.D. I searched for ,one: What is the theory of intelligent design?two: what evidence there was to support I.D.?three: who were the scientists who supported the theory?
The answers I found were:One: That life is too complex to have been a random occurrences.Two: That through a study of the different forms of life, such things as the eyes should not work. So someone must have designed them to work. Such complexity in the functions of the living organisms, organs, adaptive functions of the limbs and tongue had to have been designed to work the way they do.Three: The Doctors and professors that support I.D. have their degrees in Math, theology and media.
The point of all this? Well I guess there is just NO point in all this!
I can’t remember anybody teaching or knowing the orgins of life. That is like trying to teach children about what will happen to us after we die. Nobody knows that, and it is left to faith or personal belief.
The evolution of species is however is something that is taught, and the science community accepts it as fact. However, it goes against many of Christanity beliefs, and therefore a threat to them (In their mind) yet they play it back to the scienist and say that they are afraid.
Scientist understand that life is complicated, wonderful, and extermely detailed. I mean, we humans, are a well designed machine ourselves. So there is a case for ID, but scientist also know that species adapt over time to become more efficent and that is a fact.
A definition of “intelligent design” is needed that most people can agree on. Its not creation and its not evolution. So how is it defined?
JWink,
Decide who ro whatthe intelligence is..then tell me it’s not creationism in disguise. I’ll repeat a couple of quotes from a Discovery Institute document (ID think tank) leaked a few years ago:
“Design theory promises to reverse the stifling dominance of the materialist worldview, and to replace it with a science consonant with Christian and theistic convictions.”
“Alongside a focus on influential opinion-makers, we also seek to build up a popular base of support among our natural constituency, namely, Chnstians. We will do this primarily through apologetics seminars. We intend these to encourage and equip believers with new scientific evidence’s that support the faith, as well as to “popularize” our ideas in the broader culture.”
You can see that ID is just a bald faced attempt to Christianize American culture starting with the small step of challenging common descent with the totally bogus alternate ’scientific’ theory called ID.
Another stork baby?
There are many scientist that believe in God or some kind of higher power. They may also believe that that entity could have had a hand in the formation of the cosmos. But I bet a million dollars there are only a small handfull of those scientist that want ID taught in the classroom.The fact is…ID is NOT science. It is a philosophy or a belief.
C’mon Rhonda, you’re so smart and can tell everyone else how to do their jobs….if schoolchildren should learn competing theories “somewhere,” which class?Math? C’mon, these kids are lucky if they get algebra. Religion? Oh, that’s right, can’t have a religion class in public schools. PE? Now THERE’s an idea!
There is a fundamental problem with the public perception of just what a “theory” is. Many people equate it with just a guess; no, it is much more than that in science. A theory is a carefully examined and documented explanation of observed phenomena. For example, we have the theory of gravity to explain the attraction of bodies one to the other. The mathematics and observations have been studied in detail. The theory can be (and has been) tested and is useful for predicting everything from the orbits of planets to structural requirements for man-made structures.
Similarly, evolution has been studied in detail for some time. The fossil record is replete with examples of pre-cursor species to those we see today. As we go through that record in deep time (billions of years) the progression of life forms can readily be seen.
Obviously, the study of evolution is not complete; neither is the study of gravity. However, just as we don’t replace gravity with “intelligent falling” so we should not replace evolution with something similar.
Cosmologist Steven Hawkins put it well. The “how” is the study of science. “Why” is the subject of philosophy and religion. Teach “intelligent design” and the other cultural creation stories in those latter classes.
Religion is a faith, not a fact. It requires a suspension of disbelief.
Tiahrt has thrown his support to those monkeys on the Kansas State School Board who can’t tell the difference between science and mythology. “Mainstream science?” Tiahrt said. No mainstream scientist is proposing ID in the schools. Tiahrt knows as much about science as he does about politics. The only thing he really knows about is campaign financing loopholes. He’s made himself rich off that office while pandering the Christian fundamentalist right.
writerdog said:
“Three: The Doctors and professors that support I.D. have their degrees in Math, theology and media.”
FYI: It’s a little more diverse than you think:
http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=research&action=index&page=research_biosci
http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=research&action=index&page=research_physci
http://www.icr.org/index.php?module=discover&action=index&page=discover_faculty
These blogs are just too easy.
Of course Tiahrt is for Idiot Design. He’s an idiot.
Next question.
I checked those sites listed by NoJoCo and they are all from a Creationist Science web page. No hidden agenda? Show us some “mainstream scientist” who favor this.
Otto…Who is going to list the names and credentials of scientists who support ID other than a Creation Science or ID web site?
Otto, If you had read the post by writerdog, he/she said that all of the ID/Creation scientists have their degrees in Math, theology and media. Check out the degrees of the scientists on the links again.
You IDers love to portray IDs lack of scientific acceptance as some sort of atheist plot to take over the world and discredit religion. It couldn’t be that ID has nothing to offer in understanding how the universe works?
Todd Tiahrt is proof that both evolution and creationism are all wrong! Todd has his nose so far up George Bush’s butt side its just not natural!
Todd is the first one to give Kansas jobs to China and Mexico.We all are being aborted from the American dream by these crooks in office!
Tiahrt’s an idiot who has kicked every Dem’s butt who has ever taken him on. So what does that make you guys, exactly? Brain dead or just incompetent?
It means Joe that Tiehart smiles in your face and tells you what you want to hear. He missed his true calling, T.V. evangelist! More money and if you are back into the corner. Just say that, “The forces of the Devil are attacking the true servant of the Lord!”. Being a Neo-con, he can not say that he is being attacked for any other reaon that he is wrong.
Tiahrt is nothing more than a right-wing yes boy. He has no thoughts or ideas of his own. He does exactly what his masters tell him to do. His only value to the GOP is as a constant yes vote on all matters GOP, regardless if they are morally right or not. Here is how to figure out what Toad will do. If it might upset his GOP masters then he will not do it. If it might upset his financial masters then he will not do it. If he will upset his constituents then so be it as long as he doesn’t risk violating one of the previous rules. With enough money it is possible to cover up almost anything. It is only because of corporate money, voter laziness, and the GOPs need of a yes boy that he is still in Washington.
Take a look at Toad’s (love that name, k!) eyes. They shout ‘evil.’ Sorry, but the guy has always given me the creeps.
You can’t beat him…once again, that make you brain dead or just incompetent? Which?
What does beating anyone have to do with this Joe? You can’t beat anyone above a 2nd grade education in a battle of wits. Perhaps you could make a point with your posts.
Yes, Joe Blow ,Tiahrt always wins. That only proves you really can fool most of the people most of the time. Even if the Democrats aren’t that smart, they can’t be as ignorant and corrupt as Tiahrt. It doesn’t take a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing and it doesn’t take a genius to see that Tiahrt is an idiot.
So, Toadie is a whore. I should have known it when he decided to shave his moustache.
Joe Blow, You guys keep electing him. Does that make you brain dead or incompetent? Which?
My point is, you say Tiahrt’s an idiot, he’s a crook, yet you guys can’t beat him on your best day. You’re a joke.
My point is that Kansas republicans would vote for Charles Manson for any office if he was on the ballot and had (R) beside his name. The joke is actually on you.
No Blow hard, Kansas republikans are the joke. This guy doesn’t give a rats ass about anyone but himself, his corporate contributors, and the fellow republikans. YOU DON’T MATTER TO TIAHRT! And you can’t face the rejection so you keep voting for him.
Tiahrt is far greater embarrassment to Kansas than the state school board. One can argue that the current board got elected by accident, and will be duly removed in the next election.
Yet the good citizens of the 4th district re-elected that re-elected that empty suit 5 times. And believe me, he IS a moron. I’ve met him.
I can remember after the OC bombing Tiahrt rather than condemn the bombing was more afraid that it would make the “Milita groups look bad” I also remember Tiahrt touting the creation of thousands of new jobs with his tanker lease scam that has since sent several boeing exes to prison, and that 3 years ago. where are the jobs? Then there’s Todd’s parenting skills I would imagine if he was a more caring attentive parent he would’nt have found his son hanging from the rafters.
Pancho..Keep your imagination to yourself if you are going to be a heartless moron.