Creationism Bill Dies in Alabama
Alabama's House Bill 258 , which would have allowed teachers to present "the theory of creation as presented in the Bible" in any class discussing evolution, "thereby affording students a choice as to which theory to accept," died in committee on March 29, 2018, when the legislature adjourned sine die.
Just a follow up to an earlier seed and discussion about this bill, which can be found here.
Sanity seems to have prevailed for the time being.
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No Roy Moore in the Senate, and no creationism in science classrooms. Alabama is on a roll.
Not to mention no more disregard for Federal court rulings or for the separation of church and state. All very good things.
At least until the next time. And with some of these Southern States, there always seems to be a next time.
I never realized scientific theories were based on a popularity contest. I wonder if Alabama students would also be allowed to choose to accept 2+2 = 4? >sarc<
This bill was apparently based on an existing Kentucky law, if you can believe that. Kentucky is also the home of Ken Ham's Creation "Museum" and Ark Experience.
Kentucky has truly been touched by His noodly appendage, it would seem.
Kentucky? Yes, I can believe that.
There may be hope for us yet.
The fact that some people abandon all logic and reasoning and still seriously subscribe to creationism in this day and age makes me wary about that. But at least this is a positive step.
It does not bother me a wit if one opts to believe such things, but when you foster religious notions into the public educational system you do the students a great disservice.
Agreed. But then, fostering such ridiculous religious notions on a child anytime or anywhere does them a disservice. Children are done a service by teaching them to think critically, logically, and rationally.
Gordy,
Realistically, you can't stop religious beliefs, so you just have to take that as a given and respect their right to hold them. On the other hand, the public school is meant to teach critical thinking skills, and creationism has no place in that environment. As a science teacher, who taught in the public schools, I can tell you that this is no easy task, when you have children of faith in your class. Walking the line of respecting their beliefs while doing my job, was no easy task.
I never said I could stop them. Only that is has no place in a public school. And religious belief or dogma, especially when held over critical thinking, does not do a student any service.
Absolutely agreed.
I applaud and salute you as a teacher (teachers do not get the respect and recognition they deserve), but I do not envy you.
Next they'll be offering classes in "Modern southern fairy mythology".
An understatement. This is an example of why some of us continue to encourage critical thinking - especially with challenges to blind acceptance of unsubstantiated claims (of the grandest order) by fellow human beings.