dudeone Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Tenn. governor 'probably' will sign evolution bill By LUCAS L. JOHNSON II | Associated Press – Tue, Apr 3, 2012 http://news.yahoo.com/tenn-governor-probably-sign-evolution-bill-205851280.html NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee, where the nation's first big legal battle over evolution was fought nearly 90 years ago, is close to enacting a law that critics deride as the "monkey bill" for once again attacking the scientific theory. The measure passed by the Tennessee General Assembly would protect teachers who allow students to criticize evolution and other scientific theories, such as global warming. Republican Gov. Bill Haslam said this week he would likely sign it into law. Haslam said the State Board of Education has told him the measure won't affect the state's current scientific curriculum for primary, middle or high school students. Louisiana enacted a similar law in 2008. "I think the one thing about that bill is this: Nothing about the curriculum of the state of Tennessee will change, and the scientific standards won't change," he said. "So I think some of the discussion about its impact has probably been overblown." The bill says it would encourage critical thinking by protecting teachers from discipline if they help students critique "scientific weaknesses." Scientists in Tennessee and the American Association for the Advancement of Science are asking Haslam to veto the bill, saying that evolution is established science that shouldn't be taught as a controversy. "The Tennessee legislature is doing the unbelievable: attempting to roll the clock back to 1925 by attempting to insert religious beliefs in the teaching of science," three Tennessee scientists wrote in an op-ed column in The Tennessean. The three writers hold doctorate degrees and are members of the National Academy of Sciences: Roger D. Cone and Jon Kaas of Vanderbilt University and Robert G. Webster of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. They argue that the law is unnecessary and likely to provide expensive legal fights and hurt the economy in Tennessee, which is home to Oak Ridge National Laboratory. The Tennessee Education Association called the bill a distraction from the most pressing education issues in the state. "I think at a time when we're trying to put a focus on science, math, education; to pass something like this really sends a signal that the state is going backward instead of forward," TEA lobbyist Jerry Winters said. " ... They're avoiding the real problems in education by dealing with some of these emotional hot-button issues." The state held the famous Scopes "monkey trial" in 1925 in Dayton, Tenn., and opponents of the legislation say evolution is still under attack in 2012. School teacher John Scopes was convicted of violating state statute by teaching evolution in biology class and fined him $100. The Tennessee Supreme Court overturned it on a technicality a year later. In 1967, Tennessee's anti-evolution law was revoked. Some believe the bill could open the door for religious teaching in the classroom. The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee asked the governor to veto it. State ACLU executive director Hedy Weinberg said allowing students to critique "scientific weaknesses" is language frequently used by those seeking to introduce non-scientific ideas like creationism and intelligent design into science curriculum. "No one doubts the value of critical thinking to any serious course of scientific study, but this legislation is not truly aimed at developing students' critical thinking skills," she wrote. House sponsor Bill Dunn, a Knoxville Republican, said the proposal states that it is "not ... construed to promote religion." "What the bill says is that as long as you stick to objective scientific facts, then you can bring that into play," the Knoxville Republican said. "So if students start asking questions or if there's debate on it, it's not a one-sided debate. But it is a fair debate, in that it's objective scientific facts that are brought forward." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g_bassi13 Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stefan Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 I'm glad I'm a pastafarian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satan's Evil Twin Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Just another day in Jesusland. At least they're taking a break from attacking women's rights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacdeesSnipinGs Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Dis is Merica...Land of da free and home of da brave! I dont know alot about much, but i do know one thang..I didn't come from no Monkay! Hail babay jesus and dont question his authroitay....what's more plausible....Bearded man creating world in 7 days, orrrrr science...pffff, lets get reel. I would continue to prove my point but jeff gordon, is down at the Home De-pot, signing his Jhon Hancock. Obama is a muslim, educated elitist who is probally a terrorist. Vote Rick Santorum/Jesus/ sweatervest 2012.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heretic Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 Just another day in Jesusland. At least they're taking a break from attacking women's rights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Satan's Evil Twin Posted April 5, 2012 Share Posted April 5, 2012 This post is no different than those that claim to follow Christianity and hold up those "God hates ____" signs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buggernut Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Meanwhile, I'm sure the Nashville Predators board is buzzing with talk about Christy Clark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xWCMx Posted April 6, 2012 Share Posted April 6, 2012 Am I missing something here? It says in the article that the curriculum would not be changed in any way shape or form, and the same things would be taught. The only difference is, if a student in science class brought up creationism or tried to debunk global warming, the teacher could face disciplinary action if he or she encourages it in any way. If passed, this would not be the case. If anything, this bill would promote freedom of speech, would it not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buddhas Hand Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Just another day in Jesusland. At least they're taking a break from attacking women's rights. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucklehead Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Am I missing something here? It says in the article that the curriculum would not be changed in any way shape or form, and the same things would be taught. The only difference is, if a student in science class brought up creationism or tried to debunk global warming, the teacher could face disciplinary action if he or she encourages it in any way. If passed, this would not be the case. If anything, this bill would promote freedom of speech, would it not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g_bassi13 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 Am I missing something here? It says in the article that the curriculum would not be changed in any way shape or form, and the same things would be taught. The only difference is, if a student in science class brought up creationism or tried to debunk global warming, the teacher could face disciplinary action if he or she encourages it in any way. If passed, this would not be the case. If anything, this bill would promote freedom of speech, would it not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugemanskost Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 I teach Grade 9 Science in Small Town, BC. Reproduction is the Biology topic at this level... Sexual / Asexual Reproduction, Mitosis, Meiosis, the Cell Cycle. Every semester, the topic of Evolution vs. Creation comes up in my class. I have to explain to the kids that, regardless of my personal views and values, I am teaching Evolution as a "theory" only ( ) and if Creation is raised as an alternate theory, our class will discuss it as such. I then explain that our Government requires us to teach the "Theory of Evolution" and that this is what we will discuss from here on in. I have never had a student refuse to study Evolution as a "theory". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyJoeJoeJr. Shabadoo Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 I teach Grade 9 Science in Small Town, BC. Reproduction is the Biology topic at this level... Sexual / Asexual Reproduction, Mitosis, Meiosis, the Cell Cycle. Every semester, the topic of Evolution vs. Creation comes up in my class. I have to explain to the kids that, regardless of my personal views and values, I am teaching Evolution as a "theory" only ( ) and if Creation is raised as an alternate theory, our class will discuss it as such. I then explain that our Government requires us to teach the "Theory of Evolution" and that this is what we will discuss from here on in. I have never had a student refuse to study Evolution as a "theory". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VICanucksfan5551 Posted April 7, 2012 Share Posted April 7, 2012 I teach Grade 9 Science in Small Town, BC. Reproduction is the Biology topic at this level... Sexual / Asexual Reproduction, Mitosis, Meiosis, the Cell Cycle. Every semester, the topic of Evolution vs. Creation comes up in my class. I have to explain to the kids that, regardless of my personal views and values, I am teaching Evolution as a "theory" only ( ) and if Creation is raised as an alternate theory, our class will discuss it as such. I then explain that our Government requires us to teach the "Theory of Evolution" and that this is what we will discuss from here on in. I have never had a student refuse to study Evolution as a "theory". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Columbo Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Do you teach gravity as a "theory" only? How about germ "theory"? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyJoeJoeJr. Shabadoo Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 I teach Grade 9 Science in Small Town, BC. Reproduction is the Biology topic at this level... Sexual / Asexual Reproduction, Mitosis, Meiosis, the Cell Cycle. Every semester, the topic of Evolution vs. Creation comes up in my class. I have to explain to the kids that, regardless of my personal views and values, I am teaching Evolution as a "theory" only ( ) and if Creation is raised as an alternate theory, our class will discuss it as such. I then explain that our Government requires us to teach the "Theory of Evolution" and that this is what we will discuss from here on in. I have never had a student refuse to study Evolution as a "theory". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VICanucksfan5551 Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Actually gravity is a very interesting subject to discuss as a theory. Or better yet, theories. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Situation Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 I teach Grade 9 Science in Small Town, BC. Reproduction is the Biology topic at this level... Sexual / Asexual Reproduction, Mitosis, Meiosis, the Cell Cycle. Every semester, the topic of Evolution vs. Creation comes up in my class. I have to explain to the kids that, regardless of my personal views and values, I am teaching Evolution as a "theory" only ( ) and if Creation is raised as an alternate theory, our class will discuss it as such. I then explain that our Government requires us to teach the "Theory of Evolution" and that this is what we will discuss from here on in. I have never had a student refuse to study Evolution as a "theory". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ghostsof1915 Posted April 8, 2012 Share Posted April 8, 2012 Maybe if we teach kids string theory they will be engineers and scientists. That is if we can get teachers to understand it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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