f The Wittenberg Door: February 2009

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Commenting on Christendom, culture, history, and other oddities of life from an historic Protestant perspective.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Through the Looking Glass: Teaching Evolution

From the Dallas Morning News: 95% of Professors Back Teaching Only Evolution in Texas Schools . . .

AUSTIN – An overwhelming majority of science professors at Texas' public and private universities say they're against a state policy requiring that weaknesses in the theory of evolution be covered in public school science classes, according to a new study released Monday . . .

”Many of these science faculty members help determine who gets into our state colleges and universities," said the study's author, Raymond A. Eve. "Their responses should send parents a clear message that those who want to play politics with science education are putting our kids at risk."

Most study respondents said they believe any focus on the weaknesses of evolution theory and on alternative theories would harm students' college readiness and their ability to compete for jobs . . .

"This survey leaves no doubt that the political crusade against evolution and other attempts to dumb down our public school science curriculum are deeply misguided," Ms. Miller said.

Just to be sure that I'm clear: If our schools provide both sides of this scientific theory (i.e., its strengths and weaknesses), so that students can deliberate, investigate, and draw well-informed conclusions, our kids will have their "college readiness" harmed and be less able "to compete for jobs." Moreover, revealing Macro-Evolution's problems "would harm students."

Conversely, if we teach this theory as fact and hide its weaknesses from them, not only will we not be "dumb[ing] down" nor "play[ing] politics with science education," but we'll be putting children on a fast-track to educational and economic success.

"No need to think, little ones; that's all been done for you."

Welcome to academia.