Assault of the irrational: Texas and teaching the "controversy"

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

Texas Public Schools: Still Teaching Creationism
"In Texas public schools, children learn that the Bible provides scientific proof that Earth is 6,000 years old, that the origins of racial diversity trace back to a curse placed on Noah's son, and that astronauts have discovered "a day missing in space" that corroborates biblical stories of the sun standing still."

Thus foundeth Reading, Writing & Religion II, a report by the Texas Freedom Network. Apparently, many Texan pupils are being taught the myths of Creationism, including Young Earth creationism (i.e. the world is 6000 years old, etc).

Of course, first reaction to this is: "Well, this is Texas after all. Does any of this surprise you at all?" Now, to be clear: there are lots of good, honest, decent, reasonable people in Texas. Lots of them. Meanwhile, there are quite a few who are ignorant, dogmatic and close-minded as well - just like in any other place. I'm not going to delve into speculations about how prevalent one or the other are. That said, I guess each of us could figure out for themselves which of the two segments is practically running the place right now, no? I'm willing to bet the Bible literalists actually constitute a not-so-significant portion of the entire population, but just as it seems to have happened on Capitol Hill, society at large has somehow allowed a very vocal, very well-organized and very determined fringe group to hijack the discourse, and exert disproportionate influence on the entire process of shaping the future generations. Which is kind of unfortunate, because it creates a generation of scientifically illiterate people who then become tomorrow's hamburger flippers, a human mass that's easy to govern and be lead by the nose. To deliberately deform entire segments of the population in such a way and severely cripple their career and life opportunities, is basically a form of child abuse in my book, sorry for the hysterically sounding hyperbole.

Sure, I know what some proponents of the Ultimate Free Speech(TM) would argue: "teaching the controversy" can never be a bad thing, there are all sorts of theories being taught, and various points of view being presented, instead of just some points of view. As a politician from another country said during a debate, "Obviously, various people have come to various conclusions". And, since the US (Texas in particular) is predominantly a Christian society, teaching Christian "theory" is probably as relevant to the education process as it could possibly be. Sounds innocent enough a reason when presented that way, doesn't it?

Except, any rational person with at least a relatively decent grasp of the concepts of science would've begun to realize by now that the notion that Creationism being put at equal footing with actual scientific hypotheses and/or theories, is, to put it mildly, preposterous. Science just does not work that way. Take Evolution for example, which is Creationism's main target rival. It's a scientific theory based on easily testable facts, it steps upon vast amounts of meticulous and methodological research. Are there certain gaps here and there, and areas that require further investigation? Of course! There better be - that would potentially open new alleys for furthering a deeper understanding of the phenomena. But does, or should that have anything to do with personal belief? Not really. Evidence either supports a hypothesis, or it doesn't. And that should be the primary criterion for discerning legitimate science from pseudo-science.

Somehow, religious conservatives and Bible-thumpers have allowed themselves to dwell in the delusion that there's any kind of intellectual parity between well-developed scientific theories, supported by decades, if not centuries of research and being continuously tested through rigorous exploration of enormous quantities of evidence - and the fantasmagorical mind-creations of some primitive folks who happened to write a bunch of dogma-infused stories at a time when people genuinely tended to believe that disease is a manifestation of evil spirits. Well, nope. Such parity simply does not exist.

In contrast, Creationism is a construct developed by members of a particular faith in order to push their religious convictions forward, and perpetuate their particular dogmatic doctrine. What's more, this is now happening in secular, public schools. It's a religious ad-hoc mishmash that's being masqueraded as "science" to bypass the "separation of church and state" principle that's so inherent to secular societies. The result: creating the basis for the coercive indoctrination of children into a particular arbitrarily- and narrowly-defined faith.

If extremist conservatives like these really cared about the Constitution, they'd be the first to protest against this elaborate undermining of the church-state separation principle. Now people's tax money practically being wasted in support of a particular religious view, in the course of a publicly funded and government-endorsed institution.

As for the freedom of speech and the freedom of the states, I'm fully aware of the individualism and ultimate freedom adage that's being so deeply carved at the back of the skull of American society, to a point where grotesque extremities like this one would tend to be viewed as "just another expression of freedom". And, given that it's an Independent School District that we're talking about here, I'm sure they've formulated the whole thing in a way to render it entirely legal to pursue this sort of policy - no problem about that really.

And I expect Texans are feeling very strongly about their right to believe in whatever irrational nonsense they deem appropriate. "It's a free country", after all. I just hope this education system would allow non-Christian pupils to have the option of non-participation in this farce - possibly, again, using the reasoning that it's contrary to their religious beliefs (or lack thereof), to their intellectual standards, or their proneness to tacitly condoning indoctrination.

I know. One might argue that this is Texas after all, it's the Texans' problem and none of anyone else's concern. But the fact is, Texas doesn't just exist in an island parallel universe of its own without affecting anybody else or being affected by anyone - no matter how desperately some people there might like to continue clinging to that notion.

Comments

[mahnmut.livejournal.com]

The dumber the populace, the more hilarity for the outside observers. That's what my reaction to seeing this kind of stuff has boiled down to in recent times, basically. After all, if it's true that a nation deserves exactly the rulers it gets, then a populace deserves exactly the level of stupidity it has, since it's the populace itself that imposes said level upon itself (or tolerates that level of stupidity with its inaction). So in a nutshell, stay classy Texas, I guess.

[fizzyland.livejournal.com]

I don't think we should just abandon large segments of a population just because a relative handful of irrational extremists manage to get on school boards or elected Governor.

[brother-dour.livejournal.com]

I can tell you one thing about Texas: the sheeple like being sheeple. Hell, Texans fight to remain sheeple

[fizzyland.livejournal.com]

Creationism isn't science and certainly doesn't have factual evidence to back their claims. This is pure religious indoctrination. Texans deserve better and so do Americans elsewhere.

Do countries like Norway have to deal with crap like this? I doubt that bullshit like "Creation Science" is taught in Israel.

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

Do countries like Norway have to deal with crap like this?

But, but, SOCIALISM!!11!

[luvdovz.livejournal.com]

Yay, and no one has used Sweden as a strawman yet! Hoorah.

[luzribeiro.livejournal.com]

I just don't get it. How can an otherwise moderately intelligent and educated person who has all the information tools of modernity at their disposal, still insistently wave their "right to believe" around as if it were some magic armory that immunizes them against being called out on their stubborn stupidity - the right to believe that the Earth is 6,000 years old and was created in less than a week.

Sure, they cite their "freedom of faith" like a mantra, I get that. But still: "Obviously, various people have come to various conclusions". Except this is not, "Is cocoa candy or fruit candy more tasty" that we're "having an opinion" about, or "coming to conclusion" on. And that guy is an actual politician, participating in legislative activity that potentially reflects on the life of millions of people. Dumbhead.

It's occasions like these when I'm starting to feel I'd rather tolerate mandatory qualification standards for occupying public office and even voting.

[gunslnger.livejournal.com]

I just don't get it. How can an otherwise moderately intelligent and educated person who has all the information tools of modernity at their disposal, still insistently wave their "right to believe" around as if it were some magic armory that immunizes them against being called out on their stubborn stupidity - the right to believe that we could have utopian prosperity if we got rid of private businesses and had the government run everything.

You can have your mandatory standards if I can have mine too.

[brother-dour.livejournal.com]

I'm still trying to figure out how teaching Creationism in public schools does not violate the separation of church and state

[htpcl.livejournal.com]

Dear Texans, I have a question for ya. If the Controversy(TM) is to be taught, then why not teach reincarnation and the cycle of yugas as well? Why not the orbiting teapot and the flying spaghetti monster? See, it's already got some followers (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-14135523)!

Even for a Balkanite, all of this is fuckin incomprehensible. Which century are we living in, again?

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

Oh, they can study religion in the theology class all they want (if they want to). But putting it on equal footing with any science? That's bullshit.

[vitsli.livejournal.com]

>>why not teach reincarnation and the cycle of yugas as well?

Why indeed? (http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/ED/htm/ED.28.htm)

(i) This section does not prohibit the board of trustees of a school district from offering an elective course based on the books of a religion other than Christianity. In determining whether to offer such a course, the board may consider various factors, including student and parent demand for such a course and the impact such books have had on history and culture.

(j) This section does not prohibit a school district from offering a course, other than the course authorized by this section, in the academic study of the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament, or both for local credit or for state elective credit towards high school graduation.

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I can't understand how people don't understand how fun-exploitable this area is.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

And the Invisible Pink Unicorn. Everyone forgets her since usenet was abandoned.

[rick-day.livejournal.com]

Aww give them a modicum of credit. The Church of SubGenius was formed in Dallas, TX in the late 1970's. I've been in the original church (for a drunken party but it was the '70s etc etc).

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

The work these people do is critical: http://www.tfn.org/



the origins of racial diversity trace back to a curse placed on Noah's son

I know a kid who got beat up in his childhood by bullies citing that very racist prejudice.

"I will discuss it with you but I will not compromise my faith or question my beliefs" - my sister when I protested the YEC she teaches in her sunday school. Its so sad. I love my sister and I find it very difficult to hurt her in any way. But she is part of a cult that indoctrinates children and she takes so much pride in it. Teaching kids heaven and hell are real and that the ONLY way to heaven is through Jesus and all those other kids in muslim countries burn in hell. I weep.

On the other hand, she was on the ground in Haiti. I didn't do shit but she risked her ass to help.

[vitsli.livejournal.com]

I can understand (though not share) your concerns on the fact that someone somewhere teaches a theory you think is wrong, and you sincerely wish those kids to learn something more, in your opinion, useful.
The "coercive indoctrination" concern is also well understood.

I don't really get the conclusion though. The freedoms you've mentioned is not the problem, but exactly the solution. I believe that If there were no "problems" with indoctrination or Bible studies, Christians-in-power would have never used legislative power to enforce those studies.
Hence a strong case against a state involvement in education, because a state-provided curriculum always reflects the _beliefs_ of those in power. Replace all the words "Creationism" in your post with "Human Caused Global Warming", or any other highly-speculative subject - both point and arguments remain the same.

As for me personally, I assume myself fully responsible for my children, including their curriculum. If I like science more than Bible studies (which I do, very much), I may try to persuade other parents to follow that way, I may speak at a school to promote scientific approach and critical thinking, but I'd never force other parents to do as I think is right. I just don't see any reason to do so. If they think that subject A is better than B - ok, let's see who's right in a decade or two.

By the way, nobody says Bible studies shall be IN SUPPORT of those views. This can be an excellent subject to exercise critical thinking, with a proper approach. It's just a side remark, neither pro nor contra those studies.

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

a theory you think is wrong,

Its not even "a theory" and we've proved it wrong. Anyone paying honestly attention can easily find this out.

in your opinion,

Not really an opinion. We've proven the earth is four and a half billion years old (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Age_of_the_Earth). Believing the earth is 6,000 years old is similar scale of error to believing the Width of North America is eight yards.


Human Caused Global Warming", or any other highly-speculative subject

Hehehehe, nice try.


If they think that subject A is better than B - ok, let's see who's right in a decade or two.

Sure, what's wrong with training people that prayer cures diseases? Perhaps your doctor will believe in the stork theory of childbirth or deny germ theory in favour of exorcisms!

[ddstory.livejournal.com]

a theory you think is wrong

There's a difference between thinking something being wrong -and- something lacking all the basic tenets of being science, but posing as science at the same time, being labeled science, and being paraded and treated as if it were actual science.

Like I said, these kids can learn everything about all religions if they like - just do not teach it in science classes. They can use their theology classes to discuss religious faiths from around the world and exercise their critical thinking - but in fact both you and I know that neither are kids in Texas learning about other faiths in these classes, nor are they being particularly encouraged to exercise their critical thinking there. All the dancing around terms like "freedom" and "liberty" cannot conceal this fact. In fact the implicit use of the "you either allow Creationism in science classes at public schools or you hate Freedom" argument is a false dichotomy of the highest order of fallacy.

My opinion is irrelevant here. Do not presume that this has anything to do with this person's or that person's opinion. Using tax-payer money for compulsory religious indoctrination runs counter to all principles of secularism, it distorts the approach to science, and it creates a counter-productive trend throughout vast segments of a society that is already seriously lagging behind its counterparts in the so-called "developed" world.

[fizzyland.livejournal.com]

“Anti-intellectualism has been a constant thread winding its way through our political and cultural life, nurtured by the false notion that democracy means that 'my ignorance is just as good as your knowledge.'” - Isaac Asimov

[oportet.livejournal.com]

On one hand, I think we should hold off on teaching kids the origins of man and the universe - kids these days (always wondered when I'd start making a point with those words) can't hold eye contact, can't carry a conversation, can't do basic math. You don't teach a dog to crochet before you teach it not to shit in your shoes.

On the other hand, ignorance is hard to shake...

When I was a kid, an older cousin of mine told me that if you have to go to the bathroom, but hold it in - it stays in you forever.

As crazy, stupid, and absolutely incorrect as that is - guess what pops into my head everytime I have to go, twenty-five years later....

So I see your point - faulty information in a young mind can be dangerous...

If fixing a small part of the problem means we can move on to fixing another part - I'm all for it happening. The sooner the better.

[anfalicious.livejournal.com]

Must be your education system, kids I teach are far more confident than my generation and the maths I did in yr 12 is now done in yr 10.

[devil-ad-vocate.livejournal.com]

Texas state education policy requires students to "analyze, evaluate, and critique" the scientific basis for evolution. Although creationism is not included in the state-approved curriculum, that's not to say that some teachers couldn't slip it into a class discussion and get away with it. I went to public schools in Texas, as did my children and two of my grandchildren. None of us received any kind of religious indoctrination.

[mikeyxw.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I'm a Texas public school graduate and I can tell you that not only was evolution taught in my high school biology class, it was made very clear by the teacher that creationism had no place in a science class. It's also worth noting that the report that was listed covered Biblical History courses, not science courses, which could explain why stuff from the Bible was being taught in the classroom.

The following (http://firstread.nbcnews.com/_news/2011/08/18/7410377-fact-check-does-texas-teach-creationism-in-public-schools-is-it-constitutional?lite) gives a pretty good summary of the subject AFIK:

So is creationism actually taught in Texas public schools? And is it constitutional?

Clay Robison, a spokesman for the Texas State Teachers Association, the state’s teachers’ union, says, “It is not part of the recognized official state curriculum.” but “...I can’t say that some teacher someplace” that isn’t widely known about, isn’t teaching it.

[peristaltor.livejournal.com]

Remember, this is the country that hosted the Scopes trial. And Scopes—the guy that taught Natural Selection in his high school class against the wishes of the State of Kentucky—lost.

Worse, instead of overturning the decision on appeal, the higher court simply dismissed it because the first court imposed too high a fine. That meant that the entire fiasco was judged null and void. Which meant that nobody challenged the Kentucky law again. Which meant that no Supreme Court decision established rules deciding which bullshit can and cannot be taught.

Here's a thought: Most of Europe suffered religious wars in their history. The US, by contrast, allowed any religion to be practiced (in principal, if not in practice), and had no state religion. That was pretty revolutionary at the time.

Could it be that we never learned the lesson of what happens when one religion pits itself against another and destroys the country in the process, whereas you Europeans, well, have?

Another thought: Tolerance of atheism is growing as church attendance drops. Most of the weird-ass religious posturing may well be born of a desperation felt by clergy who see their congregations (and collection plate droppings) dwindle.

[anfalicious.livejournal.com]

I think there's definitely something in the last point, especially with the rise of the mega church. More and more congregation are going to fewer and fewer churches. The traditional, more stable churches are suffering.

[brother-dour.livejournal.com]

Is this a recent(Ish) thing? I do not remember Creationism being taught when I was in (public) school. And I distinctly remember evolution being taught in junior high and high school...

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

"Creationists' Last Stand at the State Board of Education (http://www.dallasobserver.com/2013-11-14/news/creationists-last-stand-at-the-state-board-of-education/full/)"

"Creationists on Texas Panel for Biology Textbooks (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/29/education/creationists-on-texas-panel-for-biology-textbooks.html?ref=education&_r=0)"

"Evolution May Be Questioned In New Texas Textbooks (http://tpr.org/post/evolution-may-be-questioned-new-texas-textbooks)"


See also: The Revisionaries (http://www.therevisionariesmovie.com/)

now yer talking!

[rick-day.livejournal.com]

God, Science, Texas and Children. Now THAT is fodder for a political post!

Yes I graduated from Texas public school back in the last century. No, I do not remember much about religion except the morning scratchy playing of a record with some tenor crooning "the Lords Prayer". In high school it started getting 'hip to be a Jesus freak' with the emergence of Young Life™. It was a time of space rockets and moon walks so from what i remember everything stayed on topic.

So where did this all originate? His name starts with a B and ends in an H.

Loading the Texas Education Agency with fundie cronies at the end of the century were the seeds of this bitter fruit. This was political payback for the evangel's support of Bush for Gov, which propelled him into the POTUSship.

Still with me? Sounds grim, from your post. Except, it is not quite reality.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/10/20/1248994/-Texas-Textbook-Publishers-Say-No-To-Creationism

allow me to quote: "earlier this year several of the state’s textbook reviewers called for biology textbooks to discuss creationism, publishers are not complying with those requests, according to the Texas Freedom Network. The nonpartisan watchdog examined material made public by the Texas Education Agency and found that publishers are sticking with teaching evolution.

Citizens who serve on the Texas review panels are charged with making suggestions about proposed classroom texts that are being considered for the state's list of “approved” schoolbooks. While most reviewers on this year’s biology panel made routine, noncontroversial suggestions, some took issue with the fact that the proposed books did not include information about creationism while focusing on evolution.

However, information that publishers submitted to the Texas Education Agency show they are not incorporating the suggestions about "creation science" and plan to print books free of references to the theory of intelligent design."

Are things bad in Texas and run by superstitious yahoos? Oh most definitely! Are we raising another generation of Jesus Junkies? In public school, not so much.

Plus, there is a new god in town for the kids and it's name is Internet

Under the weight of rationalism, even in Texas they crack. In the end, they always crack.

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

Are we raising another generation of Jesus Junkies? In public school, not so much.

Consider:



"Creationists' Last Stand at the State Board of Education (http://www.dallasobserver.com/2013-11-14/news/creationists-last-stand-at-the-state-board-of-education/full/)"

"Creationists on Texas Panel for Biology Textbooks (http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/29/education/creationists-on-texas-panel-for-biology-textbooks.html?ref=education&_r=0)"

"Evolution May Be Questioned In New Texas Textbooks (http://tpr.org/post/evolution-may-be-questioned-new-texas-textbooks)"

Now, those textbooks get used in other states too.

[yes-justice.livejournal.com]

My morning TV news: "The texas school board is in the spotlight for approving a science textbook that contain 20 factual errors about evolution."

That was entirety of the story.

curious...

[rick-day.livejournal.com]

Do you think these books should be burned or banned due to their content?