other side of the coin
http://www.cnn.com/2005/EDUCATION/01/19/evolution.debate.ap/index.html
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1019856,00.html
I've read several things about "intelligent design" being discussed in school. Not only that but there have been statements by school officials declaring that evolution is not fact but theory. Its an interesting subject with implications on both sides. As it stands right now, "the theory of intelligent design (ID) holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause rather than an undirected process such as natural selection. "(http://www.intelligentdesignnetwork.org/) Who or what that cause is isn't discussed at the moment. However, creationists attribute that "intelligent cause" to be God. So you can see why secularists claim that the use of ID is just a smoke screen to introduce religion into the classroom.
I've always believed that macro-evolution has unquestionable holes in it...I don't need to discuss what they are at this time but I've also maintained that micro-evolution isn't debatable. Often times when evolution is mentioned, people are talking about macro and micro gets lost in the debate. However, I do think it is about time that we have open dialogue within the curriculum of science of, at least, another possibility. Should schools stop teaching evolution? Not at all but to do so within the frame of reference that it isn't as absolute as it is made out to be. Should we use this topic of ID as a crusade to invade the schools with religious dogma? I don't think so...but what is important is for schools to not longer fear presenting the other side of the story and for administrations to back them up. I truly believe you can teach ID on scientific merits alone without invoking spirituality. Hopefully, this will continue to go in a direction that will open things up for further discussion outside of the classroom...to provoke inquiries from students concerning the range of things they are taught...
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1019856,00.html
I've read several things about "intelligent design" being discussed in school. Not only that but there have been statements by school officials declaring that evolution is not fact but theory. Its an interesting subject with implications on both sides. As it stands right now, "the theory of intelligent design (ID) holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause rather than an undirected process such as natural selection. "(http://www.intelligentdesignnetwork.org/) Who or what that cause is isn't discussed at the moment. However, creationists attribute that "intelligent cause" to be God. So you can see why secularists claim that the use of ID is just a smoke screen to introduce religion into the classroom.
I've always believed that macro-evolution has unquestionable holes in it...I don't need to discuss what they are at this time but I've also maintained that micro-evolution isn't debatable. Often times when evolution is mentioned, people are talking about macro and micro gets lost in the debate. However, I do think it is about time that we have open dialogue within the curriculum of science of, at least, another possibility. Should schools stop teaching evolution? Not at all but to do so within the frame of reference that it isn't as absolute as it is made out to be. Should we use this topic of ID as a crusade to invade the schools with religious dogma? I don't think so...but what is important is for schools to not longer fear presenting the other side of the story and for administrations to back them up. I truly believe you can teach ID on scientific merits alone without invoking spirituality. Hopefully, this will continue to go in a direction that will open things up for further discussion outside of the classroom...to provoke inquiries from students concerning the range of things they are taught...
posted by danny at 1/25/2005 01:53:00 PM
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