Science
Related: About this forumIndiana Senate passes bill putting religion in science class
Yesterday, after almost no debate, the Indiana State Senate approved a bill that would allow its schools to teach the origin stories of various religions when a class touches on the origin of life. It now moves on to the state's House, where one of its cosponsors is currently the Speaker of the House.
Although the bill as written could be used to create a comparative religion class, its sponsor, Senator Dennis Kruse, has made it clear that he hopes to see it foster the teaching of creationism in science classes. The original text of the bill explicitly mentioned creation science; it has since been modified to mention a variety of religions, including Scientology. In a brief interview, Kruse expressed disdain for evolution, calling it a "Johnny-come-lately" theory.
As with many sponsors of bills of this sort, Kruse is apparently unaware of what evolution describes (hint: it's not the origin of life) and of the scientific meaning of the word "theory," which is not broad enough to encompass religious teachings. Unlike many of those other legislators, however, Kruse seems to be aware that legal precedent, in the form of Edwards v. Aguillard, prohibits the teaching of creation science in classrooms. Instead, he hopes that some school district in his state will shoulder the cost of returning the issue to the Supreme Court, which he thinks may choose to ignore precedent and revisit Edwards.
http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2012/02/indiana-senate-passes-bill-putting-religion-in-science-class.ars
I posted this in GD but they are more concerned with flag burning maybe my science loving friends will bring this news to the attention of DU
This shit has got to stop.
dickthegrouch
(3,174 posts)Nothing belongs in a science class that can't be.
Patrick_Bateman
(47 posts)Things are moving backwards so damn quickly.
leftyohiolib
(5,917 posts)BadgerKid
(4,552 posts)Tyrs WolfDaemon
(2,289 posts)That way people like Sen. Kruse will either be lifted into the sky (naked so we can all laugh) or he will be left out and go nuts (where he will hopefully go away so as to crawl into a corner and whimper about 'why doesn't god love me'). Then we wouldn't have to worry about things like this bill. We could have real schools that teach real science.
We can dream, can't we?
schmice
(248 posts)Knightstown Indiana is the birthplace of the KKK. No wonder this state wants to go back in time.
Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)Tumbulu
(6,278 posts)but it is so bizarre, really this glorification of ignorance.
TruthBeTold65
(203 posts)caraher
(6,278 posts)It's not getting any love in the moribund state forum... my understanding of the amendment is that its Democratic sponsor figures most local school corporations will shrink from going down this road is Christian creation myths potentially need to share equal time with Scientology, Hinduism and the Flying Spaghetti Monster. The trouble is, I think they're fully compliant with the law if they teach Genesis and say they're covering both Judaism and Christianity.
Ichingcarpenter
(36,988 posts)Science had the best result with 13 noms the others had not even 5. THANK YOU everyone.
sakabatou
(42,152 posts)He'd better know the law (Edwards v. Aguillard and Kitzmiller et al. v. Dover).
caraher
(6,278 posts)(paraphrasing) "This is a lawyer's dream, but I'm voting for it anyway."
In other words, they're happy to waste scarce state resources on fighting losing court battles simply in order to grandstand for the Christian Right. They honestly don't care what's Constitutional; they just want to be seen as taking a stand.