"science a pygmy compared to astrology"

[n2doc]

NEW DELHI: An apparently "non-controversial" bill passed on Wednesday in Lok Sabha became a platform for exchange of barbs and jibes between the government and opposition who sparred over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's and HRD minister Smriti Irani's alleged inclination towards mixing mythology with education.

The second half of the lower house, which saw introduction of The School of Planning and Architecture (SPA) Bill, was rocked by Congress and TMC attacking government for eroding scientific temper in the country and mixing religion with education, even as all supported the bill. The discussions were made even more interesting by a BJP MP Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank claiming that astrology was far ahead of science and that the latter was actually a pygmy compared to the former.

In a passionate and articulate answer to the house, Irani herself retorted by saying that members were making personal attack on her and argued for a balance between education and tradition.

Ironically the discussion began with TMC MP Saugata Roy calling the bill "non-controversial" while objecting to its introduction without its inclusion in the Business Advisory Committee meeting that gave little time to members to read the bill. The first salvo was fired by Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi who was otherwise praised by one and all, including the government, for making a passionate and useful speech on the bill.

more

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Now-BJP-says-science-a-Pygmy-Compared-to-Astrology/articleshow/45364802.cms

Sounds like India is dealing with the same wackjobs as the US education system is.

[AlbertCat]

1. Obviously....

.....Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank got to the meeting in a vehicle brought about by astrology, spoke into a mike made by astrology, and could see with electric lights astrology brought about as well.

Perhaps the A-bomb India has was also brought about by astrology.... or maybe that was alchemy.

[Stargazer09]

2. Ugh

Why is science so hard to understand?

I know that religion brings comfort to a lot of people, but damn, the world can't afford to erode scientific progress over it.

[QED]

3. I had a student upset with me because I wouldn't approve her science fair project

She wanted to compare results of Myers-Briggs to astrological signs. I told her astrology was not science - she thought astrology was astronomy. I can't fault her, it's a common misconception - but now she knows the difference!

[Orsino]

4. Poverty and ignorance will do that to a nation. n/t

[FiveGoodMen]

6. Raising children to believe in nonsense will do that to anyone.

[MisterP]

5. *slides down HistSci rainbow* "Whee!"

http://thonyc.wordpress.com/2014/12/04/the-weather-and-the-stars/