Darby students walk out to protest (anti-evolution) curriculum change

[Newsjock]

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2004/02/26/news/mtregional/news06.txt
Darby students walk out to protest curriculum change
By MICHAEL MOORE of the Missoulian

... Darby High School students took their war of words to the streets Wednesday, as they walked out of class early and walked a peaceful protest line in front of the school along U.S. Highway 93.

The students - about 50 of them, a third of the high school's 150 or so students - are upset about the Darby school board's recent approval of a so-called "objective origins" policy for science instruction.

Although it's not clear what "objective origins" will ultimately entail - the school hasn't formulated a curriculum yet - the students who protested Wednesday believe the policy will lead to instruction that casts biblical creation stories as science. The board claims the policy is nothing more than a way to teach legitimate critiques of evolutionary theory, though board members haven't identified those critiques.

"Science is built on facts," said sophomore Walter Lister. "I believe in God and everything, but it's not science."

That's right, said freshman Ben Gade: "If you want to worship, go to church. If you want to learn about science, go to the public schools."

more

[SoCalDem]

1. The students need to organize

Have their parents "excuse" them from Adam & Eve 101, and then they may actually have to have parents band together and pay for a REAL science teacher.. Make it very public.. embarrass these idiots,, They should call national media and have them attend a "teaching session"..

Lots of people have homes big enough to accomodate "classesa"..or better yet, they should start a "science club" and ask for a location right at the school.. The kids could "hire" their own "lecturer", and circumvent the whole thing that way.. Maybe they could take a different course to fulfil their science requirement..

[xchrom]

2. my head would explode

if i was a parent and this is the kind of crap my kid had to put up with.
freshman ben gade had it exactly right -- if you want to worship go to church.
evolution is science.
this crap has to STOP.

[girl gone mad]

3. Where is the NAS?

Where are our scientific organizations? Why aren't they out defending evolution on a regular basis? In the absence of a clear, organized response, the fundies have managed to convince a significant number of people including those in positions of power that there is real scientific doubt about evolution.

This tiny vocal minority of religious fanatics has taken over schoolboards, brainwashed students and members of even moderate churches and gotten their point across in the national media. The scientific community needs to launch a public cammpaign against this nonsense.

[Dudley_DUright]

7. They do

The problem is that it is a never ending battle. Most of the major scientific societies, including the National Academy of Sciences have statements condemning this sort of thing.

[wryter2000]

4. Way to go, kids!

Wonderful. Make noise. Don't let them ruin your education!

[donsu]

5. Hooray for the students

at least somebody has taught these kids the truth and taught them how to speak out. Great!

[colonel odis]

6. it's pretty sad when students have to stand up

because parents in the community wouldn't stand up to stop that nonsense.

[slor]

8. I am so proud of those kids...

restores my faith in American youth, I tell you.

[Democat]

9. The article author's name is Michael Moore?

:)