Student in my class wearing a "Darwin Lied" t-shirt

[callous taoboy]

with Genesis 1:1 printed below it. EWWWWWWW!

[Reverend_Smitty]

1. What grade?

n/t

[Richardo]

3. I'd say give him an 'F'

:D

[Vanje]

41. Hey Ricardo!

Mean People Suck!

No matter the whether they are right, left , or center, Mean People Suck!

[Modem Butterfly]

72. But nice people swallow

:7

[callous taoboy]

25. Third grade. Really sweet kid.

[Reverend_Smitty]

35. That's unfortunate...

It's a shame that he is being essentially brainwashed by his parents

[FreedomAngel82]

107. Yep

I betcha. Does he even know who Darwin is? Isn't that something you learn in fifth/sixth grade or so? :shrug: I know some kids are smart and all that but if his parents are fundie's I doubt they'd let their kid learn about Darwin. Oh and also to Reverend_Smitty I love your photo in your signature.

[Reverend_Smitty]

114. Thanks, its one of my favorites too...

I have the same print hanging up in my bedroom as well

[progressoid]

42. Third grade? That's sad.

But cults are more effective when they get them young.

[PaDem]

125. I believe that God created the earth, am I in a cult?

Please tell.

[niceypoo]

130. I believe God created the earth too

Via evolution. I have it both ways.

[BornLeft]

133. nope

just in the wonderful 51%.

[Toots]

132. Did she do it in six days?

Or was it six billion years that God just called days? Is she on the US's side in this Global domination thing that is going on or does she wish to see her creation destroyed?

[Dark]

141. Why does everyone apply a gender to God? n/t

[cheezus]

136. do you have leaders telling you what to believe

and do you belive what they tell you when reason says otherwise?

then yes, you're in a cult

[PaDem]

139. Nobody tells me what to believe........

I grew up in a fundamentalist church and I'm here.

According to your litmus test most republicans are in a cult. What does reason have to say about creation? I'd love to here.

[UdoKier]

59. Wow, he must have read a lot of scripture and scientificc tracts...

...to come to that conclusion.

:eyes:

[Warpy]

60. Poor little bugger probably hasn't even considered

what the writing on his shirt means to a lot of people. He probably wore it because it was clean and besides, he liked the color.

A note to the parents might be in order, that you'd appreciate his not being sent to school in such a confrontational t-shirt and that anything that puts down another person's point of view is inappropriate. Consult the school principal before you send it, though.

Then brace yourself for the overreaction.

[ultraist]

86. You cannot prevent them from wearing religious stuff

That is illegal even though many religions have vile beliefs.

What if he wore a Bible quote about Gays being sinners? Could they draw the line on that? I sure hope so.

[starwolf]

91. Remember the fiasco over the "Straight Pride" hoodie?

[ultraist]

104. No, I don' t remember that.

Did it have religious quotes on it?

I think the line would be where it begins to create a "hostile environment." For instance, employers CAN fire someone for displaying rebel flags on their clothing or work items in the workplace because despite the Neo Confederates veneer of "southern pride" it is a hate symbol against Jews, Blacks and Gays.

If someone wore a mysogynist quote, even if it was a bible quote, that could be considered sexual harrassment/hostile environment.

[starwolf]

120. Interesting story

Kid wore a shirt with the caption "Straight Pride". School administration said it was offensive. Court case followed, school lost, administrator did not concede defeat gracefully. And yes the kid was a fundie.

http://www.geocities.com/hardingpj/uniformsqueer.html is a GLBT recounting.

His own version of events was on the website of the same name, but all there is now is a bunch of fundie links and a place to buy shirts.

[Smarmie Doofus]

2. I hope you're a Science teacher.

[in_cog_ni_to]

4. Get yourself a "DARWIN LOVES YOU" t-shirt and wear it

just for him/her. ;)

http://www.cafepress.com/realitees.9853740?r=froogle

[fishwax]

31. lol

I'd like one of those shirts :D

[in_cog_ni_to]

51. I love that.

I have that bumper sticker on my car AND "Keep your Theology off my Democracy." AND "Jesus was a LIBERAL Jew".

I love pissin' off the religious right. It gives me great pleasure. :7

[auburngrad82]

45. How about wearing a Jesus was a Liberal t-shirt to the next Parent

Teacher conference?

[aden_nak]

What level class are we talking about here?

And I must wonder how many passages from The Origin of Species he actually read.

[WahooJunkie]

7. just a quick correction

Darwin's work was "The Origin of Species", not "THE" species.

Minor word, yes - but chancges the whole meaning

[aden_nak]

10. You know, I actually KNEW that.

But it is Monday. :P

[WahooJunkie]

12. ;-)

LOL - I hear ya. ;-)

easy mistake.

[booksenkatz]

57. Indeed.

[hiley]

70. LOL !

Love those pics

[joefree1]

5. You could get one of these

http://www.rof.com/Plaque_TRex.htm

[Stop_the_War]

140. AWESOME!

[Botany]

6. Ask him/her about what?

BTW Evolution is just the change in gene frequency over time. And sex
shuffles the deck and in the long run that allows more genotypical
variability i.e. more "stuff" out there. Darwin was a member and a lay
minister in the Anglican church too.

:bounce:

[ck4829]

8. Lied about what? Darwin had no idea evolution would blossom into...

such a divisive concept. Even though he believed in evolution, I believe Darwin was in fact a religious man.

[Clark2008]

16. I think creationism and evolution can co-exist

Who's to say a great Creator didn't create the Big Bang?
And, any thinking person knows evolution exists - for example, humans have evolved in just 30 years (they've gotten taller, as a whole).

I'm not trying to get into any philosophical arguments about God creating the Big Bang, either. I'm just pointing out that reasonable people can reasonably assume that both can exist.

It bothers me that there are some on both sides who a pushing us to believe in one or the other. I believe in both. I believe the Bible is a series of parables, written in an era where few people had any technical education; therefore, it was written in story-form to make it easily understandable by the majority of listeners/readers. There's no evidence God created the earth in seven days - but who's to say that a "day" to God wasn't the equivilant of a million or billion human years?


Edited for clarity

[Tux]

24. Er...

Who's to say a great Creator didn't create the Big Bang? Fundies.

They believe that science is an antheist movement to destroy Christianity and prevent Jesus from reincarnating so he can kill non-Christians while sending Christians to heaven.

[Clark2008]

116. Oh, I know the Fundies are saying this.

My point is why are both sides pushing us into "either/or" mode? I think the two can mutually exist.

When I was growing up, most religious people honestly believed that God was the creator and evolution was the facilitator.
Easy to accept and reasonable for understanding both the facts of evolution and the belief required of religion.

[yellowcanine]

131. But some "theistic evolutionists" still draw the line at man evolving

from an ape-like ancestor - a completely scientificically inconsistent position. Just look at us - we are apes, some of us more so than others.

[Botany]

27. But creationism is not science ......

..... so it should not be in a science classroom.

[mmonk]

121. exactly

"But creationism is not science ......"
..... so it should not be in a science classroom.

[Love Bug]

49. My H.S. biology teacher believed that

I recall our class discussing creation and evolution 35 years ago. Our teacher, who said he was a Christian, stated that he believed that God created man but used evolution to do it.

[Johonny]

19. Sure he did

which is why he sat on the idea for sooo long. He would have sat on it longer if not for the competition. He knew that the idea of non-directional change would not sit well with people. It still doesn't and many people want evolution to be heading towards something and think of it as a constant drive towards perfection.

[Morose]

83. Isn't Darwin buried in Westminster Abby?

So is Newton....damn scientists...

edit *guess that should be Damned Scients?

[CatBoreal]

137. No, Darwin was an atheist or possibly an agnostic...

There were claims that he converted and then recanted his theories on his deathbed, but those have pretty much been disproven.

[LynneSin]

9. The kid is practicing free speech...

...too many times I hear about students wearing anti-bush/anti-war shirts to school and they get ridiculed to death.

Let's be better than that - the kid can wear what he wants as long as it isn't racist or criminal. Stupidity is acceptable

[ulysses]

18. I have to disagree.

Stupidity may be inevitable, but I wouldn't at all say that it's acceptable.

[Name removed]

47. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Modem Butterfly]

75. Amen to that- so to speak

:kick:

[havocmom]

33. Would be interesting to see what happens to a kid with a tee shirt

proclaiming something the fundies abhor. If that kid is allowed, then, yeah I am for free speech extended to tee shirt worn by 8 year olds in public schools, but I see a very slippery slope. We are talking 3rd grader here and most schools have some sort of dress code. Is it OK to allow any and all messages one can fit on a tee shirt for an 8 year old? I am thinking there would be some limits. And also thinking that, in public school, there should be limits on what is accepted.

Eight-year-olds do not have the life experiences to be big proponents of political discourse and free speech. Somebody older than 8 picked out that tee shirt and bought it. Are they gonna sit for all opposing messages on classmates? Would love to hear about the results of this.

[Tempest]

40. Let's see if it's free speech

Have a student wear a "Bush Lied" t-shirt and let's see just how free free speech is.

[Kellanved]

11. The "Darwin Lied"? Is that a German folk song?

;-)

[BiggJawn]

22. LOL!

Wouldn't that be "Das Darwinlied" :evilgrin:

[stopbush]

43. Ha! "Die, Bart, Die = The Bart, The" - Sideshow Bob

Yes, the Darwin Lied. It's part of his song cycle, Die Entwickelnde Maid (The Evolving Maiden).

[TreasonousBastard]

13. Oh, this is getting ridiculous, just...

whup his ass.

Beat him to a bloody pulp and knock some sense into his thick skull.

Let him whine and cry about being persecuted, then whup him some more.

Then get him laid. That might shut him up.

There's just too much of this bullshit going on and it's about time to just stop it.

[donheld]

56. Oh yes, Violence is the answer

You want him to whup the ass of a 3rd grader who is wearing his parents beliefs on his shirt. I'm sure that will work wonders. :eyes::eyes::eyes:

[Zenlitened]

61. Pssst... I think your irony/sarcasm detector is unplugged. :)

[donheld]

112. It's hard to find an irony/sarcam detector

Early Monday morning :crazy:

[TreasonousBastard]

78. Oops. Didn't know he was a third-grader at the time...

so don't get him laid. And don't hurt him too much.

But still beat the piss out of the parents. Beat 'em bloody raw.

Brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, and everybody they know. And a really special beating for whoever filled their heads with that nonsense.

Whup 'em all until they call for God, and then tell 'em "I got yer God right here!" and bring out the chains, bullwhips and tasers.

(So, does it look like I am getting REALLY frustrated with certain elements pushing these bullshit issues and not worrying about whether the kids can actually READ?)

[w4rma]

14. I suppose he thinks nearly every scientist after Darwin lies, too.

A great big conspiracy where most of the scientists of the world are trying to trick "good" fundie "Christians" into believing that life evolves.

[Walt Starr]

15. According to conservatives

pulling his chair out from underneath him would be a good response since he's being a "clown".

:shrug:

[RagingInMiami]

17. Throw him out to a pack of bullies in the schoolyard

And let him gain firsthand knowledge of Darwin's "survival of the fittest" theory.

[bleedingheart]

20. Practice a little "social Darwinism" on him...

hahahahaha

[Drifter]

21. I'll take a theory ....

based on scientific physical evidence
OVER
one based on blind, unconditional belief.

Cheers
Drifter

[GiovanniC]

23. He's Guaranteed the Right to Be a Moronic Jackass

It's right there in the First Amendment.

[blueheeler]

26. God Lied

If that shirt said that, he would have been sent home!

[hiley]

68. Probably true

however like most concede he can wear it. The child is being brain-washed.
Back when I was growing up my Mother told the school "Do not teach my daughter "Evolution at all". Public School in Arkansas-Bible Belt. My teachers gave me decent grades anyhow.
Church was Southern Baptist, all consuming and me asking questions like "Exactly, how could Noah build an Arch big enough for 2 of every species and on top of that the "species did not eat each other" ?
Well, Jesus was a Jew why would all Jews go to Hell ?
I though God was Love, why would God send people to Hell ?

But still I would think "Darwin's Theory" :wtf:
How ridiculous to think anything but that we were created in God's Image ?

Definitely, being slowly brain-washed every Sunday School,Sunday service, Church Training Class (Sunday Night) then followed by Sunday Night service and don't forget Wednesday Evening service.
Vacation Bible School, Visitation Day and etc. Believe me the frickin'
lists goes on and on. My Mom was WMU leader so that door didn't swing open without us "kids" being in tow.


Sorry, for the rant !
Point being Unfortunately I understand to well about church and state.
His t-shirt definitely sucks though because of the indication that he will not be encouraged to learn and enjoy Science, AT ALL.

[lala_rawraw]

28. You should

Wear a t-shirt that says:

Torture is not a value!
and provide a little statement of your own

[Zenlitened]

29. One less kid competing for a space in college.

The world needs fundie ditch-diggers, too.

[callous taoboy]

32. This student is very bright-

Just lives in a very conservative town.

[Tempest]

38. He may be bright

But unless he gets the sciences down, he won't get into any college other than community.

There's going to be a lot of students coming out of small towns in Alabama and Georgia (where the push for creationism teaching is being made) ill-prepared for the national SAT tests.

[Zenlitened]

48. Bingo. - n/t

[Vanje]

50. For fux sake!

He's an eight year old, wearing a shirt his grammy probably got him for Christmas.
are you really THAT THREATENED?

Leave him the fuck alone!

[in_cog_ni_to]

54. ahem...MOST of the response posts were BEFORE anyone knew the kid was 8

years old! Chill! READ THE THREAD! LOOK at the time of the OP. LOOK at the time of the posts. LOOK at the time we found out he was 8 years old. Sheesh. Calm the fuck down, would you?

[Vanje]

58. I dont care if he's 25!

He's wearing a shirt.
This is not a threat to me. Is it a threat to you?
Why does a shirt bother people so much?

[in_cog_ni_to]

62. It doesn't bother me. It's STUPID and when you see a kid wearing it

you know the PARENT put it on him. We have every right to dislike his t-shirt and make commentary on it as he has to wear it. Right? So? What's the problem?

[Vanje]

65. Mean people suck

Dont be mean

[in_cog_ni_to]

73. Mean? Show me where "I" have been mean.

Anyone on this board is entitled to their opinion on what the little boy's t-shirt said. Period. Having an opinion on it is not being mean. You just don't like the opinions.

[Vanje]

87. Whats got me so het-up. I'm responding to the above sentiments...

"Give him an F"
"Send a note to his parents"
Shirt is "unacceptable"
Let school yard bullies show him some Darwinism.

[Zenlitened]

55. Who said anything about feeling threatened?

It's more a matter of pity.

Too many children of fundie parents and communities are in danger of being "left behind" (in a way their parents never bargained for) if the dumbing down of science continues in this country.

[Vanje]

63. I dont pity this kid

I vote him most likely in his class to actually read ,Darwin's Origin of Species.
Theres lots of time for this youngster to mature into a world view.

Children and students of all sorts need to be guided gently.
Enlightenenment is not only the product of those with liberal parents.

[Zenlitened]

67. Well, I think your posts in this thread show an over-reaction...

Try to view the discussion in a wider context.

It's not just about one kid wearing one t-shirt. It's about the decidedly non-progressive attack on science education, it's about the politics of fundamentalism.

That's what people are responding to.


(edit spelling)

[Vanje]

92. Over reaction?

How do YOU respond to the post suggesting, give the kid an F'?

Edited to include question mark.
I guess I'm asking a question.

[Zenlitened]

95. How do YOU respond...

... to the the smiley-face icon :) that followed the statement?

You launch yourself into this whole crusade, calling people out, taking everyone to task, without ever seeing the true scope of the discussion, utterly immune to nuance, and then set yourself up as the defender of the First Amendment?

Give it a rest.

Done with you.



(edit typo)

[Vanje]

99. Well, if you're "done with me" ...whatever... it likely makes no differnc

but do just allow me to say, that I'm not one to leave an odious suggestion unchallanged just because a smiley face is posted with it.
(edit for crappy typing)

[Tempest]

64. Thanks for getting it

When I said he would be left behind because of the fundy push in the south to teach creationism, I sure as hell wasn't talking about the kid pushing it.


But some people just have to jump on the "stop picking on the kid" bandwagon without comprehending what a poster says.

[Tempest]

66. Reading comprehension a problem?

I said nothing about being threatened.

I said he would be left behind because of what the ADULTS are doing.


Next time breath deep and think about what is said before jumping off the cliff.

[blueheeler]

101. Maybe true but...

There is the next generation of thug, young and innocent now but being told what to think none-the-less!

[rucky]

134. Good God, the kid's in third grade

he has plenty of time to rebel from his whacko parents and embrace reason - if not just to piss 'em off.

[LiberalEsto]

30. I would ignore it

He probably has no idea what it means, and making a fuss over it is just giving his family the attention they are trying to provoke.

I wonder what he will do when the class studies dinosaurs.

[callous taoboy]

34. This student's dad is a little scarey.

[NoPasaran]

36. There are some pretty scary responses in this thread

Suggesting what to do to an eight year-old displaying an unpopular opinion.

[w4rma]

37. Yup. Some people need to calm down. (nt)

[Vanje]

39. Good! Long live free speech!

Hats off to the youngster for taking a stand.

I hope that his world is gentle with him as,in coming years , he researches his argument.

[progressoid]

46. Yes, long live free speech

but he's not taking a stand, his parents are. And, as posted above, if he wore a "Bush lied" t-shirt, he'd be in the principal's office in a heartbeat. It's not free speech, if there is a double standard.

[Vanje]

53. He's a little kid! Wearing a shirt his granny probably got him

Why should you be threatened by this?
Get off his back!
Pick on someone your own size!

[Tempest]

69. What's with this "threatened" crap?

You don't seem to get it.

It's not the t-shirt, it's the fundies wanting to do away with the teaching of evolution in the schools.


If you're going to disagree, at least pick something which was ACTUALLY SAID!

[Vanje]

77. Maybe you dont understand.

I understood this thread was about a child wearing a shirt to school.

[Tempest]

90. You're wrong

The BOARD is about the child, the THREAD you responded to (mine) was about the teaching of creationism and how it will cause students to have difficulty on the national SAT tests.

You then twisted it to say we were threatened by the t-shirt, when no such claim was made and when the t-shirt itself was not the topic of the THREAD.

[Vanje]

94. I assumed this thread was about a child wearing a particular message shirt

....As evidenced in the initial post.
In my posts I'm responding to that.

I dont , for a moment advocate the teaching of creationism as science.
I DO absolutely advocate that a child should be free to express his views on the subject through any means , including his clothing without being punished or made an example of.

Its too soon to say how this individual child will do on his SATs.
As an 8 year old, he still has a lot of time to get it right.

[borg5575]

118. I disagree with the concept of teaching creationism in science classes.

However, people should have the free speech right to advocate that if they wish. You and I on the other hand have a right to advocate the opposite view.

I also don't see a problem with teaching in a philosophy class or a history of religion class or some similar venue that there are people who sincerely believe in creationism. That wouldn't be the same as teaching creationism as a legitimate scientific theory in a science class.

[Democrat Dragon]

128. yea

when people fling mud at a kid with a T-shirt with "Darwin Lied", they're acting exactly like the kids who fling mud at the kid with "Bush Lied".

[progressoid]

76. I'm not picking on him...

It's the people that gave him the shirt and think it's OK to wear in school that I'm picking on.

Earlier, you said he was making a stand. Assuming that an 8 year old could make such a stand; a stand for what? Rational thinking? Scientific discovery? Perhaps a regression to 17th century doctrines?

[Vanje]

96. Even a child's wrong stand may be better than none

As I stated earlier, if this boys confidence and freedom to form ideas isnt squelched, If he is not made to feel overly defensive, this boy is quite likely , eventually to actually read Origin of Species.
Our original poster says he is a very bright good kid.
What do you think the outcome of his research may be?

[Vanje]

71. "if he wore a "Bush lied" t-shirt,, he'd be in the principle's office...."

That would be horrible.
Children and adults should be able to wear whatever they choose, or what ever their parents choose, with out being singled out, or punished, or made an example of.

[in_cog_ni_to]

74. That's so true.

Unfortunately, that isn't the way it is. Remember the guy in the NY mall who was told to leave because he was wearing an anti-war/anti-Bush t-shirt? No school around my neck of the woods would allow an anti-Bush t-shirt.

[Vanje]

80. Thats horrible!

People should be able to wear what ever shirt they like without being punished or singled out.

[Zenlitened]

81. You don't feel schools should be able to enforce dress codes?

:shrug:

[Vanje]

88. Dress codes

I think any dress code should be as inclusive as possible.
Actual smut, rascism and 4-letter words are probably not acceptable in school. Clothes should cover private parts and should be sufficient to keep students warm according to the season.
Color and design should be upto each student and his/her family.

[in_cog_ni_to]

82. No kidding?

;) The Bush cabal and the religious right are making sure those rights don't exist anymore. Think "Patriot Act." AND watch what you say about Bush here on DU because Agent Mike will be knocking on your door tomorrow. He's our resident SS agent who monitors DU. Freedom of speech? For repukes maybe.

[Vanje]

102. Thats horrible!

You said:
";) The Bush cabal and the religious right are making sure those rights don't exist anymore. Think "Patriot Act." AND watch what you say about Bush here on DU because Agent Mike will be knocking on your door tomorrow. He's our resident SS agent who monitors DU. Freedom of speech? For repukes maybe."

Thats horrible.
I wish everyone the ability to fully realize their constitutionally guaranteed freedoms of expression without being punished or singled out , whether they be DU-posters, kids wearing slogan shirts at school, or bigoted freeperjerks wearing oppsition slogans at gay pride day at an amusement park.

[ultraist]

105. Schools have to adhere to "hostile environment" laws

Racist, sexist, anti Religion, displays are not allowed in the schools or workplace. In other words, an employee or student could not wear a KKK tshirt to work or school that says, Kill all Gays, Blacks, & Jews. That would be a hostile environment situation.

People have a right to be at work or school and not be sexually harrassed or harrassed based on their race, sexual orientation, or religion.

[Vanje]

108. Well of course.

I should have added those exceptions to my statement. It was an oversight.

In a *school or work environment*, no one should be subjected to messages singling out a particular group (ie gays, jews, blacks, etc.)

The boys t-shirt message that started this thread, "Darwin Lied" dosnt fit a racism, sexism, or anti religion display.
I feel it should not be censored. The boy should not be punished or singled out just because an authority figure (teacher) disagrees with his message.

[Zenlitened]

79. Way to twist the argument 'round and 'round.

Nice technique.

[Vanje]

84. I'm not going "round and round".

This is about children wearing shirts with messages.
I'm all for letting anyone wear any shirt wihout being punished or made an example of.
When the shirt wearer is especially young, and may not be soley responsible for choosing his / her own wardrobe, its even more important not to make him/her an object of confrontation.

A child with a shirt. No big thing.

[Touchdown]

93. You can't be serious.

I'm all for letting anyone wear any shirt wihout being punished or made an example of.

Once, about 12 years ago, there was this guy who wore a T-Shirt that said "STOP AIDS" with a red slash through 2 stick figures, one bent over in front of the other. On the back it said "Pump Iron, not your buddy." He wore this to Worlds of Fun (a theme park in KCMO). he was at least 19 years old.

The day? Gay pride day at Worlds of Fun. He got into a fight. Suprised? Do you feel for his suppression of neanderthal thoughts, and how dare the fascist faggot for confronting him? You know damn well that's what he was looking for when he put it on that morning.

Hmmm. It seems that they still think it's funny after all these years. They have an emoticon now. :eyes:

[Vanje]

97. As a big ol lezzie myself,

I'd rather the guy wear his "Pump Iron, not Buddies Shirt."
I'd just as soon know straight out how he feels.

I also advocate total non-censorship of those horrid peple at "godhatesfags.com.
Their continued self expression does more to condemn themselves in the eyes of the nation than it does to harm gay freedoms.

[ultraist]

106. Hostile environment laws; workplace and public schools

Hostile environment includes display of hate symbols.

Do you think a Gay person should have to work in an office where anti Gay posters are displayed? Hostile environment laws say, no.

State statutes vary on hostile environment but they all fall under Civil Rights, US Code

Civil Rights US Code
Chapter IX: Equal Education
Chapter XI: Equal Employment

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode42/usc_sup_01_42_10_21.html

[Vanje]

109. No. You are correct. I should have made that clear

See my post here:http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3232729&mesg_id=3234483&page=

[ultraist]

110. Ok, thanks! eom

[hiley]

98. The big thing is

((((((((( the indication that he will not be encouraged to learn and enjoy Science, AT ALL.))))))))))

from my earlier post:eyes:

[callous taoboy]

111. I'm doing my part-

have discussed evolution a bit, have my Time-Life book on "Early Man" on prominent display on book shelf.

[hiley]

135. Callous I do trust that

you are doing your part, plus as evidenced in your concern.

Thank you for being a Teacher, the parents are the irresponsible ones. Science, evolution well, everything about education is vitally important and I wish my parents had stressed this in our home.
However, from my childhood and my husband's we learned much.
I have to toot my horn for my daughter, she is going to University of Arkansas and on the Dean's List.

[mondo joe]

119. Hard to love science if you don't believe it

If his starting premise is science is lies, it's hard to see how he'll enjoy it.

:-(

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

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[Bridget Burke]

52. Will you do a "dinosaur" unit this year?

Our Natural Science Museum packs them in when they have a special Dino exhibit. I liked them since reading "All About Dinosaurs," but I liked the big mammals even more. Mammoths, saber tooth cats & dire wolves....

It's interesting stuff. Don't attack the poor kid, but show him some alternatives. Everyone ought to meet T Rex at an early age.

[callous taoboy]

85. We'll be studying soils soon. Should get interesting.

[Walt Starr]

89. And people wonder why the United States is so behind the rest of the world

in math and science.

:eyes:

Pretty much sums it up right there. The kid is being conditioned to be a moron, and every American has the absolute right to be a moron. It doesn't lessen the impact, however.

Edited to add:

Oh pi is three and this I know,
for the Bible tells me so!

[Swamp Rat]

100. How 'bout: "Jesus Loves Darwin." n/t

[IdaBriggs]

103. Make him read the book and do a report on it.

If he's old enough to advertise it, he's old enough to study it so he doesn't look like a fool. Make his parents help him out (since they obviously bought him the shirt). :)

[mondo joe]

113. I suggest some 2 + 2 = 5 T-shirts to give out in class

With a note that says "Everything you see on a t-shirt isn't true".

[callous taoboy]

115. I have an M.C. Escher tie

that has naked devils on it. They're hard to spot, though.

[stanwyck]

117. I feel so sorry for these kids

they're being handicapped by their parents and their fundamentalist religion. Already the kid's opportunities for the future are limited. No science degree. No career in the medical field or technology. And then there's the wide open mind expansion of philosophy and literature. All the arts. Does he shut his mind to all fields except fundamentalist religion? Are no opposing views valid? What kind of education does this child ultimately have? And who wants him as an employee?

[kineneb]

126. "Would you like fries with that?"

Will be their most often asked question. Not much future for the brainwashed.

[Telly Savalas]

122. You sure it wasn't reference to the right handed pitcher Danny Darwin?

I can't attest to the guy's honesty, but his career stats are pretty mediocre.

[Rapcw]

123. I've seen a kid in my class where a shirt that said

"Sin Kills" with a skull and crossed bones, and some verse in the back. This kid has worn other shirts with fake christian messages like that also. Heck, he'll probably wear one tomorrow. The sin one is the only one I can remember right now though.


BTW: He is in my science class in 9th grade.

[stanwyck]

129. Let me prophesize

based on friends of my kids who embraced their parent's enforced fundamentalism: early pregnancy, lack of higher education, substance abuse problems, difficulty with relationships, and depression. Obviously, this is my totally unscientific survey. It just happens to be what has occurred after high school among my son's and daughter's classmates. The children of the non-religious and liberal religious are doing better. It's a very difficult transition after high-school into adulthood. Many kids get lost during this time. It seems to be particularly difficult for the fundamentalist young adults. Early marriages and early pregnancies are common. And since well-paying jobs are scarce for young people with little education and job experience, poverty is also common.
I don't understand why parents aren't helping their children more by preparing them to face a world of possibilities. Not a narrow world constrained by rigid beliefs.

[RetroLounge]

124. Get a WWDD t-shirt

or "Evolve or Die"

RL

[jmowreader]

127. Get him a copy of the new Chick Tract

In the newest Chick Tract it says that all mankind (there's a picture of all mankind, including Osama bin Laden and IIRC Hillary Clinton) came from eight people.

If all mankind came from eight people, and there was no evolution, wouldn't everyone look alike?

Because all mankind obviously does NOT look alike, we must therefore assume that evolution takes place.

And because Jack is a favorite of fundies, he's gotta believe it. After all, Jack says so.

[CatBoreal]

138. Why not get yourself a copy of....

November 2004's National Geographic...

In big red letters:

Was Darwin Wrong????

Just about shit a brick when I read that. Inside is an article listing all the reasons why Darwin was not wrong.

It's a great article.

Sent it to my mother who believes she's on a mission from God(tm) to disprove evolution. She's not quite so gun-ho about her "quest" lately. Wonder why???

"Science without religion is lame; religion without science is blind." —Albert Einstein

[MIS_UNDER_ESTIMATED]

142. Hmm.....

Maybe you should wear a t-shirt that says:

"My god created your god"


or


"Who created your god?"


After all, if the xians believe that their god has always existed, why can't they just as well believe that the universe has always existed?