State Legislators Seek Bills to Allow Questioning of Evolution Theory in Schools

FOX NEWS

MIAMI, Fla. — The debate over evolution is evolving. Although federal courts have banned teaching "creation theory" or "intelligent design theory" in public schools, legislators in several states are seeking new ways to allow teachers to cast doubt on the theory of evolution.

The Florida House of Representatives passed a bill this week that will require schools to teach "critical analysis" of evolution.


On Tuesday Michigan introduced a similar "academic freedom" bill. Louisiana, Alabama and Missouri also have legislation under debate, although no state has adopted a law yet.

Opponents say these bills that allow the questioning of evolution are a smokescreen for teaching creationism or intelligent design.

Creation theory is the religious belief that God created all life. Intelligent design is the theory that some features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an "intelligent cause." While advocates contend intelligent design is a scientific theory, a federal judge in 2005 ruled that the theory is religious in nature and it is unconstitutional to teach it in public schools.

In Florida, Rep. Alan Hays, R-Umatilla, who sponsored the House bill, insists it would "not permit, nor authorize, nor allow the teaching of creationism or intelligent design" or any other religious theory.

But the bill would offer supplementary scientific information and encourage teachers and students to engage in discussion that criticizes evolution.

"I do not expect teachers to go into the classrooms and present a bizarre array of theories," Hays told FOXNews.com. "The theory of evolution, which most practicing biologists are teaching today, is inadequate in explaining our existence in the eyes of some scientists. Teachers need to be able to bring their students up to date."

The state already has a measure that protects teachers who challenge evolution, but the Florida Senate has stopped short of ratifying the House's proposed bill requiring it be taught.

But critics of these "academic freedom" measures say they are backdoor entries to teaching creationism.

"These anti-evolution bills are really the creationism du jour, an end run around the legal decisions that have banned the outright teaching of creationism," said Eugenie C. Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education in Oakland, Calif.

FOXNews.com - State Legislators Seek Bills to Allow Questioning of Evolution Theory in Schools

I'm all for "discussion"..what say you?

__________________
"Destiny must be shaped and not left to mere chance."..Spencer Collins

I've said it before on this forum...I'm all for the teaching the POSSIBILITY...

What I REALLY don't understand is when people complain about "teaching" intelligent design...

Seriously...What the heck is there to teach that doesn't take more than 10 seconds????

Teacher - "Many believe a higher entity created the universe and planned things to happen the way they do."

What more is there?...

__________________
"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

I think anything other than real science should not be taught in school. I am all for critical analyses of evolution but if it does, in fact, open a back door for teaching creationism or intelligent design, then mechanisms need to be put in place to stop that from happening. Schools are centers for learning, not centers for religious instruction.

Yes, well, scientists got the dinosaur thing correct right off the bat.
I mean they all evolved into alligators, right? --no, wait-birds--they evolved into birds! --no--wait...




I contend it is not possible to test a hypothesis on either evolution or intelligent design, therefore one of two courses of action should be taken by the public school system: offer both as intelligent guesses/food for thought within a course of scientific study.
Or number two, of course, teach neither, nor offer either proposal up for discussion by and/or with a student educated at the discretion of pubic funding.

__________________

Yes, I'm all for funding schools that DON'T teach anything at all.

That works.

Then you would probably be happier with number one.

__________________

Nope.

I'm one of those Christians who believe that religious instruction should be left out of the public school system.

My concern is not that we are not teaching religion in school. My concern has been for many years that we are leading students down a garden path with evolution "theory". It cannot be proved and should not be presented as fact. If we are going to speculate, then one fantasy is as good as another.

__________________

We see evolution occur throughout the generations of insects, bacteria, and a plethora of plant life. Mendel's experitments with crossbreeding proved what Darwin articulated with his work centuries later. In unlocking DNA sequence, we have been able to view latent genes that prove we evolved and dropped or added different traits.

To not believe in evolution is no more than turning a blind eye to solid science. But it is America, after all, and everyone has a right to choose to be ignorant if they wish.

Mendel proved that changes occur as a result of cross breeding.
Darwin drew a set of pictures of animal life on an isolated island.
As for picking up genes or laying them down again- who is to say it is not the same as speculation about simple cells being a host to beneficial parasites?
That just means we are made up of cells. It does not prove we have a single cell as our ancestor.
I am more open to ideas about science than many people. I don't see it as black or white. Evolution or creation. There may have been a process , but I believe Darwin led the scientific community to side step that process (maybe unwittingly.) More study needs to be done with an open mind. A mind that is not tethered by evolution theory or intelligent design.
That is what is wrong with the whole debate. As I said, if you are going to dive off into mere (albeit intelligent) speculation, then one set of legends is as good as another.

__________________