the chutry experiment

Yowza. I'm a product of the Georgia public schools system and I think this is a really boneheaded move. I don't recall very much emphasis on evolution from my 10th grade AP Biology class as it was! My freshman year in college, I took a class called "Evolution" and was all excited about learning the secrets that I hadn't learned in high school. As I went through the class, I figured out that there was no great secret, no hidden agenda to do away with the Bible or with God. Regardless of whether you call it "biological changes over time" (as the Georgia proposal suggests) or "evolution," it's still the same durn thing. And it happens. And it doesn't mean that God isn't involved, you silly fundies!
*Rant over. whew!*

I'm also a product of the Georgia public school system, and I don't remember much discussion of evolution, either, but I honestly don't remember much about my science classes in the first place.

It's frustrating to see such policies tied to federal funding, too.

When was the Scopes Trial? The mid-1920s? Eighty years later, plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose... Time for a remake of Inherit the Wind.

What's a few more ignorant people in Georgia? I am starting to believe that if people don't want their kids to know actual science, let them be stupid. Parent's fault. If the kids are bright and have an interest in science, they will figure out they need to study evolution.

The Chutry Experiment ends up at the top of the list in a Netscape search for "Evolution Georgia". Way to go, bloggers! Anyway, I saw the two articles on CCN.com, the second being a brief interview with Jimmy Careter; he's "embarassed." Chuck is too u[pset to write at length on this. I will add my two cents at http://corpus-callosum.blogspot.com

I just heard about Carter's comments--glad to hear he's speaking up on this issue. Can't believe I hit number one on Netscape... What's amazing to me is that a very small percentage of people actually support this policy. Keeping my eye on the story...

Check out http://www.KathyCoxEvolve.com !

Thanks for the link. I'll mention it in the main text of my blog.

I'm of the belief that children should be taught to think. I prefer that my children are taught all theories, taught to argue both sides of every issue and then be able to make choices for themselves. However, facts should be presented as facts and theories should be presented as theories. Actual science is facts that can be proven, like the fact that the earth revolves around the sun; no problem proving this. Evolution is not fact, it is completely theory; it can not be proven. There are facts that could lead one to believe in evolution. However, I revert back to teaching children to think for themselves.

I appreciate your openness here, but calling evolution a "theory" is more or less identical to calling garvity a "theory." It's the best explanation fo rthe effects we see on a daily basis.

I'd agree completely that students need to be given room to think for themselves, but there's a difference between teaching students critical thinking and representing widely accepted scientific theories as mere guesswork.

Richard, the difference between proof and evidence is an important distinction in science. Evidence either supports or doesn't support a hypothesis. When a substantial amount of evidence supports a set of hypotheses then that theory becomes the accepted theory. The posts on the Butterflies and Wheels blog discuss the proof/evidence divide quite well.

There is no evidence or scientific basis for macro-evolution. Let me know if you come across them.

Also, in what way does macro-evolution not conflict with the Bible? One says Man evolved and not created by God while the other says Man was created by God. There is a complete contradiction!

I have heard more comments on ignorant christians from ignorant aithiests than I like. Do you think that christians have the choice of ignorance when they must face evolution daily within the classroom. No it is all of you that are ignorant because we do not force are faith on you as you do on us. Yes you do have a belief and a faith because it takes much more faith to believe that this world was a mistake happened by chance rather than created by God. I have studied evolution, I know the theories, I believe it is easier to put faith in God then your theories. Before you call me or anyone else ignorant then check your self for ignorance and ask yourself how much you know of my theories on creation. Untill then... Keep your ignorance to yourself!