SAD 59 debates teaching of evolution

The state Department of Education disagrees with an Athens School Board director who wants School Administrative District 59 to drop evolution from its high school science curricula.

Director Matthew Linkletter claims evolution is an unprovable theory and shouldn’t be taught as fact. He’s urged the SAD 59 Board of Directors to consider his view during its May 19 meeting in Madison, with a goal of removing evolution from science classrooms.

But David Connerty-Marin of the Department of Education says evolution must be taught because, in the state’s view, it’s a proven science.

“For our students to be prepared for college work and life in the 21st century, it’s necessary,” said Connerty-Marin.

Connerty-Marin said the Maine Learning Results program mandates the study of evolution in public science classes.

“Evolution is not just a belief, or based on faith, it’s based on scientific evaluation,” he said. “The worldwide science community supports it.”

Linkletter believes that neither evolution nor creationism belong in a high school science curriculum, because they cannot be proven.

“You can’t show, observe or prove (evolution),” he said.

School Administrative District 59 includes the towns of Madison, Athens, Brighton Plantation and Starks.

Chosen at random, two parents of Madison Area Memorial High School students expressed some support for Linkletter’s position.

“I think that’s a very valid point, to tell you the truth, because evolution is only a theory, not a hard fact,” said Nancy Martin, an educational technician at Athens Elementary School.

Martin, who has a son at the high school, said that she believes in creationism, as outlined in the Old Testament Book of Genesis. She said SAD 59 should pull evolution from the science curriculum unless creationism is afforded equal footing. (Source)

It’s highly ironic that the very people who exhibit such ignorance of evolution, those who are in the greatest need of an education in the biological sciences, are the same folks who oppose it for no good reason. That becomes obvious when the god folks of Maine don’t offer a single alternative explanation that accounts for the evidence observed in nature, evidence that can be subjected to the scientific method (since that’s what qualifies something as scientific as opposed to a philosophy, which science isn’t nearly as competent to examine). All they can do is claim “god did it” and shake their heads in either amazement or confusion. It’s hard to discern the difference.

And these people get to decide what little Jimmy gets to learn, little Mohammad, little Tzao, any other child who might not be a Christian? It’s nothing less than a travesty of the educational system. Special interest groups, and I don’t care which faction of the population they represent even if I might be sympathetic any other time, should be allowed to influence education. No kid should be taught what to think. Every child ought to be taught how to think.

The 21st century is the Data Age. We are consuming and producing data on a previously unimaginable scale. What children will need to learn to cope with this never-ending data stream is how to access the information they need. They need to develop discernment, so they can determine the validity of the ideas they encounter. No one with computer access and the knowledge of how to search needs to memorize the order of the presidents or the state capitals.

To allow the further perversion of a system already ineffective is nonsensical. Education needs to progress, not regress into the 1st century. Education, if it’s to remain relevant, has to adapt to the computer age. No amount of praying or Bible reading is going to accomplish that.

Maine may have a more extensive problem with their educational system. Presumably all these board members attended schools where evolution was taught as a biological science. Yet they managed to grasp nothing at all of the theory. They didn’t even learn what a scientific theory is. Since when is it every parent’s wish that their children graduate from school even more ignorant than themselves?

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“The Quest for Right” is another attempt to sneak religious nonsense into the classroom disguised as serious science.

From the site:

THERE IS A NEW DISCIPLINE:

The Quest for Right, a series of 7 textbooks created for the public schools, represents the ultimate marriage between an in-depth knowledge of biblical phenomena and natural and physical sciences. The several volumes have accomplished that which, heretofore, was deemed impossible: to level the playing field between those who desire a return to physical science in the classroom and those who embrace the theory of evolution. The Quest for Right turns the tide by providing an authoritative and enlightening scientific explanation of natural phenomena which will ultimately dethrone the unprofitable Darwinian view.

The backbone of Darwinism is not biological evolution per se, but electronic interpretation, the tenet that all physical, chemical, and biological processes result from a change in the electron structure of the atom which, in turn, may be deciphered through the orderly application of mathematics, as outlined in quantum mechanics. A few of the supporting theories are: degrading stars, neutron stars, black holes, extraterrestrial water, antimatter, the absolute dating systems, and the big bang, the explosion of a singularity infinitely smaller than the dot of an “i” from which space, time, and the massive stellar bodies supposedly sprang into being.

The philosophy rejects any divine intervention. Therefore, let the philosophy of Darwinism be judged on these specifics: electron interpretation and quantum mechanics. Conversely, the view that God is both responsible for and rules all the phenomena of the universe will stand or fall when the facts are applied. The view will not hinge on faith alone, but will be tested by the weightier principle of verifiable truths – the new discipline.

The Quest for Right is not only better at explaining natural phenomena, but also may be verified through testing. As a consequence, the material in the several volumes will not violate the so-called constitutional separation of church and state. Physical science, the old science of cause and effect, will have a long-term sustainability, replacing irresponsible doctrines based on whim. Teachers and students will rejoice in the simplicity of earthly phenomena when entertained by the new discipline.

The Quest for Right is not only an academic resource designed for the public schools, but also contains a wealth of information on pertinent subjects that seminarians need to know to be effective: geology, biology, geography, astronomy, chemistry, paleontology, and in-depth Biblical studies. The nuggets from the pages of Biblical history alone will give seminarians literally hundreds of fresh ideas for sermons and teachings. The ministry resources contained in The Quest for Right serve as invaluable aids that will enrich graduates beyond their highest expectations.

You will not want to miss the adventure of a lifetime which awaits you in Volume 1 of The Quest for Right.

Visit the official website for additional information and to purchase a copy: http://questforright.com/

“A book that will change the world.” – Wayne Lin, Editor, Tate Publishing LLC

As usual, creationists cannot grasp the very simple fact that evolution does not address the development of the universe. Cosmology and physics, being poorly understood by them, get all muddled together with biological evolution. They don’t really care. It’s all science, and all the sciences are a big scary evil. If you believe all the evidence that nature provides, you’re left with little reason to shoehorn a god into the process.

Please note, Christians: disguising your ideas so as to make them resemble real science isn’t going to work. It’s too obvious. We’re aware of your tricks and will expose them for what they are at every opportunity. Stick to your faith. At least no atheist is going to challenge your right to believe anything you wish, no matter how ignorant of science it may be. But we will object to your frequent attempts to inject your 2000 year old mythology into school science classes.

And a geek-ish note to the author, C. David Parsons:  no serious author has an AOL email address.  That’s just another sign of your lack of credibility.  You have a domain, use an email address attached to it.  At least try to appear like you know what you’re doing.

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