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Hey! It's not my fault everyone who lives within me is a religious retard! Why not pick on Oklahoma for a change?

Jesus said that the meek shall inherit the earth. Not the idiots. I don't know how that got mixed up.

And I don't know about anyone else out there, but I'm really getting sick and tired of people forcing me to live according to their mythological belief.

Greetings,

I would love to see, just once, someone write in a commentary something akin to what John Royal wrote: but I'm really getting sick and tired of people forcing me to live according to their mythological belief.

Followed by: And here's what I'm going to DO about it! First....

I swear if I had half a red cent for every sentence begun by some outraged person 'I'm really tired' I'd have enough money to hire Bill Gates as my personal umbrella stand.

This Dr. Don McLeroy has been around since at least '98 pulling bonejobs all around the clock and he's STILL there. Well, do what my state did when the government tried to do something colossally stupid and mostly without our say so- Raise Holy Hell!

There's not super coliding super colider in upstate New York now is there? And I assure you this: It certainly didn't happen by a bunch of us being 'tired' all the time.

Sheesh, just because one is an advocate of reason doesn't mean they have to be reasonable all the time; the creationists are certainly not dipping their wick in the real-world inkwell, why should you?

-MH

The poll results seem to have reversed themselves:

Would you support creation being taught in public schools along with the theory of evolution?

Yes
33.72 %

No
66.28 %

This got farked and already the poll has turned around 67-33 Oppose Creation being taught along side evolution.

Why do they need to teach Creationism, anyway? What's there to teach? "Today we're going to learn about Creationism, a belief which states that the Universe and everything in it was created by Go-um, I mean an intelligent force. That does it for today's lesson. Just work on homework or sit and read quietly for the rest of the hour."

I resent the description of Dr. Don McLeroy as a conservative. A true conservative knows that McLeroy and people of his ilk are not conservatives, they're radicals no different than the Islamic Clerics who want nothing more than to codify religion into law....Goldwater, now there's a conservative.

Dr. McLeroy is a Christian conservative, just like Governor 39%. The two of them, and many thousands of others, are intent upon using the mechanisms of government, and particularly the school textbook selection process, as a means to impose their personal and religious beliefs on others by force of law. They are quite clear about it, believing they are doing God's will. McLeroy and the other religious conservatives on the SBOE are there because most Texans don't pay attention to those down-ballot races. They are there as part of a deliberate and so far successful campaign by the Religious Right. We weren't paying attention, and so now we have to continue to do battle with these troglodytes.

Texas Gov. Perry following in footsteps of
biased, anti-scientific thinking espoused
by G.W. Bush. It will take a generation
of sane thinking by leaders to overcome the
damage. Maybe more becaause of the power
of Baptist and other Religious Rightists in
Texas. Baptists imitating actions of the
Islamics.

Take him OUT!!!

Will someone PLEASE make the Babtists stop?

They think this place is their little playground -- BUT IT ISN'T!

If you don't want to face FACTS, drop out of school.

Stop trying to make our children into morons like yours.

Years ago I was taught to keep in mind these three things when dealing with difficult situations or people:

1) Address the issue, action or behavior, not the person.

2) Maintain the self-respect & self-esteem of others.

3) Seek to make things better.

So here's my suggestion:

Go ahead Texas & teach our kids the theory of Creationism ... but also give equal time to the theories of Aethism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, Catholicism, Protestantism, etc. & so forth.

Make this study a part of a social studies curriculum, not a science one, and encourage our kids to intelligently contrast & compare all the various theories regarding the formation of our universe & its creatures therein according to each & every one of these -isms.

If that doesn't stir up the pot, well, I don't know what will!

The Authentication of Genesis!!

On or before August 15, 2007, a book is scheduled to be published.
It’s title is “Moses Didn’t Write About Creation!!”, written by
Ephraim. The “Big Bang” and evolution theories, plus the doctrines
of current creationist factions, shall be exposed as being in error.

After fifteen years, the truth of Genesis will finally be available to
the public, blowing all previous attempts to explain Genesis
"out of the water". This book will be the most notable biblical
authentication since the Dead Sea Scrolls. It is the first and only
book written that explains the difference between the “six days of
Moses” and the “seven days of Creation Week”.

It is also the only book to completely explain the events that lead to
the Extra-Celestial Civil War, also known as “the war in Heaven”.
Comprehensive coverage of the war is given, when it ended, and how
it affected the ancient history of our universe.

Finally, it explains the Messiahship of Jesus, and reveals how He was
really half Judean (for royalty) and half Levite (for priesthood). It also
explains to non-believers the sanctity of God’s marriage to Israel, and
why Jesus had to die first before the gospel could be preached to gentiles.

The ISBN is 1-4241-8220-4.

Herman Cummings
PO Box 1745
Fortson GA, 31808
Ephraim7@aol.com

What can I say? Stupid is easier.

B.Root, thats a grea idea. lets just teach everything.

Did you know science still doesn't know exactly what gravity is - is it a particle, a wave, simply a property of matter, or an effect of super strings?
All we have is theories, but we can use those theories to make predictions and so we hold them to be true. It could very well be that god simply wills all things to fall towards each other. Why don’t we teach the gravity is actually a pulling force by kept in place by an intelligent being? Or that light is simply the substance of god?

Isn’t that legitimate? We don't need real explanations anymore; let’s go back to the dark ages again - where magic, superstition, gods and goddesses ruled. Sounds great. All viewpoints must be covered - hey did I mention I believe a fairy in the center of our sun -not a nuclear reaction- is what makes the sun burn. Shouldn’t my beliefs receive equal time? No? Can you prove there isn’t a fairy at the center of the sun?

Teach it in Social studies my ear - teach your ignorance in church, schools are made for people who want to free themselves from ignorance.

sorry for the rant, but seriously folks!

Ah, but you miss the point ...

What's wrong with the socially progressive State of Texas stepping out from the rest of the pack & allowing our progeny to actually study the social originations & implications of all the various theories regarding how we got here in the first place?

Wouldn't that help reduce our ignorance quotient regarding one another & why we (as a species) think, act, and behave here as we do?

I think it would be the foundation of a GREAT social studies curriculum ... cuz nothin' gets folks riled up around here like discussing some good old fashioned religion, er, theories!

Besides, I'd really like to read little Johnnies paper comparing & contrasting the evolutionary theory, the Flying Spaghetti Monster theory, Ephraim's theory & your fairy tale theory too.

By George, wouldn't that be a challenge for our kids!

Seriously, tho', why not take all this a step further & truly impress upon our kids that there are all sorts of theories, thoughts & ideas in this world about what is right, what is wrong, what is good, what is evil, etc. & so forth ... and it is EXACTLY this sort of social interchange that makes us uniquely special among ALL living creatures.

If we could learn (as children) how to discuss these things (as adults) without taking it all 'personally' how much better then our world would truly be ...

The problem, B.Root, is that teaching these things in a social studies class is unacceptable. The goal is to teach the Bible in science classes along side evolution, with the ultimate goal of removing any teaching that contradicts the Bible from science classes. And they are not talking about just ID and evolution. There are fake scientists waiting in the wings with scientific proof that people lived along side dinosaurs, and Jupiter's moons are only 5,ooo years old. When you see this country becoming a backward, ignorant, third world nation, how can you expect us to react calmly and reasonably?

How can I calmly & reasonably watch this potential dumbing down of Texas (& our country) happen?

Well, I guess cuz it seems to me that it would be the perfect opportunity to teach our kids to explore, question & challenge (maturely & intelligently) any & all things that are handed to them on a silver platter as the truth, the whole truth & nothing but the truth ... whether or not it is called religion or science or anything else AND whether or not it is taught in a place of learning or in a place of worship.

As the saying goes, don't give them a fish, rather teach them to fish ...

"to teach our kids to explore, question & challenge (maturely & intelligently) any & all things that are handed to them on a silver platter as the truth, the whole truth & nothing but the truth ... whether or not it is called religion or science"

Science has a built in system for change. Anyone can challenge the established norms in science, but you better have the proof to back up your claims. Vague generalities and accusations of a conspiracy to keep you quite doesn't cut it. Religion and the fake science it promotes does not do this.
I'm getting the feeling that you are in favor of teaching the old testament in a science class and that you see "science" as just another religion.

Well, actually, all I'd really like to see is just more folks capable of discussing these things without judging/prejudging one another and/or taking it all personally.

Yes, this is difficult thing to do; & yes, it is an emotional minefield too.

But are we mature enough yet to truly listen to each other, and then still respect one another, even after we agree to disagree?

As for me, I still believe in the democratic process established by our forefathers such that every citizen in our country has voice (& a vote) to make a difference. If we don't like what our leaders are doing, well then, we have the power to change them out.

[Of course, it might be best to actually wait & see which way this decision goes before casting the votes. Afterall, one wouldn't want to vote out the 'wrong' guy, ya know!]

As a parent, though, what I really believe we need to be focused on is teaching our kids how to think for themselves & how to stand up for their own beliefs, while still being respectful of others.

In this way, they can grow up to become mature enough to follow their own hearts & minds (even if it is down the road less
traveled!) and yet still be open-minded (& open-hearted) enough to realize that the 'truth' can be found in many places & frequently has many faces.

We humans are, by our very nature, extremely creative & inquisitive creatures.

So, I'm willing to bet that, given more time & enough mature, open-minded people around here, we could find a way to coexist on this planet without destroying one another (& everything around us) on account of religion or politics or anything else.

That is really all I have to say ...

Science is not a democracy. No one gets to vote on if gravity works or whether the Earth travels around the Sun or not. If you make a claim, it has to be able to stand up to rigorous scrutiny through the scientific process. Not what their "heart and mind" tells them what the "truth" must be. Save that for Philosophy class. It doesn't belong in a science class.

Ah, so I think we've agreed then ... put it in a social studies class (or a philosophy one, either way), and move on then, Texas.

What I find funny are people who talk about teaching another viewpoint as "dumbing down." Whether you agree with it or not, I don't see how learning another viewpoint is dumbing down. In fact, usually the opposite is true. If its such a fairy tale, why the hostile opposition and near juvenile responses? I can understand the desire not to mix religion with schools. I certainly wouldn't want my children indoctrinated with Islam. But, from a text point of view, I wouldn't mind my children being exposed to the Koran. Its a delicate balance, but you can teach historical texts (let's face it, the bible is an historical text) without preaching religion. BUt I guess that would be "dumbing" down our kids. Yeah, not exposing them to forces that have driven our history for the past thousands of years will be dumbing down our kids. Our kids read about the texts from Lenin, a failed social experiment.

On the contrary, being exposed to more things (not limiting that exposure) is what advances us. Whether or not its "real" is another question entirely and I agree, its a matter of faith and best left to the churches. Hell, I wouldn't want our bureacrats teaching religion. Government is not good for much, let alone teaching religion. Yeah, let's live out whole chunks of human history b/c our kids may *gasp* hear Jesus uttered. And, if I recall, calling something stupid, a fairy tale, etc is not a valid logical argument. Dumbing down? I think we are already there.

Billy-
Teach whatever you like in a comparative religion class or a philosophy class, but the Old Testament doesn't belong in a science class. And make no mistake about it, that is what the Governor of Texas and the Christian Fundamentalists are trying to do.

Its a great idea. Teach all the theories not just one.

The biggest problem with what Texas is doing is the loss of critical thinking when these kids grow up. They simply will not have the skills to solve problems. The dogma they are taught will restrict their imagination and creativity. These kids will not be able to consider concepts beyond the limits which are now being created (No pun intended). Consider the simple book. The text books on which this so called creationism theory are printed are a result of engineering, less commonly known as applied science. None of the technology that humans used to create those text books was divinely created. All that technology for printing a book required just plain hard work, trial and error, repeatable results, and ultimately peer review (ie customer acceptance); the guts of science. If we could get an almighty being to make this stuff for us, boy would it save a lot of time!

"Lord, won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz"

But if we can understand how these things (evolution) work, demonstrate on even a short time frame that such changes occur (antibiotic resist TB, staph, et cetera), we can also engineer it. We can make viruses to re-arrange DNA, modify genes (make mice see a color they cannot normally see), and do all sorts of magic. Maybe we humans are the Intelligent Designers.

"One man's magic is another man's technology"

Are men the dreams of god, or is god the dreams of men?

Fundamentalism is excuse for not thinking, for not questioning, for not being skeptical; it is the cheap and easy way out of a difficult question. Can't explain why, god did it.

Maybe we humans have not evolved as much as we thought we have.