Which Public Schools Teach Creationism to Kids (Map)

[pokerfan]

In recognition of the Bill Nye - Ken Ham debate, I'm putting this in GD.

Slate put together this map, as well as an accompanying state-by-state breakdown, of what's going on in science classes around the country — and the laws and ordinances that govern them. Louisiana and Tennessee both have state laws allowing public schools to opt out of teaching evolution, but, as the map shows, that's not the only way that creationism can make it into the classroom. The public schools teaching creationism are shown in green — but there's also charter schools (shown in red) and private schools that receive tax-funded vouchers (in orange).
http://io9.com/a-map-showing-which-u-s-public-schools-teach-creationi-1515717148

[A HERETIC I AM]

1. Well, if anything, this stupid debate is confirming my Atheism.

And even though I live in Florida and graduated HS in Miami, I am happy to say that none of that nonsense was presented in any science class I ever took.

[RKP5637]

4. I just can't comprehend sitting in class and listening to this bullshit. They should save it for

the pulpit. Schools are not the place for teaching of superstitions. Until this bullshit started I was neutral on religion and not religious myself. Anymore, I view religion as among one of the most dangerous forces in societies. And, the way they promote themselves is with mind bending propaganda often upon the innocent. If it was so fucken great, people would flock to it, but often they always push religion on people. They are like parasites.

[RKP5637]

2. As humanity moves forward, some will be left behind clinging to superstitious behavior and

trying to indoctrinate others to believe as they do, such is the case with Creationism. It's concerning to think in the 21st century this bullshit continues, and well documents the "Idiocracy" of some, often in positions authority. Worse, they are trashing youths' minds and ill equipping them with tools needed in the 21st century for survival of the species.

[Warpy]

3. One benefit of living in a Catholic majority state

is that this horseshit never makes it through the lege. Meanwhile, there was a story on local news that said NM is the top state for Hispanic AP exam scores. It's a poor state where teachers have to cope with a dozen languages between tribal people and immigrants, so this is a remarkable achievement.

The big bible creation fantasy states are making themselves into third rate education systems for any kid who wants to go on to a real university.

[RKP5637]

5. And, they will sound like blithering fools to the rest of earth. n/t

[IllinoisBirdWatcher]

6. Isn't Louisiana a Catholic majority state?

[Warpy]

9. It used to be

Not so much, now, or they'd never have allowed this. Evolution has become part of approved church doctrine.

[IllinoisBirdWatcher]

11. Thanks, I didn't realize that. Was surprised by the map.

[dreamnightwind]

12. Curious, so I looked it up

Louisiana is slightly more catholic than the national average, according to Pew (there might be a better source). Overall it has more protestants than catholics, though that appears to be the case nationally.

http://religions.pewforum.org/maps

Tennessee, on the other hand, which is the other preferred home of creationists, is far more protestant.

So it's not clear to me if there's a relationship to catholic/protestant in teaching creationism. There might be other metrics which would tease out more of a clear cause/effect, such as liberal/conservative, I don't know.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

7. My computer isn't cooperating... is that one in Maryland?

PG County, Charles? Bleepin' vouchers.

[pokerfan]

10. Looks like it (nt)

[grahamhgreen]

8. OMFG! They are teaching the Hopi creation story in all those schools!!!! Amazing!

In the beginning there were only two: Tawa, the Sun God, and Spider Woman (Kokyanwuhti), the Earth Goddess. All the mysteries and the powers in the Above belonged to Tawa, while Spider Woman controlled the magic of the Below. There was neither man nor woman, bird nor beast, no living thing until these Two willed it to be. In time they decided there should be other gods to share their labors, so Tawa divided himself and there came Muiyinwuh, God of All Life Germs and Spider Woman divided herself and there came Huzruiwuhti, Woman of the Hard Substances (turquoise, silver, coral, shell,etc.). Huzruiwuhti became the wife of Tawa and with him produced Puukonhoya, the Youth, and Palunhoya, the Echo, and later, Hicanavaiya, Man-Eagle, Plumed Serpent and many others. Then did Tawa and Spider Woman have the Great Thought, they would make the Earth to be between the Above and the Below. As Tawa thought the features of the Earth, Spider women formedthem from clay. Then did Tawa think of animals and beasts and plants, all the while Spider Woman formed them from the clay. At last they decided they had enough, then they made great magic and breathed life into their creatures. Now Tawa decided they should make creatures in their image to lord over all the rest. Spider Woman again formed them from clay. Again the Two breathed life into their creations. Spider Woman called all the people so created to follow where she led. Through all the Four Great Caverns of the Underworld she led them, until they finally came to an opening, a sipapu, which led to the earth above.