ACLU: Rio Rancho teachers can refuse to teach intelligent design

[davidinalameda]

http://www.freenewmexican.com/news/33957.html

The American Civil Liberties Union of New Mexico has advised science teachers in Rio Rancho that they do not have to discuss or teach a theory called intelligent design, and that they should contact the ACLU if they're disciplined for refusing.

The Rio Rancho school board in August adopted a policy allowing alternative theories of evolution to be discussed in science classes.

The policy was proposed by board member and full-time pastor Don Schlichte, who said it follows scientific principals of critical thinking and "opens the door for more academic freedom."

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. Glad to hear it. I have no trouble telling my kids at home that I think

God kick-started the universe, but I see no reason why this should be part of a public school's curriculum.

[Zenlitened]

2. What IS 'Intelligent Design'?

Can anyone out there explain ID to me without using the words "Darwin" or "evolution"?

:shrug:

[LiberalVoice]

3. Easy. One word.

Creationism.

In short the "theory" suggests that nature is too complicated and that a "Higher Power" must have contributed in order for the human race to evolve.

I would like to add that from what I have read their is not an ounce of evidence to suggest this and, as usual all the RW pieces of shit had to do was call it by a flashy name to kickstart the debate all over again.

[RaleighNCDUer]

4. BZZZT!

You said the word 'evolve'!

Disqualified!

[frogmarch]

6. I would

pull my kids out of a class in which the teacher taught ID.

When my kids were in middle school, their science teacher told the pupils to staple together all the pages in the textbook that discussed evolution, so that they'd not be tempted to read them. I complained to the school board, to no avail, but my kids didn't staple the pages together. He didn't teach creationism, but he was obviously a creationist.

The teacher's trick backfired, because his demand made all the kids eager to read the pages about evolution.

[TheFarseer]

7. here's my understanding

It is not similar to creationism at all. The Earth has come to this point not by random chance and natural selection, but because of the design of the creator - God. God created the Earth and mutates the creatures on it according to his grand sceme. For example Neanderthals did not die out because modern Humans "out-competed" them for resources and and drove them to extinction, but rather because that was God's design. Pelican's beaks did not mutate to their shape because it was better for fishing, but rather because God wanted it that way. It's really a very convincing argument if you ask me :eyes:

[havocmom]

5. How would the Rev. Schlichte respond to teachers allowing discussions

of some or all of the OTHER creation myths of cultures throughout history? Bet he would have a shit fit if many of them were valid in a discussion of how it all started? Bet he would slam that "door for more academic freedom" pr-etty fast.
:evilgrin: Krishna made me do it