AGU: President Confuses Science and Belief, Puts Schoolchildren at Risk

[shireen]

*** PRESS RELEASE ***

American Geophysical Union
2 August 2005
AGU Release No. 05-28
For Immediate Release

AGU: President Confuses Science and Belief,
Puts Schoolchildren at Risk

Contact: Harvey Leifert
[phone]
[e-mail]

WASHINGTON - "President Bush, in advocating that the concept
of "intelligent design' be taught alongside the theory of evolution,
puts America's schoolchildren at risk," says Fred Spilhaus,
Executive Director of the American Geophysical Union.
"Americans will need basic understanding of science in order to
participate effectively in the 21st century world. It is essential that
students on every level learn what science is and how scientific
knowledge progresses."

In comments to journalists on August 1, the President said that
"both sides ought to be properly taught." "If he meant that
intelligent design should be given equal standing with the theory of
evolution in the nation's science classrooms, then he is
undermining efforts to increase the understanding of science,"
Spilhaus said in a statement. "Intelligent design' is not a scientific
theory." Advocates of intelligent design believe that life on Earth is
too complex to have evolved on its own and must therefore be the
work of a designer. That is an untestable belief and, therefore,
cannot qualify as a scientific theory."

"Scientific theories, like evolution, relativity and plate tectonics,
are based on hypotheses that have survived extensive testing and
repeated verification," Spilhaus says. "The President has
unfortunately confused the difference between science and belief. It
is essential that students understand that a scientific theory is not a
belief, hunch, or untested hypothesis."

"Ideas that are based on faith, including "intelligent design,' operate
in a different sphere and should not be confused with science.
Outside the sphere of their laboratories and science classrooms,
scientists and students alike may believe what they choose about
the origins of life, but inside that sphere, they are bound by the
scientific method," Spilhaus said.

AGU is a scientific society, comprising 43,000 Earth and space
scientists. It publishes a dozen peer reviewed journal series and
holds meetings at which current research is presented to the
scientific community and the public.

**********

[shireen]

1. and don't forget the truth that must be taught at all Kansas schools....

The Universe was created by the almighty Flying Spaghetti Monster.
http://www.venganza.org/

[wli]

2. messing up science is not the only issue with it

Church/state separation issues, favoritism toward a particular sect of Christianity (which isn't even representative of Christianity in general), favoritism of Christianity over other religions, etc.

[rodeodance]

4. yes, you are right.

[BlueJazz]

3. I can imagine Thousands of Science Teachers are just...

... appalled at the stupidity of this so-called Leader.
I can also imagine someone like Al Gore, (If asked about teaching this "Stuff") saying...You got to be $%#@# Kidding"...

[HockeyMom]

5. PARENTS have the last word

as when they tried to have "moment of silence" in my daughter's HS, CHRISTIAN prayers at graduation, and the kids walked out and the parents SUPPORTED them, they cannot FORCE RELIGION on kids when the parents are objecting to it.

Unless, of course, they want to turn this country in a H.... Youth Corps. and take these kids away from their "unpatriotic, bad liberal parents".

[electron_blue]

7. sadly, thousands of teachers are happy to see this

which is what we've all come to. By the time I see students in my college sciences courses, they cannot explain what science is, not in a way that remotely comes close.

They usually sputter something like "science is a collection of known facts" or "science claims to be the truth". Almost nothing from them about science being a method.

I know science teachers (usually not high school science teachers, usually elementary or middle school) and school board members who are happy that creationism and ID are taking their "rightful place" along evolution as "search for truth". Let the students decide for themselves.

If you do not know how to think scientifically - at least at the very minimal level - you will not be adept at picking up on all the horsehockey going on in the white house today. If you ask me, that is the real reason Bush likes ID/creationism.

eta: major woohoo going out to the AGU for taking a stand on this. Where are the other scientific unions and societies?

If you are a member of one, I suggest you write them urging them to make an official remark on Bush's statement. I'll be writing mine.

[Maple]

6. Well if he wants to do that

there are about 3 dozen different beliefs in how the world was started, from various religions and cultures...why is he only favoring the rightwing American Christian one?

This would be why evolution is the only one taught in science class.

[greyl]

8. 3 dozen? That doesn't sound right. nt

[Maple]

9. Well here's a few

http://www.magictails.com/creationlinks.html

[Desertrose]

11. Thanks for this link, Maple

Its nice to have all the Indigenous peoples creation myths all together,

Cool website!

[Maple]

12. Heh...sort of a starter collection page

I've heard of others that aren't listed there, but that site certainly shows there are far more than people realize.

[greyl]

13. Yeah, I found that sight when searching on the topic.

It appears that you've jumped to the unwarranted conclusion that I think 36 was too high a number. On the contrary it's way too low.
I would expect to find at least 36 on several continents.

Keep searching.

[Maple]

15. As I said...

it's a starter site.

Finding the rest is up to you.

I'm not into mythology.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

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[Name removed]

17. Deleted message

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[Desertrose]

10. Its clear that they don't want US kids to think for think for themselves

If you don't give them the option to think critically and give them all the facts, makes it so much easier to control them.

we need to get bush and religion out of the gov't & educational system.

[greyl]

14. This makes it even more clear, yeah.

But it's been going on at some degree for decades, right?

Did you ever get the feeling that compulsory education to age 18 is to keep a huge segment of the population out of the job market while they spend their parents money in the market?

[shireen]

18. yeah, this is the Descent of Man

If we keep following Georgie's trend, we'll soon be swinging from trees, foraging for roots and berries, and killing the wilderbeest with arrows and stones.

[greyl]

19. No, it's the Descent of Our Culture.

or collapse, really.

It may help your hopefullness meter to remember that "we" are not "humanity". We're just a poor role model in too many cases.

[BedRock]

20. Maybe Bush Likes

Intelligent Design over evolution for two reasons.

First, evolution is a theory based on facts and discovery and evidence. It also demands analytical thought. We know he is incapable of this. Therefore, "the Big Guy" did it is much easier for him to handle.

Second, the theory of evolution is personally threatening to Bush. After all, evolution points out the close relationship between species through adaptation and mutation. Now then, evolution would demonstrate this close relationship when applied to Bush...the Chimp.