Just want to give a nod to David Annis.
Our public education system has been under heavy assault by creationists for a long time now. For anyone unaware of this fact: I suggest you pay attention now. Texas already has a state law that prohibits teachers in science classes from failing students who submit answers that rely on religious belief. In science classes.
In a nut shell: a student must be given a passing grade if they say “god-did-it” when asked questions about things like biological evolution. Under these new laws a student who submits a paper “debunking” heliocentrism via biblical quotations (or a biology student who submits a paper “debunking” evolution by quoting genesis) would receive a passing mark.
As difficult as it is to believe, I’m not making this up! I’m afraid I’m just not that creative.
The Texas link goes to a discussion of the Florida bill – is that the right one?
Link confusion! Let me see if I can sort that out.
Ok, here are the links to the Texas law.
link 1
link 2
link 3
Texas and Florida are not the only states under assault by this legislation. Oklahoma has a version in their state legislature as well.
Oh crap. It’ll be phlogiston and the luminiferous aether next.
Apparently Louisiana has been afflicted too, although I would prefer to see that from a more reputable source than the Disco Institute. My guess is that these laws will either be totally ineffectual or will fall foul of the separation of church and state.
The Panda’s Thumb is the place to go to follow all this.
{ nods to Bob }
My own thought is that those laws are unconstitutional. Merkins seem to set a lot of store by their Constitution, so if I were teaching over there I’d say “Damn the torpedoes” and teach the science. I’m sure that if ever got to the litigious stage there’d be plenty of people willing to contribute to the defence fund.
Of course, most bloggers are less interested in doing the right thing and more in scoring cheap points off Creationists, so… shrug
You mean the internets and blogging are intended for something other than taking cheap-shots at people?
I do agree with you Richard, about the teaching. I also think that most public school teachers over this side o’ the big drink will give these laws the exact treatment they deserve. Some will follow them though, and it could take many years to get them struck down. If it happens at all, considering the members of our Supreme Court now.
The Florida bill has died of neglect, but Louisiana is going strong, alas.
(fixed the spelling for you)
Actually, that would make quite a good investment. Is the ACLU listed on the New York Stock Exchange?
Thanks for the update! Would have done it eventually, but the weekends are work-days. Bills to pay, stomach to feed, and all that.
Now lets hope the FL bill remains deceased.
They are unconstitutional and, as such, challengeable by law, surely. But someone has to bring a case. Aside from the absurdity of marking incorrect exam answers as correct, it makes a mockery of science and science-teaching, which should bother any scientist worth his/her mettle.