It's Simple: The Purpose of “Academic Freedom” Laws is to Promote Creationism

[HuckleB]

http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-purpose-of-academic-freedom-laws-is-to-promote-creationism/

"Ever since the theory of evolution won over the scientific community and became the established consensus scientific opinion, creationists have fought a cultural and legal war against it. They failed to win the scientific war, and they continue to do so.

This is not an uncommon tactic – if you lose in the arena of science, evidence, or facts, then fight in the arena of public opinion or regulation. Pseudoscientists are unfortunately savvy to this tactic.

In the case of evolution, creationists tried banning it’s teaching outright, which was eventually struck down as unconstitutional. So they demanded equal time, which was eventually struck down as unconstitutional (teaching religion as science in public schools). So they tried to disguise creationism as intelligent design, which didn’t fool anyone.

Now, in an attempt to further secularise their position in order to get around the first Amendment, they argue that schools should “teach the controversy” and that teachers should have the “academic freedom” to introduces the “strengths and weaknesses” of a scientific theory.

..."

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[HuckleB]

2. Are you saying you find the theory of evolution to be "most disturbing?"

Hmm.

[d_legendary1]

3. Waaaay too much religious freedom bills

The Supreme Court has to find these things unconstitutional. Fundies shouldn't be afforded extra rights.

[DetlefK]

4. I am all for discussing the strengths and weaknesses of creationism! Seriously!

Let students explore the awesome power of creationism:

- Let them design an experiment that can find out whether creationism is correct or incorrect. Creationism, not evolution. What outcome will mean that creationism is incorrect and what outcome will mean that it's correct?

- Then, they are delivered a biological problem and they are tasked with formulating a creationist hypothesis. That is, a creationist prediction on what the solution of the problem will be. ("If hunters kill all big-tusked elephants in a population, how will that influence tusk-size after many generations, according to the Bible?&quot

- Then, have them conduct an experiment and compare it to the creationist hypothesis.

- If the creationist prediction was wrong, creationism is wrong. If the creationist prediction was right, creationism is right.

[Archae]

5. Donchu know?

Any evidence for evolution is planted by Satan or God, to "lead us astray" or "test our faith."

[HuckleB]

6. Yup.

Still, I like the fun of the experiment.

[DetlefK]

9. "Mentions of evolution during "Creationism-week" will be punished with a failing grade."

As I said: Let's talk about creationism. Not evolution. Let's talk about what creationism can tell us and teach us when applied to actual problems.

[Igel]

7. Meh.

I've been around long enough to remember when other special interests fought for "academic freedom" for teachers.

It goes like this: "I want this taught, but a lot of people want to not have their kids exposed to it. They want to stop teachers from even being able to teach this. We need to protect teachers."

Because the flip side is, "Teachers can't be trusted to present this fairly, and, well, it's too dangerous an idea to allow youngsters to be exposed to these ideas. Therefore we have to stop them from discussing this and require that teachers present only the truth, which is what we say it is."

Now, this was moderately offensive when it looked at issues like racism and slavery, socialism and imperialism, and it was conservators into censorship and liberals into academic freedom.

Then it was people that were involved in culture wars, over various kinds of books. "Must ban this book." Back in the '70s one student got in trouble for daring to have a Bible, closed, visible during class time. Strictly banned. At other times, it was more secular literature.

Now it's creationism, clmate change, and other topics. You know, in a classroom where I have students say, "No, I'm a person, a human being, I'm not made of molecules" or a junior saying, "What, you mean girls don't produce sperm? They make eggs? Fuck--sorry--that means I could get pregnant!" this is just a non-issue.

In fact, the only time I've head to deal with Creationism it was swift and handled nicely, and it wasn't by somebody who believed it but somebody who just wanted to disrupt class.

[HuckleB]

8. .