please add a picture, can't from work.

As an atheist, it's always been my belief that evolution is the only thing that should be taught in a science class.

However, I see nothing wrong with teaching intelligent design in the context of a religion class. Of course, where all other religious explanations would also be discussed and studied.

Got you covered.

Thanks :) Don't know why it won't let me. Oh well.

C'mon guys, let's look on the bright side of this.

THIS BILL HAS JUST OPENED THE DOOR TO TEACHING PASTAFARIANISM IN LOUISIANA!

All hail his noodly appendage.

Intelligent Design,


The notion that science is too complex for some people to understand.

Worse, the idea that thinking should be easy.

Good find and an interesting article. I think it is an oversimplification (or simply an insult) to claim that someone who makes room for the possibility of ID is somehow lacking intellectually. Obviously after decades of teaching evolution as the only possibility many will resist other theories. To deny that there is much more at stake than what theory you believe in is also an oversimplification. The ramifications of which theory one ascribes to is probably a much bigger part of the equation than those who side on evolution are probably willing to admit. IMHO.

There are no other theories. There are other guesses. Guesses that don't have any evidence in their favor. Evolutionary Theory is the only working explanation that we have for our existence.

Edit: Please read this.

You say that like somehow 'theory' means 'maybe'.

The Creation/Evolution debate is worn out around here. As a friend of mine recently said, "If the horse is dead, dismount for crying out loud!" I was hoping to have the conversation from a different angle. I think that within the ranks of those who believe evolution are some who are afraid of the ramifications of the idea of a creator. Are you not willing to concede that point? And then to go a step further could you possibly even admit that you personally don't like the ramifications? Can we have a different conversation other than the one that has been done many times?

No offense in asking, but do you want to have a different conversation because you can't think of any counterpoints? Are you afraid of the ramifications of there not being a creator (wasting your life worshiping [I don't know if there are one or two p's in that], no afterlife, etc.)?

As for me being afraid of there being a creator, it all depends on what kind of creator it is. You can't just automatically assume that, if there is a creator, that it's the Christian one. For all anyone knows, it could be Odin, Baal, Thor, Kronus, Ptah, unicorns, faeries, and/or sentient frisbees.

Mersh, I've had this conversations more times than I can remember and have learned and forgotten more facts, points, counterpoints, and the like than is currently interesting to me. I've completely settled the issue for myself. You have stated before that you do it for the pleasure you derive from the debate. I may be wrong, but I'm under the impression that you think there is no debate, there are only the informed and the willfully ignorant. You believe purely in the natural, with the exception of the miracle of spontaneous life :P (JK I know that is not a true evolutionary view), and spend your time in the study of that. I believe there is an order that is above the natural, the supernatural, and that that supernatural order is God. I spend my time studying theology so that I might have a better understanding of Him and his ways. So rather than have a discussion that has for me lost its... value, I would rather talk about something that for me goes deeper.

I don't think this hinges on the debate of Evolution vs. Creationism. I think the idea being given is that we as a society of free human beings should be allowed to ponder out loud everything that we may agree or disagree with. That's the argument on hand with this legislation and I think that's a much more important issue than just E vs. C.

I am strictly evolution all the way, but I'd like to live in a world where it (and any topic) can be constantly questioned and scrutinized, just like I am so willing to do with Religion. I don't really think these two ideas are compatible to compare with each other, but I'm up for the argument.

Consider this, sometime ago, a teacher was convicted and sentenced to a lengthy prison term because he taught his scientific belief, which at the time was widely unpopular and considered treason. When you hear this story, you can't possibly think "good for the government for shutting that guy up for exploring his beliefs." Later in life, of course, we'd find out that "Galileo guy" might have been on to something when he said the Earth may not be the center of the universe.

Like I say, Evolution all the way, baby. But if we stop allowing people to challenge our ideas, I feel like we're skipping out on one of the more important traits of scientific research. I say let them question evolution and Darwinian concepts openly in public so that those in-the-know can defend it. Let them teach Creationism if need be, so that we can rip it apart, piece by piece. But what we CANNOT do is take away the right for these types of discussions to take place.

Now, all this being said, I'm all for religion in schools so long as it ranks up there with shop and home ec. If it becomes a class requirement, then I may have to start preaching Darwin at the local churches...you know, just to be fair. "Sorry people, but you can't get into Heaven until you can tell me the initial species of bird that Darwin used to formulate his theory on Evolution."

I see no reason for someone to have downvoted your comment. Regardless of anyone's agreement / disagreement with with your opinion, it was well stated and not offensive.

Thank you for the kind approval. I try to be as passive as possible in these types of discussions. Perhaps the person that voted my submission down was in fact upset with my Darwinian lean. Who knows.

I don't care if ID is taught in philosophy, religion, or marketing. It is NOT science and should not be introduced as such.

Amen! er..I mean....YES!