Evolution vs. Creationism

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Posted: 3:46 PM Jan 11, 2008
Last Updated: 9:27 PM Jan 11, 2008
Reporter: Chris Casquejo

11 comments

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Evolution could be coming to your children’s science classrooms. A panel of education experts just wrapped up three days of meetings at the state Department of Education to hammer out new standards. The state Board of Education will have the final say next month.

The way science is taught in Florida public school classrooms could soon change. Right now, the state science curriculum uses the words “biological changes over time” instead of “evolution".

Biology teacher Nicholas Daigle believes the current standards shortchange students.

“It’s very hard to teach good biological science without mentioning evolution. It’s one of the basic underpinnings of modern biological science.

A panel of more than 50 educators met over the past three days to hammer out the finishing touches on the new science standards.

Since work began on the new standards last May, the state Department of Education has heard from more than 10,000 people. Many believe that evolution should be taught as just one theory. They want the state board to include alternatives, such as intelligent design.

Mary Jane Tappen from the Department of Education says the board will take it all into consideration.

“There are multiple view to include evolution, the theory of evolution, to not include it, to include it and other theories. So they’ll get all those facts."

Governor Charlie Crist is taking a wait and see attitude.

“I think the way it’s been handled historically in Florida is probably appropriate. It’s been introduced and discussed in terms of being a theory. I don’t know if there’s a need for a change in that. But I’ll leave the decision to the board.”

The State Board of Education will vote on the new standards on February 19th. Public comment on the Florida Department of Education’s website ended on December 14th.

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Posted by: Sunny Location: Florida on Feb 24, 2008 at 05:00 PM
To the previous comment: ID is a belief and therefore requires no facts. It is an opinion offered as an alternative to a faulty theory. Evolution, while holding many components that have a strong possibility, can not and has not been proven. Fossil records have been shown, by the same scientific community, to be, in many cases, completely inaccurate- such as in the radioisotope dating from Mt. Ngauruhoe, which proposed that volcanic flow known to be around 50 years of age, was over a million years old. As for your issues with the "cherry-picking" of biblical evidence, a true look into Christian beliefs or a study of the New Testament would inform you that, through the life and death of Jesus Christ, Christians believe that the teachings of the Old Testament were made false and unnecessary. What is cherry-picking, however, is picking out a single verse without reading the context or follow-up to explain its meaning. Everyone deserves respect for their views whether you agree with them or not. Maybe you should look into possible errors in your own theories before you criticize those of others.

Posted by: Stop the Insanity Location: PA on Jan 18, 2008 at 01:08 PM
To those arguing for ID: At it's core, science is really about intellectual honesty. Scientists will change their views when the evidence demands it. So, it is very dishonest of you to say: "There is no proof of evolution" when scientists consider it fact, overwhelmingly supported by the fossil record and genetic research. "Something can't come from nothing, so God created the universe", and when shown that the same logic means that God can't come from nothing either, say "God is different" "ID is a valid scientific theory" even after you've been told that a scientific theory explains accepted facts about empirical observations and does not mean "opinion". "Teach the controversy" when there is none. "The bible is the literal word of god", then cherry-pick the "good stuff" and ignore technical/historical errors and horrific biblical teachings such as "Kill those who don't believe in Me" or "You may sell your daughter into slavery". You deserve no respect for these views.

Posted by: BobC Location: Margate, Florida on Jan 12, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Earl said "Evolution should be taught, but not as the sole topic. Either of the main choices is a matter of belief and neither should be given preference over the other." That sounds fair except for the fact everything you said is wrong. Evolution is not a matter of belief. Evolution is not an opinion. Evolution is a scientific fact, supported by powerful and rapidly growing evidence. The alternative, god-did-it, is not scientific, has been proven wrong, does not have any evidence, and does not belong in a science class. Keep religious myths out of our science classes. In return science teachers will keep science out of churches.

Posted by: BobC Location: Margate, Florida on Jan 12, 2008 at 09:42 PM
gramma: "Evolution of animals may be supported by science. Evolution of animals into man can NOT." gramma, you don't know anything about science. That's why scientists should and did write the new science standards. I'm disappointed in what Governor Charlie Crist said. He sounds like a know-nothing evolution-denier. I don't think he even knows what a scientific theory is. I hope I'm wrong, but he sure sounds like an anti-science governor. What's wrong with Florida? We have school boards infested with incompetent creationists who want to destroy science education, and even our governor seems to know nothing about science.

Posted by: Earl Location: Marianna, FL. on Jan 12, 2008 at 09:33 AM
Evolution should be taught, but not as the sole topic. Either of the main choices is a matter of belief and neither should be given preference over the other.

Posted by: David Location: Atlanta on Jan 12, 2008 at 09:23 AM
There is a new discipline on the scene: physical science, the old science of cause and effect. The backbone of Darwinism is not biological evolution per se, but electronic interpretation, the tenet that all physical, chemical, and biological processes result from a change in the electron structure of the atom which, in turn, may be deciphered through the orderly application of mathematics, as outlined in quantum mechanics. The philosophy rejects any divine intervention. Therefore, let the philosophy of Darwinism be judged on these specifics: electron interpretation and quantum mechanics. Conversely, the view that God is both responsible for and rules all the phenomena of the universe will stand or fall when the facts are applied. The view will not hinge on faith alone, but will be tested by the weightier principle of verifiable truths – the new discipline. For more information, visit The Quest for Right website: http://questforright.com

Posted by: Paul Location: Alameda, CA (a n island in San Francisco Bay on Jan 11, 2008 at 08:45 PM
In 1987 the US Supreme Court ruled that creationism can't be taught in public schools because it is religion. Whether it's called creationism or "creation science" or intelligent design creationism, it's still religion. Intelligent design creationism is not (and cannot be) an "alternative" to evolution, or biology, or science. It is a pseudo-science, trying to sound and appear "scientific" but not actually using the scientific method. It's a hoax, foisted upon naive / gullible people by non-scientists and ex-scientists. Intelligent design creationism is being pushed by Christian apologists who mistakenly feel that science opposes or threatens their Bible-based view of reality, and thus must be destroyed. If you want your plentiful good food and clean drinking water and medications and electronics and all the other advances of modern science and technology to go away, allowing creationism into the classroom is a good first step. Enjoy the New Dark Ages!

Posted by: Ronald Harris Location: Apalachicola fl. on Jan 11, 2008 at 08:30 PM
{Water war} Georgia has 1051 feet water at BUFORD DAM lake lanier . At westpoint lake 627 feet. Georgia should share water with FLORIDA to protect the Apalachicola bay. Apalachicola bay is more important than real estate sales along lake lanier.

Posted by: gramma Location: springfield on Jan 11, 2008 at 06:13 PM
Evolution of animals may be supported by science. Evolution of animals into man can NOT. There is no "missing link." This fact needs to be provided to all students. If schools refuse to do this, students should not be subjected to this misleading information. Scientists are incredibly conceited. They insist that because they found a small bit of truth it is all the truth there is. No man can know all that God does and live to tell about it. "Ever learning and never able to come to a knowledge of the truth." (2 Tim. 3:7)This is the prophecy given that describes the condition of the Earth directly previous to Christ's return, and it is so. The entire third chapter of 2 Timothy is highly revealing of our day and time.