Re: Georgia and the "E" word

Classic double-speak, IMHO, reflecting political cowardice. I wonder what
term they intend to substitute for the concept they do plan to teach.
"Natural selection-based speciation"?

Bad in the long term for science, in that Georgian students would graduate
from high school without knowing a key vocabulary word that most colleges
will expect them to know. Worse in the long term for those opposing
evolution on religious grounds, since during it into a "dirty word" only
reinforces the (IMHO erroneous) notion that evolution threatens religion.

I am reminded of those who think federal funding of religious programs will
be more palatable to the public if they are called "faith-based
initiatives." Those who support them would still support them if they were
called by their proper name: "religious." Those who oppose them see through
the double-speak and still oppose them.

Those who support the teaching of evolutionary theory have no reason to
object to the name. Those who oppose it are opposed to a concept, not a
word.

Louise (Emory grad and also a Jimmy Carter fan!)

-----Original Message-----
From: douglas.hayworth@perbio.com
To: asa@calvin.edu
Date: Wed, 4 Feb 2004 09:41:33 -0600
Subject: Georgia and the "E" word

> Any comments or insights on the recent debate in Georgia about avoiding
> use
> of the word "evolution" in school textbooks?
>
> I must say that I can understand Kathy Cox's reasons for wanting to
> avoid
> the word itself (but not the actual teaching of the topic) because it
> turns
> people off before they have studied the biology and evidence, etc.
> However, based on the reaction, her proposal seems to have backfired.
>
> I was somewhat surprised and impressed that Jimmy Carter made a
> statement
> about the affair (apparently in support of keeping full treatment of
> evolution by name as well as content). I can't say that I am in any way
> an
> expert on Jimmy Carter, but I am usually impressed by what I hear about
> him
> when his name comes up in the news. Here's a Christian who seems to
> have
> his head screwed on correctly!
>
> Douglas
Received on Wed Feb 4 11:17:55 2004