Re: Cobb County

>One of the main problems with this & similar "warnings" is that they pick
>out evolution as something uniquely controversial.  There are (AFAIK) no
>warning labels about the germ theory of disease, relativity theory, the
>theory of plate tectonics, &c.  So what these labels do is to tell students
>that they should be _more_ critical of evolution than of other theories.  &
>for many students they will convey the message that evolution doesn't have
>to be taken seriously because it's "just a theory."
>A similar thing has been done here in Ohio with a supplemental lesson plan
>that supposedly teaches critical thinking in science but in reality can be
>used to teach students that evolution should come in for special criticism.

One thing might be that the issue of origins is a little
more sensitive. To some extent, I don't feel it is my job
to force people accept evolution. On the other hand,
I do feel that Creationists should not be out legislating
teaching of creationism. What really needs to be understood
is that evolution taught in the manner of Dawkins & Co is
not to be preached in schools, but evolution as a working
method is. Let the individual chose in the end what he/she
wants to believe in the end. Some people don't want to
believe in relativity theory either. We should probably
handle the matter in a similar way.
Received on Sat Jan 15 16:55:16 2005