Q&A About Texas Science Standards Review and Debate Over How to Teach Evolution

What is the science standards issue currently before the Texas State Board of Education (SBOE)?During 2008-09, the Texas SBOE is reviewing the state’s science standards, the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) for science, which were originally adopted in 1998. The controversial issue before the SBOE is whether the TEKS will retain existing language calling for students to learn about both the scientific “strengths and weaknesses” of scientific theories. Some have proposed removing that language from the TEKS entirely, while others have suggested that good science education that encourages critical thinking should apply to all aspects of the curriculum, especially to the teaching of controversial scientific theories like neo-Darwinian evolution. In September 2008, writing committees working for the Texas Education Read More ›

Evolution Reads Like “Scroll,” Pope Says

For some unknown reason, the recent confab of scientists and theologians at the Vatican has gone largely unremarked by the mainstream media. But our colleague Bruce Chapman was paying attention and has some thoughts on the Pope’s address to the scientists, philosophers, theologians and others in attendance. Read all about it here.

Ayala Plays Both Sides

Many readers of Scientific American Magazine have recently written me about the new article, “The Christian Man’s Evolution: How Darwinism and Faith Can Coexist.” Most have pointed out how fatuous Ayala’s view of God comes across. As author Sally Lehrman writes, seeming to think this very clever, Ayala (and “science-savvy Christian theologians”) “present a God that is continuously engaged in the creative process through undirected natural selection.” (bolding added)This line, of course, prompted much talk of square circles and Christian atheists, as well it should. Writes one reader, “You mean: ‘a God who is continuously engaged’ by being completely unengaged?” But apart from the clear contradiction in this thinking, Ayala demonstrates an inconsistency we find repeatedly from Darwinists who are Read More ›

And the Expelled Winners Are . . . .

[Note: For a comprehensive defense of Ben Stein’s documentary Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, please see: NCSE Exposed at NCSEExposed.org] These ten lucky folks have won themselves a free copy of Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed, starring Ben Stein and now available on DVD and Blu-Ray. If you weren’t lucky this time, you can still purchase a copy of the DVD for just $17.99. And it makes for a great Christmas gift, so pick up a few and spread the word to your friends and family. The winners are: Gary Jordan, WashingtonGary Vinson, TexasRandy Hansen, IowaD’Arcy McGreer, VirginiaKen Sanderson, AustraliaBRIAN WIEMKEN, CaliforniaChip Crush, KentuckyLa-Aja Wiggins, CaliforniaMark Giacoletti, PennsylvaniaGina Allen, Missouri Winners will be contacted by e-mail. DVDs will be mailed out and Read More ›