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**Sean** · Aug 2, 2005, 08:14 am

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,164446,00.html

Quote:

WASHINGTON — President Bush said Monday he believes schools should discuss "intelligent design" alongside evolution when teaching students about the creation of life.

During a round-table interview with reporters from five Texas newspapers, Bush declined to go into detail on his personal views of the origin of life. But he said students should learn about both ideas, Knight Ridder Newspapers reported.

"I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought," Bush said. "You're asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, the answer is yes."

The theory of intelligent design says life on earth is too complex to have developed through evolution, implying that a higher power must have had a hand in creation.

Christian conservatives — a substantial part of Bush's voting base — have been pushing for the teaching of intelligent design in public schools. Scientists have rejected the idea as an attempt to force religion into science education.

Savant · Aug 2, 2005, 09:43 am

Might be difficult considering there is no scientific theory of inteligent design.

Mulkaccino · Aug 2, 2005, 09:48 am

Two questions arise from this:

Could ID be taught in a fasion that doesn't favor one religion over another?

How much hard science is available so that an actual lecture about ID could be taught, instead of having the whole period spent trying to debunk evolution?

**Chris** · Aug 2, 2005, 10:25 am

this slays me

Savant · Aug 2, 2005, 11:14 am

Next teachers will be forced to teach that maaaaaaybe Armstrong landed on the moon. If there is such a thing as a moon.

At least I think we have the spherical Earth covered. We are ok with that, right Xians? You've reconciled that with your bible by now I hope. Pillars of hell, firmament, levels of heaven... you guys are ok with those inching back into symbolism rather than being taught in geology... right?

**Jack** · Aug 2, 2005, 11:46 am

It's sad that the leader of our country would advocate undermining our already pathetic educational system by teaching philosophy as a science. If anyone had a doubt about his being in the pocket of the religious right, this ought to confirm it. I just hope more rational minds, those concerned with education, will keep his opinion from becoming policy.

RickSp · Aug 2, 2005, 11:53 am

The Pope has denounced Harry Potter and commended a Catholic theologian who attacked evolution. Now we have a President spewing this nonsense as well.

I wonder if we have a new inquistion on the horizon.

On a related note should we be teaching the theory of gravity as fact? Warning: Gravity is “Only a Theory”

Milton Bradley · Aug 2, 2005, 12:16 pm

Quote:

Quote by: Isherwood

It's sad that the leader of our country would advocate undermining our already pathetic educational system by teaching philosophy as a science. If anyone had a doubt about his being in the pocket of the religious right, this ought to confirm it. I just hope more rational minds, those concerned with education, will keep his opinion from becoming policy.

No child left behind, right?

I guess he really meant that when he said it.

Aug 2, 2005, 09:43 am	#2 (permalink) (top)
Savant The Electric Messiah Location: California Posts: 145	Might be difficult considering there is no scientific theory of inteligent design. Economic Left/Right: -3.75 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.72 Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain. J. K. Rowling

Aug 2, 2005, 10:25 am	#4 (permalink) (top)
Chris Gamma-ray burst Location: Nashville Posts: 6,112	this slays me Delusion- A persistent false belief held in the face of strong contradictory evidence. (i.e. religion) Last.fm Blog

Aug 2, 2005, 11:14 am	#5 (permalink) (top)
Savant The Electric Messiah Location: California Posts: 145	Next teachers will be forced to teach that maaaaaaybe Armstrong landed on the moon. If there is such a thing as a moon. At least I think we have the spherical Earth covered. We are ok with that, right Xians? You've reconciled that with your bible by now I hope. Pillars of hell, firmament, levels of heaven... you guys are ok with those inching back into symbolism rather than being taught in geology... right? Economic Left/Right: -3.75 Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -4.72 Never trust anything that can think for itself if you can't see where it keeps its brain. J. K. Rowling

Aug 2, 2005, 11:46 am	#6 (permalink) (top)
Jack formerly Isherwood Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 12,285	It's sad that the leader of our country would advocate undermining our already pathetic educational system by teaching philosophy as a science. If anyone had a doubt about his being in the pocket of the religious right, this ought to confirm it. I just hope more rational minds, those concerned with education, will keep his opinion from becoming policy. The Forum Rules Radical Atheist A man who does not think for himself does not think at all...Oscar Wilde

Aug 2, 2005, 11:53 am	#7 (permalink) (top)
RickSp Volcanic Erupter Posts: 9,491	The Pope has denounced Harry Potter and commended a Catholic theologian who attacked evolution. Now we have a President spewing this nonsense as well. I wonder if we have a new inquistion on the horizon. On a related note should we be teaching the theory of gravity as fact? Warning: Gravity is “Only a Theory” Rick "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross." Sinclair Lewis

Aug 2, 2005, 09:48 am	#3 (permalink) (top)
Mulkaccino Molten Ash Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 105	Two questions arise from this: Could ID be taught in a fasion that doesn't favor one religion over another? How much hard science is available so that an actual lecture about ID could be taught, instead of having the whole period spent trying to debunk evolution?