A recent survey conducted by Teachers TV in the United Kingdom indicated that 18% of the science teachers surveyed thought creationism/intelligent design should be given equal status with evolution; indicating that they did not even know what a scientific theory is. Science broadcaster Adam Rutherford stated that such teachers should be removed from teaching science. Here here! A lucid voice of reason. Those that are ignorant or just plain stupid enough to suggest that the “controversy” should be taught do not belong teaching our children. When will they get it? There is no controversy. Creationism is an idea (a bad one). It is not a scientific theory. There is no evidence, nothing to test or falsify. It fails every single definition of a good (or even bad) scientific theory. I am so sick of hearing about this nonsense. Teachers who want to teach religious dogma are free to do so in their churches and private homes – but not in schools. Unfortunately the UK does not have any separation of state and church laws in place to protect both knowledge and religion. Here in the United States we do have the First Amendment. All of us need to defend the First Amendment whenever it is threatened by the ignorant and evil who try to force their ill-conceived drivel into our public schools.

Link

http://www.teachers.tv/news/30218

Now that the election is finally over and most of us can get back to a normal routine, we need to remember that science and reason must continue be a priority and our daily lives. With the election of Barack Obama as our next president we are at least given the hope of a return to an age of intellectual and scientific progress. Obama has stated he would reverse many of the Bush anti-science policies that were imposed during the past eight years. He has also pledged to end the moratorium on science that the Bush administration created by appointing a Science and Technology adviser to his cabinet. It’s about time! It’s still not entirely clear how Obama will react to state and church separation issues. He has already violated them during the election process. But all in all it appears that the religious right will not get a “special” place in his administration. Let’s hope so.

Links

Obama to reverse Bush policies

Obama on science

The associated press reported today that both presidential candidates sent their volunteers to churches to motivate people to vote. Propaganda either supporting or decrying one candidate or the other was plentiful. Spokesmen for both sides say they are not violating the law because the churches are not directly telling people to vote for one candidate or the other. Do they really think people are that stupid? Political action groups are handing out fliers in churches.  Both parties are busing people to polling stations from churches. They are using churches as a vehicle to campaign! The AP article makes a point of saying that both sides were respectful not to violate federal laws that would jeopardize a church’s tax-exempt status.  But come on! The almost non-existent fine line they are walking is just an insult to state and church separation. I am going to be so glad when this election is over.

Link to the original article

Today Dan Barker, the Co-President of The Freedom from Religion Foundation, was the guest speaker at the monthly SWiFT (Southeast Wisconsin Freethinkers) meeting. Those of us that were there were treated to thought provoking discourse and musical entertainment. Barker is an accomplished musician and composer. He entertained us on the piano and sung various songs from his repertoire including Friendly Neighborhood Atheist and Vatican Rag. The Freedom from Religion Foundation has a lot to be proud of. They have successfully launched numerous lawsuits against separation of state and church violations including the current lawsuit against President Bush and others for the National Day of Prayer, to name just one.

Barker is an amazing individual and someone who is who should be looked at as a roll model for how to lead a meaningful and fulfilling life. His appearance motivated me – and hopefully others present. Today, especially, we need to stand up for our rights. The political climate of the United States is very hostile toward Atheists, Agnostics, Freethinkers, and just about anyone who is not a Christian. The United States is not now, nor has it ever been a Christian nation. We owe it to ourselves and our descendants to make a stand and rock the boat whenever we can to set things right. I am proud to be an Atheist and proud to say that someone like Dan Barker resides among our ranks.