Archive for ‘March 6th, 2009’

When I read this I did a double take. It’s kind of hard to believe. The House of Representatives of the Oklahoma State Legislature is trying to pass a resolution that they disapprove of Evolutionary Biologist Richard Dawkins and the teaching of evolution:

  

…NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 1ST SESSION OF THE 52ND OKLAHOMA LEGISLATURE:

THAT the Oklahoma House of Representatives hereby expresses its disapproval of the current indoctrination of the Darwinian theory of evolution at the University of Oklahoma and further requests that an open, dignified, and fair discussion of this idea and all other ideas be engaged in on campus which is the approach that a public institution should be engaged in and which represents the desire and interest of the citizens of Oklahoma.

THAT the Oklahoma House of Representative strongly opposes the invitation to speak on the campus of the University of Oklahoma to Richard Dawkins of Oxford University, whose published statements on the theory of evolution and opinion about those who do not believe in the theory are contrary and offensive to the views and opinions of most citizens of Oklahoma…

(From House Resolution 1014)

  
This is a perfect example of why there is so much conflict between science and religion. The State of Oklahoma Legislature, apparently completely scientifically illiterate, is wasting it’s time bashing scientists and science in general. It sounds like a deliberate attempt to get science removed from public schools. Oklahoma has a long history of trying to get religious doctrine imposed on its residents. By formally denouncing science and scientific discussion they are just proving to the rest of the world how backward and archaic they truly are. The next step will probably be to formally support creationism as an “alternative” to science in the classroom! The University invited, and most likely paid for, Dawkins to speak. Hopefully the students that are privileged to hear Dawkins speak will be empowered to run for public office and replace the morons currently running their state. In the mean time, I will add Oklahoma to Kansas, Tehran, Islamabad, and all of the other places I shall never visit.