I always cringe when I start writing these controversial blogs on religious ignorance. It always seems to strike a nerve with certain people. This is when I gain a couple followers and lose a couple… I find it interesting that those with the most aggressive religious convictions seem the most vulnerable to criticism. Still, it is such an important topic to me that I spent two chapters on the subject in my book The Responsive Universe. If we do not have unadulterated belief systems free of weighted dogma and blind faith, how are we to fully and spiritually self-evolve? I have written how we need to find a connection with the Universe – the big picture and not just man-made intervention.
Well, here it goes….
Oklahoma just narrowly passed a bill that will allow “students to challenge universally accepted scientific theories, such as evolution and climate change. Teachers would also be required to find more effective ways to address such controversies in their teachings.” The bill is basically smoke and mirrors with its main driving focus to allow creationism to be taught in local schools. Called the Scientific Education and Academic Freedom Act (that’s a joke), it was spearheaded by Republican state Rep. Gus Blackwell. Blackwell contends that there are teachers and students who may be afraid of going against what they see in their textbooks. I don’t know, maybe we should be more worried about the fact that the US ranks 14th in the world in education – and still declining. In a recent interview, Blackwell stated a student has the freedom to write a paper that points out that highly complex life may not be explained by chance mutations. I suppose I agree with that… Freedom of speech…. Freedom of mind, right?
Although I kind agree with this too: “When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross.” — Sinclair Lewis
Oooo that quote sizzles with stinging shock and awe…
Are you still with me?
At first this bill disturbed me. I have a hard time with religion in our public schools; not because I am a non-believer (cause I am not) but because it is always a Christian agenda that is pushed. Why not teach Buddhist or Muslim ideals? Oh yeah, teaching Islam in our schools – that would go over well! The Christian agenda is such a double standard. Even my 11 year old son knows the Earth was not created 6000 years ago. Some of this stuff is just crazy talk. The fact that there are high-ranking government officials who choose Genesis over Evolution; these same officials that grace our Science Boards – it truly bewilders me…
Still, maybe it is a good thing… I mean from a global standpoint I think it is embarrassing, but maybe there is a silver lining to this blind faith and ignorance. Maybe allowing the debate to EVOLVE in our schools is good: The argument of science verses religion. So many people adopt these archaic beliefs because they do not know any better. It is easy to follow and not lead. That is the problem with this world and with religion in general – it teaches us to follow and not lead. It is too easy to adopt a belief without ever really thinking for yourself. It might be good if students did debate Adam and Eve verses Stellar Evolution and the Big Bang. Maybe it will educate people to actually think for themselves for once; to actually contemplate biblical history and the other alternate reality that runs parallel. You know, that crazy thing called reality…. To actually ponder and adopt belief systems they can call their own and not what Pat Robertson spews on cable TV. Once we actually stop and muse the world’s great questions many might come to the realization that it is a bigger picture. That God as it relates to man really does not center on man at all. It is only the ego that relates to man. That God is the Universe and the Universe is everything.
The Universe is… therefore we are……
John C. Bader
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Religious ignorance? Say what you mean and mean what you say. How about rephrasing that as ignorance inspired by misinterpretation of religious messages. That may or may not do it. All that I am certain of is that anyone who equates “creationism” with a scientific theory is demonstrating a total lack of comprehension of the concept of “scientific theory”. Meanwhile their children are forced to compete in a modern world with a major intellectual handicap.
I used to laugh at Mark Twain’s “Letters From Earth” – correspondence purportedly written by Satan to his brother angel, Gabriel, describing what he found on earth. It was funny because Twain was railing against ignorance founded in the name of religion. But, it just isn’t as funny any more. The ignorance that Twain was spoofing is returning. No, that just isn’t funny, is it?
Okay Jack… you got it… ignorance inspired by misinterpretation of religious messages…I suppose that is fair… thanks for the comment
I do get tired of hearing people say they want religion removed from public education when what they really mean is they don’t want christianity in the schools. I wrote a paper for a biology class on the evolution vs creationism argument in science classes. Everyone seems to think it’s darwinism against the biblical 7-day creation, but it is much more complicated than that! There are those who interpret those seven days not to mean 7 sets of 24 hours as we know a day to be but as very long and undetermined spans of time. Or that everything has evolved but some being did create that very first organism that everything else came from.
I think if we want to teach children tolerance and want them to have knowledge and choose for themselves then we need to give them all of the information. Teach them all of the theories and let them come to their own conclusions.
I agree up to a point… still, genesis is not theory. It is a story. Does this mean we should teach kids about unicorns and mermaids too? I get the creationism angle – that something intelligent could have created life – maybe the instinctual energy that governs bio-energy and karma? Still creationism as we know it is a platform for Christianity.
They don’t need to pull out the Bible and teach Genesis. There is science behind creationism beyond the words of the Bible. But since creationism or intelligent design is a theory of how the world began it should be just as equally represented as evolution and all other creation theories. Creationism is a platform for Christianity in the same way that evolution is used as a platform for Atheism and Agnosticism.
Britt, what is the scientific theory behind intelligent design and creationism? Stellar evolution has evidence of Doppler Effect, Red Shift and background radiation to back up the Big Bang or “Big Bounce”. I do not know of any scientific evidence that would back up intelligent design unless you focus on religion which of course is not scientifically based. In my research I have concluded that there is instinctual energy associated with quantum physics but that does not correlate to an omnipresent, intelligent creator. It leads us to the fact that the Universe is; therefore we are: a connection at the sub atomic level that defines this Responsive Universe we live in.
http://www.ideacenter.org/contentmgr/showdetails.php/id/832
One of many places that explain the scientific background.
I respect your conclusion from your research has led you to believe in a power in the universe but does not convince you of a diety. I have no intention of convicing you to believe differently than your mind and conscience compels you to. At the same time it must be recognized that faith, or the lack of it, is relative to each person. Neither of us can definitely say who is right or wrong, is God there or not. To assume we are absolutely right and another is wrong is nothing but ego.
I think this might be my next blog… thanks for the inspiration