Education
UA Library Board member sponsoring creationist talk at UAHS
Posted February 8th, 2008 by sdybiec
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UA Library Board member sponsoring creationist talk at UAHS
A young earth creationist, intelligent design (ID) advocate and philosophy professor Paul Nelson, will be speaking at Upper Arlington High School on Feb 11th. A UA Library Board of Trustees member, Bryce Kurfees, is listed as the contact on the event's invitiation.
UAPA is concerned about this presentation because:
- Nelson and the ID advocates explicitly aim to change school science curriculum to include the pseudo-science of intelligent design. Ohio religious fundamentatlists groups have a history of trying to inject creationism into the science classroom, using high-ranking elected Republicans to support them.
- the Discovery Institute to which Nelson belongs, is primarily a political lobbying organization, not a scientific research organization
- intelligent design is a disguised form of creationism and legislating it into the science classroom is a direct attack on the scientific method. If ID wants to be in the science classroom, it should follow the path of any scientifically verifiable, testable theory by engaging in the scientific peer journal review process. Non-scientific theories about our origins belong in philosophy or comparative religion classes, not the science classroom.
- pitting evolution vs. intelligent design implicitly tells students wishing to accept the overwhelming evidence for evolution, they must abandon God. This sets up a false dichotomy that undermines both science and religion.
- the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the largest association of scientists is clear:
- "... that the lack of scientific warrant for so-called 'intelligent design theory' makes it improper to include as a part of science education;"
- "... AAAS urges citizens across the nation to oppose the establishment of policies that would permit the teaching of "intelligent design theory" as a part of the science curricula of the public schools;"
Read the full story.
May we suggest....
- YouTube Video: How to Interview a Global Warming Denier
- YouTube Video: Political Reporters Fail To Ask About Climate Change
- ProgressOhio's investigative story of betrayal about how Republican Matt Damschroder was able to pit progressive against progressive to sidetrack Jennifer Brunner's election reform proposal.
Intelligent Design Event Invitation
Posted February 5th, 2008 by sdybiecWhat makes this invitation so chilling is all the jargon that makes the event sound like a reasoned presentation when it is actually so far off the charts.
Here's the text of the original invitation:
Please come with your friends, family and neighbors:
Where: Upper Arlington High School Cafeteria (near the front entrance/gym)
When: Monday, February 11, 7:30-9p
Who: Dr. Paul Nelson, PhD (U. of Chicago--see attached bio)
Why: Dr. Nelson is coming from Chicago to UAHS specifically to lead a discussion centered on the scientific evidence surrounding the origin of life and the subsequent probabilities of a random versus an intentional origin. (Due to no eye-witnesses of origin, the debate must be based on probability resulting from the facts.)
He'll also touch on the probability of universal physical laws perfectly but randomly blending to allow life.
The group will be challenged to consider and discuss the ramifications on the value of life of each of origin's theories. Additionally, Dr. Nelson will offer potential curriculum for public schools to use in order to better address this topic via encouraging more critical thinking in the classroom.
Cost/Attendance: Free (unless you want to help fund it--if so, please contact me). Simply attend--no need to register. Bring your friends, family, small groups.... Should be an interesting evening.
Questions/Comments: Bryce Kurfees (519-1287c or email)
UA Library Board member sponsoring creationist talk at UAHS
Posted February 5th, 2008 by sdybiec
A "young earth" creationist, intelligent design (ID) advocate and philosophy professor Paul Nelson, will be speaking at Upper Arlington High School on Feb 11th.
A UA Library Board of Trustees member, Bryce Kurfees, is listed as the contact on the event's invitiation. Mr. Kurfees owns an investment business in Dublin. Interestingly, there is a link to "Biblical Money Management" on his website (http://www.kurfeescapital.com/).
Many ID advocates are classic creationists, arguing that the geologic ages are an illusion, and the world is less than 10,000 years old. Dr. Nelson is no exception:
"It's no secret that I hold a young earth view."
---- Dr. Paul Nelson at the Skeptics Society Annual Meeting, Los Angeles (June 22, 2002)
For anyone planning to attend the event, here are some links to help you brush up on the both sides of the argument:
