The origin of the species

Typedef

http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99992533

There is of course a counterbalance, well sort of, to the above article.

Recently in the US the state has mandated the funding of schools who do not teach the theory of evolution as the origin of life, but rather religious creationism which comes at a time when archaeologists seem to be closer than ever to finding the divergence point of hominids.

A Little Fable

"ALAS", said the mouse, " the world is growing smaller every day. A the begining it was so big that I was afraid, I kept running and running, and I was glad when at last I saw walls far away to the right and left, but these lonh walls have narrowed so quickly that I am in the last chamber already, and there in the corner stands the trap that I must run into." " You only need to change your direction", said the cat, and ate it up.

cerebus

Originally posted by Typedef

Recently in the US the state has mandated the funding of schools who do not teach the theory of evolution as the origin of life, but rather religious creationism which comes at a time when archaeologists seem to be closer than ever to finding the divergence point of hominids.

Is this strictly true? Maybe you'd have a reference for it? (just out of interest!)

I thought that individual states (usual suspects like Kentucky, etc.) have decided at various stages that the theory of evolution had to be represented as "one possible explanation" for the development of current flora and fauna, with creationism given equal billing. These decisions keep getting challenged in the courts AFAIK, due to the whole constitutional seperation of religion and state thing.

Or are you talking about the school voucher system the US Supreme Court recently ruled on? I guess this could potentially give federal funding to schools which promote creationism, but I imagine this would get challenged through the US legal system.

Just in case you're interested here's a rather tongue in cheek synthesis of evolution and creationism - check http://www.oz.net/~travis/sms/descent.htm for some background info...



On a somewhat related note, I was within spitting distance (presuming you could spit 10km) of the Burgess Shale last week. Unfortunately they restrict access to the site and all the available spaces were taken. Just have to go back (and make sure we reserve a slot next time) I guess!

Typedef

Or are you talking about the school voucher system the US Supreme Court recently ruled on? I guess this could potentially give federal funding to schools which promote creationism, but I imagine this would get challenged through the US legal system.

Exactly as far as I can tell from a cursory googling the Supreme court has ruled that the voucher scheme being extended to religous schools 'who also happen to teach creationism' does not breach the first amendament of the US constitution.

Thus it is a form of state sponsored exponenciation of religous agenda, although I'm quite sure the ruling was not meant as such.

I just thought it was an interesting dicotomy.

Yeah