NationStates Jolt Archive

I read a post on the NG forums about there being stickers on Biology books stating that "evolution is a theory, not a fact" in some deep Southern states.

What kind of twisted shit is that? Of course it's a theory --- just like gravity, nuclear physics, and electricity.

The author of the post pointed out that they should put something on the Bible too, (e.g. "the Bible is a fairy tale, not an instruction manual"), but sadly, I don't think it will fly.
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So, Southerners, is this really true? Are people pulling this shit in your regions with your textbooks? If so, what are you doing to fight back?

I read a post on the NG forums about there being stickers on Biology books stating that "evolution is a theory, not a fact" in some deep Southern states.

What kind of twisted shit is that? Of course it's a theory --- just like gravity, nuclear physics, and electricity.

The author of the post pointed out that they should put something on the Bible too, (e.g. "the Bible is a fairy tale, not an instruction manual"), but sadly, I don't think it will fly.
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So, Southerners, is this really true? Are people pulling this shit in your regions with your textbooks? If so, what are you doing to fight back?
That was in pennsylvania actually, and I think they were taken out.

Hey dude, christians all over the world are irritated at southern US christians. Don't lump us all together!

The whole 'theory of evolution' thing is written into most textbooks that I've seen (UK). But like you said it's usually listed alongside Newtons theories of gravity etc, so people usually understand it's context.

I am not $%^&* :D I have seen these labels on Alabama textbooks. However, they don't even reference Christianity or any other religion. Its just a part of our 'careful or you'll trod on someone's feelings' culture.

Hey dude, christians all over the world are irritated at southern US christians. Don't lump us all together!

The whole 'theory of evolution' thing is written into most textbooks that I've seen (UK). But like you said it's usually listed alongside Newtons theories of gravity etc, so people usually understand it's context.

My sincerest apologies. I'm so used to not seeing real Christians (the liberal kind that actually emulate the peaceful and introspective teachings of Jesus/Buddha) as Christians, due to the overwhelming number of false (mentally unstable, hateful, stupid, and ignorant) Christians who present themselves as the real type (please bomb the Bible belt).

In summation, damn fundies, and continue on with your secularization and eventual integration into rationalist-agnostic society.

I am not $%^&* :D I have seen these labels on Alabama textbooks. However, they don't even reference Christianity or any other religion. Its just a part of our 'careful or you'll trod on someone's feelings' culture.

That's right, because we all know the ignorant Hindus are up in arms against teaching science that undermines self-delusion, childhood brainwashing, and dogma.

That's right, because we all know the ignorant Hindus are up in arms against teaching science that undermines self-delusion, childhood brainwashing, and dogma.

I was mainly referring to Islam, as I bet some devout Muslims might be offende by this as well. There is a mosque in Hunstville.

I was mainly referring to Islam, as I bet some devout Muslims might be offende by this as well. There is a mosque in Hunstville.

They should be more worried about ignorant rednecks burning their houses down (over 9-11) instead of meddling with America's already shit education system.

Add Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas to the list of loonies that carry the disclaimer. And warn me before you bomb the Bible Belt, I need to get my family out. Don't worry, we'd fit in nicely someplace civilized. We just live here because it bugs them. :D

I have not once, heard an "ignorant redneck" advocate the burning of Islamic houses. I have been in the Deep South since 9/11. We even had a muslim come speak in our CHRISTIAN church, post 9/11. Don't lump us all in one group, s'il vous plait.

:shrug:

Evolution *is* a theory, as are Newton's laws. And IIRC Einstein showed that Newton's laws are wrong anyway, so that may not be the best example :p

Basically, Evolution is a theory, and it does have some significant gaps to it, but it is the best that we've got at the moment. Of course its not like the amount that you learn in High-school actually matters nor will that portion of the theory have changed much, if at all, when they change it to reflect more information as they gather it.

Over all its not something to be worked up about. So they put a sticker on it saying its a theory and not fact, so what? Whether the sticker is there or not isn't going to affect anyone's lives enough to matter.

Add Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas to the list of loonies that carry the disclaimer. And warn me before you bomb the Bible Belt, I need to get my family out. Don't worry, we'd fit in nicely someplace civilized. We just live here because it bugs them. :D

Yes, that's good. On second thought, I'll join you and stir up trouble.

When was the last time you heard the fundies squeal about the theory of gravity being taught without a disclaimer?

Whether the sticker is there or not isn't going to affect anyone's lives enough to matter.

It's the principle behind it. I take no interest in evolution. I really don't care or believe it that much. It's the fact that religious people seem worked up enough by it that they're willing to pull some crazy shit like that. You wanna put warning lables on things not to take literally, the Bible is the best candidate.

When was the last time you heard the fundies squeal about the theory of gravity being taught without a disclaimer?

Galileo?

When was the last time you heard the fundies squeal about the theory of gravity being taught without a disclaimer?

Because gravity doesnt conflict with their beliefs? Honestly now you attack someones core beliefs and you're likely to get an extremist reponse. Same all over the planet. No one group has a monopoly to stomping out ideas which conflict with their view of the world. The Roman Catholic church did it for hundreds of years.

It's the principle behind it. I take no interest in evolution. I really don't care or believe it that much. It's the fact that religious people seem worked up enough by it that they're willing to pull some crazy shit like that. You wanna put warning lables on things not to take literally, the Bible is the best candidate.
Last time I checked they didn't teach the bible as part of federally mandated education

Galileo?
Firstly, that was about the orbit of the planets. Secondly it mainly happened because Galileo published a paper that basically called the pope an idiot. Not an intelligent thing to do at that time.

No one group has a monopoly to stomping out ideas which conflict with their view of the world...

Um... yes. Christians. They win that title by a landslide.

Um... yes. Christians. They win that title by a landslide.

Er, not really. All those Chinese might disagree with you. And those nice people in the Middle East as well.

Firstly, that was about the orbit of the planets. Secondly it mainly happened because Galileo published a paper that basically called the pope an idiot. Not an intelligent thing to do at that time.

I'm aware of this. I'm willing to bend the facts to make a snide remark. Gravitation -> planetary attraction -> planetary (gravitational) rotation.
The pope was [is] no better than the next man. He deserved to be tar-and-feathered for his pigheaded religious pomp.

Um... yes. Christians. They win that title by a landslide.

Only because we happen to be the biggest religion. I've heard it can get pretty oppressive in some of those Islamic countreis, as well. There will always be those who will force their will on others and sadly those cannot be confined to the Twilight South.

Um... yes. Christians. They win that title by a landslide.

No not Christains. Sorry. Christianty has existed for a mere 2k. Humanity has existed for 40k, and recorded history is about 10k. The Roman Catholic Church and Southern Baptists(what you call Christians) have bee the two primary folks to surpress ideas. But they by far do not have a monoply on this practice, no matter what your belief on the issue. Outside of the religious aspect plenty of leaders, and religions otherwise have gone out of their way to surpress ideas and thoughts. The Mongols tried to erase the past when they conquered China.

Stop insert your dislike for a religion into basic fact.

Er, not really. All those Chinese might disagree with you. And those nice people in the Middle East as well.

Chinese? (Elaborate)

"People" in the Middle East who can't seem to manage some of the most fertile tracts of land in the world?

I thought one of the basic ideas of this country was to keep the religious majority from oppressing the minorities. Bah, shows what I know. Now they're telling us it's always been a Christian nation based on Christian ideals. Gee, I guess I'd better quit reading all that anti-Christian propaganda that Franklin, Jefferson and Washington wrote. Mustn't read those evil things. :rolleyes:

I thought one of the basic ideas of this country was to keep the religious majority from oppressing the minorities. Bah, shows what I know. Now they're telling us it's always been a Christian nation based on Christian ideals. Gee, I guess I'd better quit reading all that anti-Christian propaganda that Franklin, Jefferson and Washington wrote. Mustn't read those evil things. :rolleyes:

Well Franklin, Jefferson and Washington wrote more along the evils of state religion in general (Hello, Church of England anyone?). As for the basic ideals of the country, its to keep the majority from oppressing any minority. But as history proves, humans are prone to error even with the best of intentions. Also school text books arent state regulated, they get choosen by local school boards, and who makes up school boards again?

Chinese? (Elaborate)

Inside China and local areas, the Chinese can stamp out, and do, whatever ideas they want. For a time they even blocked Google and other search engines from all internet access in the country. Yeppers, those people just love letting people make up their own minds and believe in the free exchange of knowledge.

"People" in the Middle East who can't seem to manage some of the most fertile tracts of land in the world?

Yes people, or do you not believe them to be human? Many of the countries in the Middle East seem to quite enjoy stamping out ideas and knowledge. I just bet the House of Saud would love for you to run around teaching Evolution...

I had an ancestor back in the 1690's who was whipped for refusing to tithe to the Anglican church. I think she lived in the Carolinas. I'd have to ask my dad again to be sure.

I had an ancestor back in the 1690's who was whipped for refusing to tithe to the Anglican church. I think she lived in the Carolinas. I'd have to ask my dad again to be sure.

Yea..some states were downright horrid when it came to treatment of folks outside of the proscribed colonial area religion. Massachusetts didnt like anyone non Puratin, Maryland was set up as haven for Catholics, etc etc

Maryland was set up as haven for Catholics
So that's why Maryland sucks so much. And yes I can say this, I lived there for 9 years, a little under half my life.

I don't see how Maryland could possibly suck anywhere as much as Oklahoma. Name anything stupid they did, and I'm sure Oklahoma or Texas could top it.

I don't see how Maryland could possibly suck anywhere as much as Oklahoma. Name anything stupid they did, and I'm sure Oklahoma or Texas could top it.
I lived in a town known as the duck carving capital of the world. That's how much suckage there was. Although I admit Oklahoma would suck as well. As for Texas, depends on where you live.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/roadtrip1.html

Decoy Capital of the World
Havre de Grace, Maryland
Situated on the banks of the Susquehanna River, this Maryland community has been home to the Havre de Grace Decoy Museum since 1986. It features the country's largest collection of wooden duck decoys, most carved between 1930 and 1990.

I lived in a town known as the duck carving capital of the world. That's how much suckage there was. Although I admit Oklahoma would suck as well. As for Texas, depends on where you live.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/roadtrip1.html

Oklahoma probably tops in suckage unless you live in Sudan. At least Texas has Austin. The only problem with Austin is you have to drive through half of Texas to get there.
Sign on the Texas/Loiusiana border: El Paso, Texas- 893 miles.

Everyone should just come to NYC. We dont suck. There. The end.