Missouri Legislation Redefines Science, Pushes Intelligent Design

An anonymous reader writes "Ars reports on new legislation in the Missouri House of Representatives which is seeking equal time in the classroom for Intelligent Design, and to redefine science itself. You can read the text of the bill online. It uses over 600 words to describe Intelligent Design. Scientific theory, the bill says, is 'an inferred explanation of incompletely understood phenomena about the physical universe based on limited knowledge, whose components are data, logic, and faith-based philosophy.' It would require that 'If scientific theory concerning biological origin is taught in a course of study, biological evolution and biological intelligent design shall be taught.' The legislation's references to 'scientific theory' and 'scientific law' make it clear the writers don't have the slightest idea how science actually works. It also has this odd line near the end: 'If biological intelligent design is taught, any proposed identity of the intelligence responsible for earth's biology shall be verifiable by present-day observation or experimentation and teachers shall not question, survey, or otherwise influence student belief in a nonverifiable identity within a science course.'"

glad

[meandmatt]

Hmm, I am glad they are done indoctrinating children with Evolution.

Cue Babel Fish...

[Marcaen]

That last sentence sounded strangely familiar:
        "If biological intelligent design is taught, any proposed identity of the intelligence responsible for earth's biology shall be verifiable by present-day observation or experimentation and teachers shall not question, survey, or otherwise influence student belief in a nonverifiable identity within a science course." ....

`I refuse to prove that I exist,' says God, `for proof denies faith, and without faith I am nothing.'
`But,' says Man, `The Babel fish is a dead giveaway, isn't it? It could not have evolved by chance. It proves you exist, and so therefore, by your own arguments, you don't. QED.'
`Oh dear,' says God, `I hadn't thought of that,' and promptly disappears in a puff of logic.

Following this logic...

[Skiboy941]

We should also devote equal time in astronomy to the hypothesis that the Sun revolves around the Earth, and that the Earth is, in fact, flat.

Re:Well, it was a nice run

[Anonymous Coward]

you're too

Re:Well, it was a nice run

[dkleinsc]

And what is it that put America in the forefront of the nuclear nations? and what is it that will make it possible to spend 20 billion dollars of your money to put some clown on the moon? Well, it's good old American know-how, that's what, as provided by good old Americans like Dr. Wernher von Braun.

- Tom Lehrer

Re:Christians, physicians and hospitals

[silas_moeckel]

It's only sad that they force this on the children. Adults being idiots and culling themselves off is a good thing.

Re:Christians, physicians and hospitals

[jvillain]

It sounds like you are describing evolution.

Obligatory

[rmdingler]

Is not intelligent design an oxymoron? My human spine has smaller vertebra at the bottom of my back than it does at the top, my shoulder 'ball and socket' joint design works like the engineer went to Phoenix University, and my freakin' liver can't process ethanol efficiently.

Re:It's a race...

[kenj0418]

Teach Darwin, Teach Spinoza and Godel.

This list will never be complete. Or if it is, it will be inconsistent.

Re:Christians, physicians and hospitals

[cheater512]

My left arm for mod points.

Re:It's a race...

[cheater512]

They'll just use their bible as their proof. "Look! It says it right there!"

Re:Christians, physicians and hospitals

[Anonymous Coward]

Well, considering this is survival of the fitness, you can have my mod points, if I can mate with your female.

Re:Teaching The Controversy - Properly

[Capsaicin]

Sample Essay Question:

1) Using the theory intelligent design, explain the emergence of the Ebola virus and construct a forensic psychological profile of the intelligent designer.

Re:Obligatory

[MacGyver2210]

design by definition is intelligent

Bullshit. If you really believe this, you haven't used Windows 8.

Re:Teaching The Controversy - Properly

[I'm New Around Here]

Question 2) Using Darwin's Theory of Evolution, explain the emergence of viruses from living predecessors.

Re:Christians, physicians and hospitals

[evil_aaronm]

He's a geek. Chances are very good that he doesn't have a female. Unless you mean his mother. He very likely has one of those.

Re:Christians, physicians and hospitals

[eagoldman]

When I was in high school, the mandated sex education consisted of one hour during health class one day, where we were told if we had sex - though the word was never mentioned - we gould get veneral disease.
Yes, I got the same lecture my freshman year of high school. Being the smat ass I am I raised my hand and asked "Does this mean that all our parents have a veneral disease?" I spent a lot of time in high school in the principles office.

Re:Christians, physicians and hospitals

[mwvdlee]

Now that I've turned 36, I consider anyone under 36 to be a child.

Back when I was 16, children were much younger.

Re:Teaching The Controversy - Properly

[Forty Two Tenfold]

Faith comes into play at peer review. Either they believe you or they don't.

Superstition

[fyngyrz]

This is why we can't have nice things.

Re:Not so fast.

[tinkerghost]

Lot has always been my hero. The man can get so drunk he doesn't recognize his own daughters & he can still get it up. That people, is truely worthy of respect.