Attorney Hopeful Florida's 'Academic Freedom'
Bill Becomes Law

Pete Chagnon - OneNewsNow
4/21/2008 12:00:00 PM

A Florida state senator has drafted a bill that would protect teachers who challenge evolution.

Republican Senator Ronda Storms has drafted the "Academic Freedom" bill, which seeks to protect teachers from being fired or losing tenure if they present alternate theories of origin that challenge evolution. Currently, Storms told CitizenLink, both teachers and students feel "muzzled" from expressing their views in an environment that presents Darwin's theory of evolution "in a dogmatic way." But Associated Press reports that under S.B. 2692, Florida teachers would be able to freely present intelligent design or biblical creationism.

David Gibbs, an attorney with the Florida-based Christian Law Association, says his organization is frequently contacted by teachers who are fearful about losing their jobs when they challenge evolution.

"We are contacted frequently by teachers and school administrators who have either been threatened or, more commonly, are running scared," he explains. Those educators, he says, are asking questions such as: "If I say anything, if I discuss this, what will happen? If a child raised her hand and asked about creationism or intelligent design, a panic went into my heart. How do I even answer this question? Or could this cost me my job?"

When teachers are placed in that position, argues the attorney, "that's really... insanity and a disservice to the students across Florida."

Gibbs admires Senator Storms for drafting the legislation. "So I commend Senator Storms for what she is trying to do, and I believe it's sad that in scientific classrooms we have to look at this type of legislation just to make sure teachers are protected," Gibbs says.

He believes if Florida lawmakers take the bill at face value, the Academic Freedom bill will have no problem becoming law.

No.

We can't do this, because this is America, and we have a seperation of church and state. If you want to be taught creationism, go to a Catholic School.

Originally Posted by The Other Guy

No.

We can't do this, because this is America, and we have a seperation of church and state. If you want to be taught creationism, go to a Catholic School.

I personally believe in creationism, but I don't think it should be taught alone in a public school system. Neither do I think that it shouldn't be able to be mentioned however. We celebrate Christmas and Easter in schools, perhaps we must stop this also, because that is not separation of church and state. There is too much PC crap going on.

I don't believe it said they would teach creationism alone. It said that it could be mentioned, theorized, or shared as the teacher's opinion in class.


This was the part that caught my eye the most,

"If I say anything, if I discuss this, what will happen? If a child raised her hand and asked about creationism or intelligent design, a panic went into my heart. How do I even answer this question? Or could this cost me my job?"

Originally Posted by pixiedustboo

We celebrate Christmas and Easter in schools, perhaps we must stop this also, because that is not separation of church and state.

My school doesn't. They never have since I got there in first grade.

I don't believe it said they would teach creationism alone. It said that it could be mentioned, theorized, or shared as the teacher's opinion in class.

I wouldn't mind a seperate class, as say a Senior in High School would take, with some other Science required to graduate. But I don't want to sit through it in my Science class, and I know people who would get up and leave the room if that came up. And then there's the problem of minority religions. Would there have to be a reincarnaton class too?

There's too much paperwork involved.

"If I say anything, if I discuss this, what will happen? If a child raised her hand and asked about creationism or intelligent design, a panic went into my heart. How do I even answer this question? Or could this cost me my job?"

Tell the student to discuss it with their parents. No harm in that.

Originally Posted by The Other Guy

My school doesn't. They never have since I got there in first grade.


I wouldn't mind a seperate class, as say a Senior in High School would take, with some other Science required to graduate. But I don't want to sit through it in my Science class, and I know people who would get up and leave the room if that came up. And then there's the problem of minority religions. Would there have to be a reincarnaton class too?

There's too much paperwork involved.



Tell the student to discuss it with their parents. No harm in that.

I don't see any reason for that, just point out that it is a religious alternative to evolution and that this is a science class if they want to learn more about creationism ask it in religious studies and get back to work, I don't see any problem in a rudimentary break down of creationism in a science class.

I also agree that schools should offer a non-denominational religions class where people simply learn about the different religions and what defines them hell even I would have taken that one.

On the whole this law suit just looks like another attempt to force religion on people through public schools personally I think religious belief is a personal thing and as such should be taught by the church.



PS. Ever noticed that you never get Atheists knocking on your door to see if you want to lose God?

Originally Posted by MontyB

(1)I also agree that schools should offer a non-denominational religions class where people simply learn about the different religions and what defines them hell even I would have taken that one.

(2)PS. Ever noticed that you never get Atheists knocking on your door to see if you want to lose God?

1-Most Middle-European schools offer such courses. But there'd be a fuss by the Super-Christians that we're tolerating Islamic Fundamentalists and forcing it on our students, with would be utter bull, but the media wouldn't care...

2-Yes, I have noticed that.

children should hear both sides, then be able to decide for themselves.

Originally Posted by FULLMETALJACKET

children should hear both sides, then be able to decide for themselves.

Which two sides?

The Nordic Gods theory of creation? the Incan Gods theory of creation? the Wicca theory of creation? the Olympic Gods theory of creation? the Homer Simpson theory of creation? and about a zillion others that have no actual proof to back them up. Or we can just stick to the the most socially accepted and proven scientific fact and leave the religious debate for church.

Here another question, why is America the only Western Country to actually have this debate? In other Christian countries the population would die of laughter at the mere thought of teaching creationism in school.

Originally Posted by mmarsh

Here another question, why is America the only Western Country to actually have this debate? In other Christian countries the population would die of laughter at the mere thought of teaching creationism in school.

Probably because the rest of the western world got over religion and found the economy was a more believable method of controlling the masses.

I think Napoleon Bonaparte said it best ..."Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet."

Originally Posted by MontyB

Probably because the rest of the western world got over religion and found the economy was a more believable method of controlling the masses.

I think Napoleon Bonaparte said it best ..."Religion is excellent stuff for keeping common people quiet."

Who said - 'Religion is what keeps poor people from killing the government' ?


However, and this is an edit, I believe we would be worse off without it. A tolerant Judeo-Christian ethic is still the best bet. And without it we would surely have chaos. (Like the government being killed).