Schools Req'd to notify parents before teaching evolution

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

So... thousands of parents in Alberta and across this country are unreasonable and ignorant. Hooray!

Is that even a surprise to anyone?

Thousands of parents in BC are completely unreasonable and ignorant too. Same with with Sask, Manitoba, Ontario, and especially Quebec. You can't be French and still consider yourself reasonable, right?

I've fixed what you've defined as the base theory to be more accurate. I'm pretty sure nobody would have problems changing that base theory if someone can point to evidence that the base theory is wrong or at least puts it into a category of reasonable doubt. Until that happens, its the best theory we have that fits the evidence.

And it should be presented that way.

Not that it isn't....but I'm seeing a lot of 'this is the way it is'....and not a lot of 'this is the best theory we have, or the best explanation we can give.'

Personally, I find much of the anti-evolution viewpoint comes from the strong push back in the 60s, 70s, 80s by hardcore religious organizations like Moody, Chick and a few others.....and people are still hanging on to that.

Back then it was all about how the world is trying to indoctrinate your children, blah, blah, blah.....'buy my book and you'll be saved' crap, and the same generation that was indoctrinated on THOSE beliefs back then, is trying to hold onto them today.

By requiring schools to notify parents before teaching evolution.

like, huh?

[Finny61]

Originally Posted by photon

Sure but there'll always be the borderline cases.. the kid who would have gotten 80% but missed the chapter on evolution so got 75% overall, and couldn't get into University as a result. Plus the complexity this introduces. If there's a further chilling effect remains to be seen.

Irrelevant. If you look at some statistics I'd bet you find most families that would reject evolution would not have their children in university but post secondary education in a biblical institute. That's the trend I notice with families that have a more strict or limited approach to the acceptance of science.

Any religious family who actually has no issue with evolution (or at the very least tolerate the fundamentals but rather bring in their own beliefs and integrate them) would care less and their children do just fine in college or university.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by Finny61

Irrelevant. If you look at some statistics I'd bet you find most families that would reject evolution would not have their children in university but post secondary education in a biblical institute. That's the trend I notice with families that have a more strict or limited approach to the acceptance of science.

Any religious family who actually has no issue with evolution (or at the very least tolerate the fundamentals but rather bring in their own beliefs and integrate them) would care less and their children do just fine in college or university.

Yeah, I've noticed that too.

Especially if there are 'Christian' based colleges/universities out there that offer similar degrees that UofC offers.

[Ashartus]

I wonder if the "biology" degree offered at Ambrose University College includes teaching about evolution? Especially since it's the only science degree they offer.

[troutman]

Bill 44 passed this morning:

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Life/Bi...490/story.html

The Alberta government ushered in controversial changes to Alberta's human rights laws early Tuesday morning, bringing a five-week battle over the nature of rights to a close.

MLAs spent part of the night debating a Liberal amendment to stop Bill 44 in its tracks.

Alberta Teachers' Association, ... fervently opposed the proposed law.

Edmonton's gay and lesbian community organized two small protests on the legislature steps Monday, one before noon and one at 5 p.m.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/Life/Op...207/story.html

A Facebook group called Students Against Bill 44 had just over 100 members last week.

By Monday evening, as final debate on the human rights amendments was about to start, more than 2,000 people had joined.

Right below that group, Facebook listed another called Students FOR Bill 44.

It had fewer than 35 members.

Public schools no place for Christian fundamentalism
http://www.calgaryherald.com/Life/Pu...918/story.html

Bill 44's parental-rights clause runs counter to the role of public education. It is meant to support a creation story particular to one certain religious tradition and to limit young people's access to information about sexuality.

Who wants this clause? Clearly, the Stelmach government is pandering to religious extremists within fundamentalist Christianity.

As a Christian, I am opposed to Bill 44's parental-rights clause. The clause is simply ignorance and hate dressed up in the guise of "protection." It undermines public education and the public good.

[mikey_the_redneck]

I'll never understand why most religions suppress human sexuality. It just goes against human nature and it is pure brainwashing imo.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by mikey_the_redneck

I'll never understand why most religions suppress human sexuality. It just goes against human nature and it is pure brainwashing imo.

I think it has to do with men trying to control the reproductive freedom of women.

[Thunderball]

This is frankly disgusting, and no one should look surprised when racially motivated crimes, teenage pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections increase.

All this law does is reinforce people's rights to be bigoted and ignorant. People who teach their kids garbage and lies like black people have smaller brains than white people, evolution is a lie spread by satan, "pulling out" works, homosexuals have viscous, acidic blood and are evil, HPV vaccines lead to becoming a teenage slut, sexual urges are the voice of satan, and abstinence is the only way, etc. That's who is being protected.

How will the kids know their parents are full of crap, they aren't allowed to learn anything "offensive" to the personal and religious views of the parents, which seems to include basic science. Hence, another generation of ignorant bigots.

The regressive conservatives are at it again. When they aren't FUBARing the economy, they're screwing up society.

[Joborule]

This is ridiculous. Our government hit a low. What a regressive bill.

[llama64]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

The regressive conservatives are at it again. When they aren't FUBARing the economy, they're screwing up society.

That's a redundant term, really.

I've always thought "Progressive Conservative" was a humorous moniker.

And yet, despite the outcry, most people will still vote Conservative in the next election because of something Trudeau did nearly 3 decades ago. This province is terminally stupid.

[malcolmk14]

Originally Posted by Thunderball

All this law does is reinforce people's rights to be bigoted and ignorant. People who teach their kids garbage and lies like black people have smaller brains than white people, evolution is a lie spread by satan, "pulling out" works, homosexuals have viscous, acidic blood and are evil, HPV vaccines lead to becoming a teenage slut, sexual urges are the voice of satan, and abstinence is the only way, etc. That's who is being protected.

Wait, it doesn't? Uh oh...

[malcolmk14]

So just to be clear, this bill DOES NOT provide an opt-out of evolution in science class on the grounds of religious beliefs? Correct? It is rather an opt-out of religious instruction?

also:

Last week, the province clarified some of the language in the bill, highlighting teachers should still be free to talk about sexual orientation or religion incidentally without notifying parents.

What's the big deal exactly?

[ikaris]

I guess this is what we deserve for having a redneck for a premier. Truly embarrassing to be Albertan today.

[Red Potato Standing By]

though i don't really like the law i can't say i am embarrased to be an albertan today..give it a year something else will come up and people will forget probably..

[MelBridgeman]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

So just to be clear, this bill DOES NOT provide an opt-out of evolution in science class on the grounds of religious beliefs? Correct? It is rather an opt-out of religious instruction?

also:



What's the big deal exactly?

Ya that and the bill sole purpose is to prevent human rights actions against teachers and the school board, but alas let's let the informed continue the discussion...

[Cowperson]

Originally Posted by ikaris

I guess this is what we deserve for having a redneck for a premier. Truly embarrassing to be Albertan today.

I agree. Totally embarrassing to be an Albertan because of this although I would argue the definition of being a redneck doesn't have to include "religious extremist."

This is really about religious extremism imposing itself upon a broader society and that's a dangerous, dangerous precedent in any educated, progressive society.

As such, I think this could be politically more important for the Conservatives - negatively - than they are estimating since the majority of Albertans will not fit into this definition.

It's going to cost them, as it should, but they're probably fortunate the opposition continues to be a bunch of disjointed, charisma-less, boobs.

Cowperson

[Reggie Dunlop]

From what I understand, this legislation was to ward off the introduction of Homosexuality 10/20/30 (required for matriculation, naturally). Homosexual activism belongs in the vocational schools.

Thank God saner heads prevailed.

[malcolmk14]

nm

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Cowperson

I agree. Totally embarrassing to be an Albertan because of this although I would argue the definition of being a redneck doesn't have to include "religious extremist."

This is really about religious extremism imposing itself upon a broader society and that's a dangerous, dangerous precedent in any educated, progressive society.

As such, I think this could be politically more important for the Conservatives - negatively - than they are estimating since the majority of Albertans will not fit into this definition.

It's going to cost them, as it should, but they're probably fortunate the opposition continues to be a bunch of disjointed, charisma-less, boobs.

Cowperson

Not to mention that it directly strengthens the powers of human rights commission to intervene in cases involving political or religious speech. Horrifying development for Alberta.

[Thunderball]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

So just to be clear, this bill DOES NOT provide an opt-out of evolution in science class on the grounds of religious beliefs? Correct? It is rather an opt-out of religious instruction?

Nope. It allows parents to opt their children out of any subject matter deemed offensive and against religious convictions. So not just religious education, but evolution, human biology, and sex ed. Despite the change of language to say they "should" be able to discuss certain topics, the main thrust of the argument is to allow parents to pull their children out of anything offensive.