"What is wrong with teaching both theories?"

Because they aren't both theories; one is a theory and the other is a
tenet.  

I think it would be a great idea to teach them both, but only if we make
absolutely certain that the requirements for the formation of a rigorous
scientific theory are also taught.

Until that happens, we really can't have a good discussion of "all sides
of the issue" -- we have to be using the same language.

Stephen, who likes apples and oranges as much as the next mad archivist,
but probably would use only one at a time in the juicer.


Stephen Van Buren, C.A.
UNIVERSITY Archivist and Special Collections Librarian
BL241/Box 2115, North Campus Drive
Brookings, SD  57007
605-688-4906
"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.  Inside a dog, it's too
dark to read" - Groucho Marx
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of Rebecca Fitzgerald
Sent: Wednesday, August 03, 2005 1:55 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: A washingtonpost.com article from: [log in to unmask]

>I like to remind people that this controversy is not about evolution or
>even science. It is about telling other people what they should
believe,
>and what is right and wrong. 

And this of course is the crux of most of the problems of the world. In
every debate there are those on each side who feel that they're having
the
opposite view forced on them. 

By the way, who are "they?" In this case is "they" an organized group
pushing ID, or the millions of people who believe that that God created
the
universe and every thing in it, whether in a week, or by initiating that
moment of creation - what some folks call the "big bang." Or is "they"
some
other sinister group? 

Science and religion necessarily intersect in this discussion, since
both
consider our origin as part of their "turf." So, after many years of
studying this debate, and reading all there is on the subject, I'm
forced to
ask:
1. Where's the proof? If science cannot produce the proof, then they're
asking me to take it on faith. Hmmm...that's exactly what religion asks
too.
2. If the authority is an evolution theory that's still standing, then
I'd
have to say that no one has disproved creationism/ID yet either.
3. If either side says, "Because I'm the "illustrious grand poobah" and
I
said so, well then, I'd have to laugh at their arrogance. 

We hold both our scientists and our religious leaders in high esteem.
Our
world is much richer for both but they both have had their dark days.
Frankly, we NEED both religion and science in our world today.

What is wrong with teaching both theories? Why not make a place in our
schools for students to be exposed to both? Virtually every adult over
the
age of 45 WAS exposed to both theories - and it doesn't seem that those
generations were terribly scarred by the experience. 

Bringing this back to practical museum work - it's so easy to influence
folks through museum exhibits and programming. I'm always humbled by the
vast educational influence that we wield. It is so important that we
"get it
right" and avoid bending our exhibits and interpretation to the current
politically correct viewpoint. 

Becky Fitzgerald
Susquehanna Museum

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