Judge rules against 'intelligent design"

Judge rules against ‘intelligent design’

The trouble with this ruling, as well as the coverage surrounding it, is the faulty logic. That logic is most likely based on a bias. Unfortunately, since most people are emotional about religious viewpoints, anything that smells like religion will draw an emotional response.

First to those who believe in creationism-- Intelligent Design (ID) does not prove the Bible, nor does it espouse seven literal or figurative days. ID does not state who the creator is or could be. This is not a way to teach children about the Bible in school. This is not a religious theory and it does not purport to be.

Now, for those who do not believe in creationism-- Intelligent Design (ID) does not prove the Bible, nor does it espouse seven literal or figurative days. ID does not state who the creator is or could be. This is not a way to teach children about the Bible in school. This is not a religious theory and it does not purport to be.

Neither evolution nor ID is a religion, for both are scientific theories. Adoption of either of those theories can lead someone to a religious opinion and anyone can put forth either of those theories. Just because someone who puts forth ID also believes God exists does not make ID religious. Just because someone who puts forth Evolution also believes God exists does not make Evolution religious. The opposites of those statements are also true. But based on most biases, ID = religion. Hence Evolution = religion based on the same argument.

When anyone tries to use ID to promote religion, that leads others to see ID as religious. Hence the judge's ruling. At first I was upset about the ruling, finding it to be wrong. However, after reading the full opinoin, the judge rightfully saw people using ID as a way to teach religion.

Should ID be taught in schools? Yes. Should it be used for sneaking religion in? No. And because people tried to do that, ID and thereby true education, is not being taught to children. Shame on us all.

The Latest from JibJab!

The Latest from JibJab!

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2 - 0 - 5: A JibJab Year In Review

Political scandals! Natural disasters! The war on terror! Soaring energy prices! It’s been quite a tumultuous year for President George Bush. In this fast paced, musical romp, JibJab recaps the people, issues and events that shaped 2005. So ring in the New Year - JibJab Style!

Revamping Education

Michael Gurian argues the problem -- males aren't doing as well at school as they should be. Kate O’Beirne argues the cause -- the incorrect balance in education, favoring females to males. What will be the solution?

Should we return to single gender classrooms? Should we change the way classes are taught? I think part of the problem is that we are no longer giving young males the proper place to expend the extra energy they build up during the day. Excess energy that should be used constructively -- not used to play video games. Bring back shop class and the arts, have recess, encourage more hands-on learning, such as labs and other different learning-style beneficial tasks. Test scores will improve when the students are educated, not just prepared for a standardized test.

But above all, reintroduce motivation to learn. As a society, the United States is not ready for the new challenges before it. We need more people who are willing to put out the effort for higher education in the math and science fields. The earth won't be saved from global warming, pollution, and depletion of fossil fuels by expounding hot air over the regrets. We need people who can find the solutions. Families need to be more involved in the learning experience. If it takes a village to raise a child, the village should raise the child. No longer can the attitude be "what's in it for me" - it needs to be "what part am I doing."

Lastly, real education is needed. Open debate on opposing viewpoints to the same issue. Not teaching what to think, but teaching how to think. Not teaching a student to pass a test, but preparing a student for life's tests.

Are you a Digital Native or a Digital Immigrant

Test:
1. Take out your cell phone.
2. Pretend to dial a number.

Did you use your thumb or a finger?

Finger = Digital Immigrant.
Thumb = Digital Native.

Thanks to 'Brary Web Diva.

Narnia & Its Enemies

I didn't realize that Narnia was under attack as being sexist and racist. I figured there would be some who didn't like C.S. Lewis' books (hence movie), but not as this article describes it. I really like the answers Catherine Seipp gives, so I won't even attempt to answer them myself. I have yet to see the movie, but when I was younger, I liked the books.

Reposts from my MSN Spaces Site

I have copied all the posts over from my MSN Spaces site. I am still trying to figure out which site I prefer. Until I decide I will continue to publish in both.

Israel readies forces for strike on nuclear Iran

If this is carried out, I think it will become major news.  Iran won't just let it happen; Israel won't just let Iran go nuclear.

Sports and Prayer - Do they Mix?

If the question has to be asked, then that signifies that there is a problem. No, not the problem that most people think of: separation of church and state. Besides being highly contentious and politically charged, separation of church and state is a well documented, legally established, and to a large extent, peacefully settled issue. The AP article "Disagreements remain on what place prayer has in sport" clearly shows where the law and Supreme Court falls. Not having to be subjected to the religious beliefs or expressions of faith by the state is good. I wouldn't want it any other way. I should not have to listen to someone pray in order to attend a football game at a school, regardless of who is praying. Nor should an athlete be required to participate in or listen to a prayer lead by coach, chaplain, or student. Conversely, I shouldn't be banned from participating if I so choose.

No, the problem is not that of the government forcing religion or prohibiting it. The issue is not how to play sports with religion --the real issue is what role should religious beliefs play in everyday life? According to an oft quoted saying, going into a church does not make one a Christian any more than going into a McDonalds makes one a hamburger. But does walking out of a church make someone no longer a Christian? It seems as though that is what modern society is shifting toward.

The misunderstanding is between two simple words: private and personal. The words are very similar; in fact, private is used as a synonym of personal. So it is understandable, at first glance, how one might confuse the two. Yet, as any teacher of language, whether vernacular or foreign, would caution, even synonyms carry a different meanings, not all of which are interchangeable. For example, “vulgar” is a synonym of “vernacular” – the primary definition of vulgar is not equitable with vernacular, however. The same is true with private and personal.

Personal: Of or relating to a particular person; private

Private: Not appropriate for use or display in public; intimate

A simple Google search on private faith shows that several people confuse the words. Over 53,000 references. A personal faith, however, comes up with over 740,000 references. Admittedly, not in all cases are private and personal mutually exclusive, however the preponderance of evidence falls decidedly into the personal faith category.

Christianity never was meant to be a private faith. I do not know Pastor Peter Hong, nor do I know what he teaches, but one thing I do know is that he has hit the nail on the head:

“So much of what has gone wrong in the evangelical community is this notion that the Christian faith is a private faith,” says Hong. “It may begin as a personal faith, but it was never meant to be a private faith.”

We need to be careful that we do not fall into the trap of believing that we have a private faith. Jesus did say to pray in one’s closet, but that was not to hide the religion like this site states, but to keep from being prideful when praying.

The Washington basketball coach from the AP article stated that

“Every moment you walk, you want to live in such a manner that you are acknowledging God's presence. You're trying to be his advocate, his ambassador. I don't think we turn it on and off.”

Nor should we turn it off, for we were commanded:

Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

China suffers from a "spiritual vaccum" says Mistress Killer

The Los Angeles Times just ran a story about the return of the "second wives" (concubines or mistresses) to China. When the Communists took power, they outlawed the practice; now that capitalism is entering (again) into China, the problem is on the rise. That is to be expected as China now has a "commodity economy" in which anything is for sale. Companies have been created for the sole purpose of tracking down the cheating spouses.

Wei Wujun (famous private detective) hit the nail on the head, perhaps unknowingly, when he said that the problem was a spiritual vaccum. As long as anyone, regardless of location or ancestry or government, tries to fill the "God-shaped hole" with anything other than God, it will be a spiritual vacuum.

As China experiences growing pains associated with their changing economy, the answer is not far from them. The answer is not a return to Mao's ideology; the answer is not having more money; the answer is not even having a change in government. As long as "materialism is... their god" there will be trouble. Opening the doors (or Wall) to Christ is the only answer.

Wei Wujun was wrong on one area, however. It is not "many people with power and money are never satisfied" but rather all people who try to have just money.

Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. Ecclesiastes 5:10

Foreign Student Numbers Drop

US Colleges are very good. Look at how many people from outside the US come attend them. The situation is good all around for the most part -- the US gets to import the best and brightest of the student population of which many stay in the US. The students get benefits such as the education and jobs. However if a trend starts developing of enrollments being down, then the situation will worsen.

We already have a bad situation in science and engineering: "In many schools they account for the majority of graduate students in science and engineering. The United States is not producing enough engineers to maintain its global lead in that field. That is among many of the conclusions in the book I'm currently reading: The World Is Flat: A Brief History of the Twenty-first Century.

Bird Flu

The bird flu is coming. I find it amazing that just when humans start to think that they can be in charge of themselves and rule over the earth with their own power (science, technology, etc) something comes up that baffles the best and brightest. Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Hurricanes, and now the flu.

God is the one in control. But human pride keeps us from admitting that we are not. Storms of life will come and only those who have built their life on Christ will stand.

Debate is good for education, for science, for life.

Debate, a discussion involving opposing points, is good for education. Simple memorization of facts (or fiction) does not teach how to think or rationalize new ideas. Real education is not memorization. Educators should not be teaching what to think, rather how to think. In the science classroom, opposing views should be taught. I strongly disagree with Kansas Board of Education Member Janet Waugh:

"Why not be honest and say it is a faith issue? I personally believe in the biblical version of creationism, but I don't believe that my beliefs should be taught in a science class."

If you have two valid, yet opposing, views both should be taught in the classroom. Students should be taught to take conflicting theories about the same facts and decide for themselves which they find has more credibility. Anything less than that is not education.

I disagree though, with the Kansas board deciding to change the definition of science to include "supernatural explanations of natural phenomena." That is not science. Science is "the observation, identification, description, experimental investigation, and theoretical explanation of phenomena." Science cannot establish God or any other supernatural being. However, science can point to a supernatural explanation of the natural phenomena. The key difference is that science is not the study of the supernatural explanation but the study of the natural phenomena.

I don't understand, though, why the National Academy of Sciences and the National Science Teachers Association would revoke copyright privileges if the new curriculum was invoked. Do they want to stiffle debate and thereby stifflng education? Or are they just financially motivated (which would make no sense because they would lose the profits from the book sales)? Further study is needed.

People who haven't learned how to think in school are at a major disadvantage in life. Schools failing to teach that fail at their primary mission: preparing students for life.

Playing Politics with Education

While I don't know what started this, nor how it came about, today brought sad news to the world of science education. Rather than being able to present a valid, yet different, theory to science, the opponents have decided to win the battle by drowning the competition. By showing that those who support 'Intelligent-design' will lose their position on the school board, it forces educators to be silent for fear of losing their jobs. Intimidation and fear factors should not be used to slience valid educational activity.

Christmas Celebration- Brought to you by Christians in Jail

Although the headlines proclaim Chinese get prison time for Bible delivery, I find the real story to be more frustrating:

Imprisoned Falun Gong and Christians are forced to manufacture Christmas lights for export, according to Friends of Falun Gong and human rights activist Harry Wu.

Assuming the charges are correct, I wonder if those who manufacture the lights know what they are used for? How would you feel if you were forced to make Christmas lights while in jail for being a Christian? Sure enough, I checked the lights I bought last year and the package says "made in China." Were those made by my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? I'll never know. But what I do know is that I'll never look at the lights in the same way again. Will I choose not to purchase Christmas lights again? I don't think so. And my wallet dictates (along with store selection) the cheaper product -- made in China. This isn't the first time charges like that have been made.

On a much more encouraging note: doing the math of the charges, Cai Zhuohua, Xiao Yunfei, and Xiao Gaowen have been incredibly busy: Accused of distributing 200,000 Bibles in 10 years, that equates to 18.26 Bibles per day each.

Time to get busy.

Chinese Spy Ring

Just in case anyone thinks that because the cold war is over we don't need to worry about espionage: Four arrests linked to Chinese spy ring. This is why my job is still important.

Foolhardy Protective Measures

The idea of protecting students is honorable. The focus on keeping students safe online is admirable. Banning a tool, rather than teaching students to use it wisely, is foolhardy and does not educate or protect students. Thereby failing to accomplish the original goal.

Schools, businesses, and other such entities who own technology and let others use it can make rules on what to do on their systems (such as restricting employees from using the office computers to instant message or visit chat rooms). Furthermore, private schools can, and should, be allowed to set rules on how students are supposed to act outside of school. Private schools enter into contract with the student (actually the student's parent/legal guardian) stating that for so much money the student will be educated, and that both the school and the student will abide by certain guidlines. The school is justly able to set restrictions on in and out of school behavior.

My issue is not that the school shouldn't be able to make rules on out of school behavior, rather it is failing to educate the students. Students should be taught to exercise good protective measures when online. Don't give out information such as home address, telephone numbers, schedules, or any other personal information that would make the student vulnerable to identify theft, predators, and other dangers. The government refers to this as OPSEC. Teaching students to employ good OPSEC would be much better for the students long term.

Attempting to completely ban a technology (such as blogging) is fruitless. Especially when teenagers (among others) are embracing it at the current pace. Enforcing such a technology is also prohibitive. It is impossible to search the entire web (if you can figure out how to do it, you could put Google out of business) and extremely time consuming to constantly monitor students' actions outside of school. Moreover, proving that a particular has and maintains a blog or personal space site is a difficult burdon. If the school were to choose to follow with suspension for the violator, what if another student actually created the site and impersonated the supposed violator? Or how could the school prove that a claim from an actual violator of a third party impersonating the actual violator is false?

Blogging is not going away any more than email or telephone calls. Thinking that banning blogging is going to protect the students is just as foolish as thinking you can close your eyes and the bad guy along with his threat will disappear. Educate on the threats and how to mitigate them.

Primary school cancels Halloween celebration

As a country, we are loosing the battle for our schools. No longer revered as places of learning or preparatory stages for adulthood, we make them places where children can be safe: safe from having to face rejection on being hit with a ball during dodgeball, safe from having to celebrate holidays. Student ghosts unmasked. While I like the idea of having a school not actively celebrate Halloween, I find the reasoning to be dangerous. The principal made his decision based on the reports of some students boycotting school that day. Which begs the question: how many students (parents) boycotting school does it take to get school policy changed. Are we to end up with 3 school holidays (fall, winter, spring) because people will boycott Veterans Day? What about Memorial Day? Surely we can't have Thanksgiving or Christmas, those are already enough laced with religious ideals. Better tell Hall-mark to get ready.

If schools will capitulate to the parents soley on the fact that some people will not attend the school, then the school will cease to exist. It will become a glorified day care. Don't like what school policy is? Boycott. The policy will change. Don't like what the school is teaching? Boycott. Eventually, if it hasn't happened already, the needs of the students (to learn) will be secondary to the needs of the school officials (to not offend). And we wonder why other countries produce children educated enough to compete economically on a global scale while the US languishes toward the rear of the pack.

Christian girls beheaded in Indonesia

If anyone ever tires of getting up, heading to school and dealing with traffic, think about these three. They were walking to school and never made it there -- just because of their belief in Christ. While our days are spent passing opportunities to share with those around us because of our fears of rejection, others in the world have to face possible war. While the US and the rest of the world was focused on 9/11 and Afghanistant, people in Indonesia were dealing with a religious war that killed 1000 people. Christian girls beheaded in grisly Indonesian attack

RFID Chips in US Passports

I find the idea to embed RFID in passports a foolish one. The technology is too new to be a great benefit, and too exploitable to be a great threat. This ignores the underlying scheme to require, world-wide, a single identification system. U.S. Passports to Receive Electronic Identification Chips

War on Christmas

One of the many books coming out that I plan to read. I just found out about this one today. The link is to an interview about the book. http://www.nationalreview.com/comment/gibson200510270839.asp

Handing over control

During the last century, humans have consistently been giving control of their pleasure time to others: specifically radio, movies, television. The withdrawal into a lack of human contact or active thought has been warned against. The fears have now started to become reality. A device can now "remote control" human actions. Remote Control Device 'Controls' Humans

Welcome

Welcome:

I have no idea how often this site will be updated. Nor do I know what I will write. But thanks for stopping by.

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