Re: Evolution Controversy (posted for C. Klug)

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Date: Fri, 17 Nov 1995 03:28:12 -0600 (CST)
From: "C. Klug" <cklug@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu>
X-Sender: cklug@red.weeg.uiowa.edu
To: paleonet-owner@nhm.ac.uk
Subject: Re: Evolution Controversy
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     Well, what the heck, I might as well throw in my two cents!  It seems
to me that the Alabama disclaimer could very well be turned to one's
advantage.  It seems like a natural springboard for launching any number
of discussions on natural selection, scientific procedures and principles,
differences between hypotheses, theories, and dogma, etc.  This seems
particularly true if the disclaimer is posted in a prominent place such as
the covers of the books where it is likely to get the attention of the
students.  I think the school board would be hard pressed to suggest that
students and teachers essentially ignore the disclaimer that they
themselves have plastered on the books to get the students' attention.
Even if the students don't initiate the discussion, gentle nudging (I hope
this doesn't sound too devious) could easily get lively discussions going
on the above topics and the arguable need for such a disclaimer.  These
disussions need not develop into a creationist vs. evolutionist
confrontation but, with a bit of tact, could be restricted to a general
discussion of the merits and/or shortcommings of scientific vs. religious
protocol.  Ultimately, the disclaimer may justify the devotion of
considerably more time to the above topics than would normally be the case
and, at the same time, allow the honest presentation of the pros and cons
that will allow the students to draw their own conclusions.  Perhaps we
should encourage more school boards to affix similar disclaimers to their
textbooks!

          Curt (cklug@blue.weeg.uiowa.edu)