To the Kansas School Board

[NJPaint]

Let us remember that there are multiple theories of Intelligent Design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster.

http://www.venganza.org/index.htm

with accompanying Uncyclopedia entry: http://uncyclopedia.org/wiki/Flying_Spaghetti_Monster

[spantol]

*golf clap*

[Jaan]

So, would going to Uncle Tony's for dinner be considered "Communion"? I prefer the term "ritualistic cannibalism" myself (c:

"Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc"

Disclaimer:

"This thread contains material on creationism. Creationism is not a theory, let alone a fact; it is a religious notion about the origin of life, not supported by evidence. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered."

[Jakedubbleya]

"Creationism is not a theory, let alone a fact; it is a religious notion about the origin of life, not supported by evidence. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered."

Any other existance theories (big bang etc) are just as speculative as a creationist theory. What is this "evidence" for matter/energy suddenly apparating by the laws of science?

[spantol]

Any other existance theories (big bang etc) are just as speculative as a creationist theory. What is this "evidence" for matter/energy suddenly apparating by the laws of science?

Here you go, Jake: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_ban...ional_evidence

What distinguishes a scientific theory like BBT from theology like Creationism is that a scientific theory is predictive and falsifiable. BBT's formulation allows for predictions to be made, and tested for. When (or if) observations that conflict with BBT's predictions are made, classical BBT will be rejected, and a new, more complete model will come about.

By contrast, Creationism offers no predictions or insight into the natural world. As such, it is not science, and to co-opt scientific jargon to describe it is disingenuous, if not downright sinister: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wedge_strategy.

[NJPaint]

Any other existance theories (big bang etc) are just as speculative as a creationist theory. What is this "evidence" for matter/energy suddenly apparating by the laws of science?

Evidence? Do you want the Astrophysics 312 explanation or the layman version? Just as speculative? Hmmm. Lets see. They predicted that CMBR would exist at 2.73K, it did. They predicted that the redshift of the furthest quasars would be z = 1100 and guess what, it did! Your only arguement is "but science can't explain how stuff popped up out of no where!" Well, you are right, they don't know where it all came from originally. But in terms of predicting the future/being useful to humanity science provides answers, clues etc. Creationism is just as useful as a Flying Spaghetti Monster in that field.

[Jaan]

Any other existance theories (big bang etc) are just as speculative as a creationist theory. What is this "evidence" for matter/energy suddenly apparating by the laws of science?

Actually, what I quoted was a play on words. The original unaltered statement is on the stickers which are put into science textbooks in Georgia:

"This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered"

In all fairness, I lifted mine from an old article from the JREF ( www.randi.org

[spantol]

To clarify this point, there are scientific hypotheses concerning the cause of the Big Bang. They are conjectures that predict a number of ancillary phenomena. Due to the nature of the physics involved, though, testing these hypotheses is rather difficult--the energies involved are beyond our current production ability.

These conjectures differ from "God did it" in that they are, again, predictive and falsifiable. The latter just not at the moment.

Also, if we're going to get into a knock-down, drag-out fight over Creationism vs Evolution, let's just get this out of the way: http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/list.html

I think it'll save everyone some time.

Well, you are right, they don't know where it all came from originally.

[WenULiVeUdiE]

Don't let Tom see this thread. He'll write an entire book on it.

[MoneyShot]

hey i live in kansas

[Hairball]

My elementary school gifted teacher from Shawnee Mission School District sent that to me.

[Vex]

hey i live in kansas

Hey, I live in Arkansas...and let me tell you--a vast majority of the people here haven't evolved yet.

[kosmo]

Ah thats quality. I sincerely hope the delegate that responded intending to bring that up to the board does so. Conservative America is really starting to piss me off though. I see the benefit to teaching alternate views on the world, but that is what a theology class is for.

[bornl33t]

"This thread contains material on creationism. Creationism is not a theory, let alone a fact; it is a religious notion about the origin of life, not supported by evidence. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered."

I sugjest you stop reading about Randi's opinions and start making your own.

[kosmo]

I suggest learning the english language before you try to insult someone with it. Then once you have learned to spell, work on more advanced concepts, like hypocrisy.