OKLAHOMA CITY — The Senate Education Committee on Monday narrowly defeated legislation to allow classroom discussion of alternative theories to evolution, along with other topics where science conflicts with religious or moral viewpoints.
The vote was 7-6 against Sen. Randy Brogdon’s Scientific Education and Academic Freedom Act.
Brogdon, R-Owasso, said science teachers in his district fear retribution for bringing up alternative theories on a wide range of subjects, such as evolution and stem cell research.
Sen. Richard Lerblance, D-McAlester, called the measure a subterfuge that would lead to teaching of theories based on religious viewpoints and not science.
“Senate Bill 320 is a wolf dressed in sheep’s skin,” Lerblance said, predicting it was a first step toward teaching intelligent design in Oklahoma schools.
“This is the biggest case of window dressing that I’ve seen” and “a direct slap at education,” Lerblance added.
The theory of an intelligent design to the universe and life has been advanced to counter court rulings prohibiting the teaching of creationism as science.
Brogdon said he did not mandate anything in his legislation, other than to allow teachers and students to have “an open dialogue on many types of issues.”
Sen. Susan Paddack, D-Ada, noted that Brogdon’s bill was endorsed by a preacher who spoke to the Senate last week and issued a warning about spreading atheism.
Brogdon said the minister spoke from the heart and his sentiments would probably be supported by “80 percent, probably 90 percent of Oklahomans.”
Sen. Jim Halligan, R-Stillwater, was among those voting against the measure.
Halligan objected to a provision he said would allow students to refuse to answer test questions on a subject because they did not believe what was being taught in textbooks.
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I wish Daily writers would stop referring to ID as a theory, as this gives the false impression that it's a scientific theory, a test it rigorously fails. It's more of a theory in the vein of "I have a theory that there was a second shooter on the Grassy Knoll."
I am very glad that Senator Brogdon's bill failed. Science classrooms should be used to teach science only. I commend the seven members of the Senate Education Committee for making a smart decision and protecting our curriculum and academic standards. If this bill had passed, science eudcation in out state would have suffered from non-scientific discussion, and would have impaired the ability of teachers to test students properly and fairly.
If we want to remain competitive against other states in our education of future doctors, biologists, and geneologists we must educate out children properly. Religion already has a forum, its called the church.
To the first commenter, if you look closely, this time it wasn't just The Daily that put ID out of context, it was the Associated Press. It is so sad that this false debate has gone so far and confused so many. ID is not Science!
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