OU students and faculty are busy celebrating the anniversary of Charles Darwin’s birth and the publishing of his book “On the Origin of Species,” but one Oklahoma lawmaker is not too happy about the party.
House Resolutions 1014 and 1015, introduced by Rep. Todd Thomsen, R-Ada, assert that OU’s recent evolution-related discussions, part of the “Darwin 2009” project, have been unfair and biased because proponents of creationism and intelligent design have not been represented equally alongside evolutionary biologists.
“I am trying to promote free thinking,” Thomsen said. “I strongly oppose the Department of Zoology for their unwillingness to lead our state in this discussion and not have opposing views in this matter.”
Although Thomsen’s resolutions would not enforce any government action if passed, his efforts still have been met with opposition.
“It’s breathtakingly stupid,” said Rob Boston, a spokesman for Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. “Rep. Thomsen might as well be complaining students are being indoctrinated with the theory of gravity.”
Boston said he thinks Thomsen’s resolutions promote creationism and are a step toward implementing creationism instruction in schools.
AUSCS is working with the Oklahomans for Excellence in Science Education to make sure creationism is kept out of the classroom, he said.
HR 1014 claims that the OU Department of Zoology has “been framing the Darwinian theory of evolution as doctrinal dogmatism rather than a hypothetical construction within the disciplines of sciences.”
But the word “theory” means something different in science than it does in colloquial language, according to Rosemary Knapp, director of graduate studies in the Department of Zoology.
“It’s as close to law as can be,” she said of the theory of evolution. “It’s the equivalent to gravity.”
Still, Thomsen said OU should encourage students to think independently about the issue by inviting speakers well-versed in creationism and intelligent design.
But creationism and intelligent design theories do not hold ground when compared to evolutionary biology, Knapp said.
“What’s really unfortunate is that people that are opposed to the fact that we don’t discuss things like intelligent design have a hard time recognizing intelligent design is not a scientific theory,” Knapp said. “It’s not on equal standing.”
The majority of Oklahomans hold views differ opposed to the teachings of evolutionary biology and the philosophy of author Richard Dawkins, who spoke on the Norman campus Friday night, Thomsen said.
“I don’t believe it was a good idea for Dawkins to speak and I don’t think he represents anything of scientific value or anything Oklahoma represents,” he said.
According to HR 1015, Dawkins’ “published theories about evolution and opinion about those who do not believe in the theory are contrary and offensive to the views and opinions of most citizens of Oklahoma.”
Thomsen did not point to any surveys to verify his statements regarding the opinions held by the majority of Oklahomans.
But even if the majority of Oklahomans do agree with Thomsen, it is still the responsibility of OU to educate citizens about evolutionary biology, Boston said.
“The underlining problem with these resolutions is they foster and promote ignorance,” Boston said. “Part of the reason public universities exist is to expose students to different ways of thinking.”
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RogerG 3 years, 2 months ago
Creationism and I.Design can be covered as just two theories and then discussed along with evolution. It can be done by presenting evidence and discussion that is NOT based on blind faith. We as a state probably have the most backward outlook and I bet there are people who think the earth is flat and that rapture and witches are all true.. But I see no reason a scientific mind cannot humor the faith based pseudoscientists. All you need is to say some people believe Creationism is science and that it is a theory with not many evidentiary trails. Same goes for I.Design. NO need to be afraid of alternates because ignorance abound in our state. Afterall we are not very high on college educated percentages.
RogerG 3 years, 2 months ago
if we go with majority opinion on facts and science then we are doomed. The majority believed the earth was flat and burnt people and called them heretics. Others believed in witchcraft. Others opposed integration and interracial marriage. So just because views and scientific fact are offensive to most citizens does not make it the right choice to foster ignorance and faith.. Why not declare earth to be flat because the Bible says so?
kdbp1213 3 years, 2 months ago
doesn't thomsen have other stuff he needs to be doing?
Gary 3 years, 2 months ago
I just sent the following email to Mr Thomsen.
Dear Representative Thomsen:
You seem to be unhappy about the attention Charles Darwin and his theory of evolution are receiving on this 150th anniversary of his "On The Origin of Species". Since you are so concerned about promoting free thinking, I would like to remind you of another important scientific anniversary this year.
It is the International Year of Astronomy celebrating the 400th anniversary of Galileo pointing his telescope to the heavens, which confirmed Copernicus' heliocentric theory of the solar system.
Since free thinking is of such critical importance to you, why are you not rushing to propose legislation defending Ptolemy's geocentric theory? After all, there are other opinions out there. Shouldn't they also receive fair consideration?
Sir, there are many Oklahoma citizens who are suffering greatly in this faltering economy. I respectfully ask you to quit wasting time and tax dollars on this nonsense and work full time solving the very serious problems your people face.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Gary Goddard
acsooner 3 years, 2 months ago
RogerG, although I admire your rally for tolerance and equality, your heart just isn't the right place. The following is really for everyone who are saying just what you're saying.
The reason why the idea of creationism (AKA intelligent design) cannot be presented to students along side evolution in academic settings is because... CREATIONISM IS NOT SCIENCE, THEREFORE IT CANNOT BE TAUGHT IN SCIENCE CLASSROOMS. Evolution (natural selection, descent with modification), is a theory that is virtually law, with a century's worth of rigorous observational data and evidence backed by millions of scientists, who have published hundreds of thousands of papers in peer-reviewed journals all over the world documenting exactly how evolution works.
Creationism is a late 20th century reworking of an old teleological argument that is several millenia old. It is the idea that we were created by a higher being, without a single piece of evidence or data. It is based on flawed arguments full of "what ifs" that is pushed solely by religious organizations and interest groups and not a single scientific organization.
It is true that at the time when Darwin/Wallace's theory was presented to the Linnaean Society, there were competing theories floating around (wiki: Lamarck, Chambers). However, their theories didn't hold up to the scientific method. Darwin's did and it was accepted. A century later, it is still being tested over and over and sure enough, it avails.
The issue is moot. Science should be taught with science. Leave creationism ideas to the philosophy and/or religion departments where they belong.
mikedavis 3 years, 2 months ago
I just sent the following message to Representative Thomsen's e-mail.
Representative Thomsen,
With all due respect, go **** yourself.
Evolution is science, and I am proud that the University of Oklahoma is hosting the Darwin 2009 Events. Instead of making yourself (and our great state) the laughing stock of the nation, perhaps you should spend your time focusing on something that matters. We need better healthcare, better funding for our schools and institutions of higher education, and we desperately need improvements to our roads and bridges. The next time you get the itch to write legislation condemning and lambasting individuals for their beliefs, I suggest you think about the golden rule for a moment.
I am going to make a big donation to your opponent in the next election. And I am going to ask my friends to do the same.
Have a nice day,
Michael J. Davis
Please send a message yourself to his addy at: todd.thomsen@okhouse.gov
SoonerTexan88 3 years, 2 months ago
@mikedavis I see your point, but that first bit of your e-mail was really unprofessional. If you are going to practice law grow up a little bit.
mfhayes 3 years, 2 months ago
Thomsen obviously did no research prior to writing his resolution.
There have been plenty of stupid Intelligent Design discussions/debates on campus. There are also plenty of church groups on campus. No one has a problem with these, or all the obnoxious "christian" billboards in Oklahoma.
Intelligent Design would only be welcome in the scientific community if it could stand up to scientific experimentation. But it can't. So, move along.
Thoughts on creation "theories" are welcome at the university... in religious studies courses. They don't belong in science classes. The end.
WilliamP 3 years, 2 months ago
Equal time for Intelligent Design and Creationism? Why not equal time for Communist-style 'command economics' in Econ. classes? How about equal time in history classes that teach that the Bush administration planned the 9/11 attacks, or that the moon landing was faked, or that the CIA engineered the HIV virus?
Universities are not there to teach the view that is popular in the community. Equal time for Creationism means equal time for every other crazy idea that interest groups will push to get into the classroom.
Conservatives should stop pursuing equal time for Creationism/Intelligent Design in schools. Making schools teach one type of nonsense that they agree with will open the flood gates to all other types of nonsense that they don't want to be taught.
mikedavis 3 years, 2 months ago
Yes. It was unprofessional, but I wanted to get his attention. He is probably flooded with e-mails regarding this topic, and I wanted mine to stand out.
Perhaps my use of unsavory language seems immature, but I was hoping to employ it only as an attention getter.
In retrospect, it probably was not a good idea, especially with my comments being published in the Daily. But I will admit it felt pretty good to say it.
mdcaton 3 years, 2 months ago
Thomsen has to choose what's more important to him and his constituents, economic success or superstition. If it's such a great theory that determines equal time, where are all the creationist medicines? The creationist patents? Does Thomsen only go to creationist physicians (of which there are precious few)? Sounds like evolution just plain outcompetes creationism. One good way to look at it is that people have made MONEY by understanding evolution, lots of it, and applying it to create products that help human beings. I guess to Thomsen that's not important.
Economic growth now and in the future is based on high tech industries that require highly educated workers. Many other countries understand this clearly, China foremost among them. So which is it Thomsen? Economic success, or tiptoe around trying not to offend our grandmothers, and let the Chinese control the future?
I emailed Thomsen asking him to include me on the resolution right next to Dawkins, and I think so should everyone else: http://luckyatheist.blogspot.com/2009/03/representative-todd-thomsen-bans.html
dio 3 years, 2 months ago
@mikedavis Man, your e-mail is awesome.
@mikedavis and mdcaton You guys aren't worried they now have your names and that they will look you up?
mikedavis 3 years, 2 months ago
I am a law student.
I want him to know my name. I don't mind if he looks me up. And if I become a target of his loony legislation I have friends at the ACLU who will defend my free speech rights.
Once again, his e-mail is todd.thomsen@okhouse.gov. Let him know what you think.