Wednesday, February 01, 2012

Indiana Senate passes multi-Creation myths bill

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Creation myth
Science!

Last week, Indiana senators proved their fidelity to religious interests over proper education when the Senate Education Committee approved a bill pushing Christian Creationism in school science classrooms. Further demonstrating their commitment to fables, the Senate at large has now passed the bill, sending it to the House for final approval. But the best part is how these legislators apparently think that a good way to appease critics is to point out that, hey, they’re also including a bunch of other forms of unscientific garbage in their bill than just Christian mythology:

The Indiana Senate has approved a bill to allow the state's public schools to teach creationism in science classes as long as they include origin of life theories from multiple religions.

The Senate passed the bill on a 28-22 vote even though some senators raised questions about the measure's constitutionality. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

The bill permits local school boards to offer classes that include origin theories from religions including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Scientology.

There’s one little flaw in their reasoning (if one can even call it “reasoning”): The reason that peddling religious bunk as science is wrong (and illegal) is not solely because it violates the separation of church and state, which it brazenly does, but also because – how do I put this? – religious bunk is not freaking science. Perhaps these gormless lawmakers could strive for even further inclusion by including astrology and phrenology, along with the anatomy of the Jabberwock and the mores of Cthulhu as well; they all have an equally appropriate role in public science education.

At any rate, that rumbling roar you hear approaching is the sound of the massive lawsuit they’re about to lose in spectacular fashion.

(via Pharyngula)