Intelligent design to be taught in Queensland schools under national curriculum (1 Viewer)

[SeCKSiiMiNh]

Intelligent design to be taught in Queensland schools under national curriculum | Courier Mail

CREATIONISM and intelligent design will be taught in Queensland state schools for the first time as part of the new national curriculum.
Creationists dismiss the science of evolution, instead believing that living things are best explained by an intelligent being or God, rather than an undirected process such as natural selection.
The issue of creationism being taught in schools has caused huge controversy in the US, where some fundamentalist religious schools teach it as a science subject instead of Darwin's theory of evolution.
In Queensland schools, creationism will be offered for discussion in the subject of ancient history, under the topic of "controversies".
Teachers are still formulating a response to the draft national curriculum, scheduled to be introduced next year.
Queensland History Teachers' Association head Kay Bishop said the curriculum asked students to develop their historical skills in an "investigation of a controversial issue" such as "human origins (eg, Darwin's theory of evolution and its critics").
"It's opening up opportunities for debate and discussion, not to push a particular view," Ms Bishop said. Classroom debate about issues encouraged critical thinking – an important tool, she said.
Associated Christian Schools executive officer Lynne Doneley welcomed the draft curriculum, saying it cemented the position of a faith-based approach to teaching.
"We talk to students from a faith science basis, but we're not biased in the delivery of curriculum," Mrs Doneley said. "We say, 'This is where we're coming from' but allow students to make up their own minds."
But Griffith University humanities lecturer Paul Williams said it was important to be cautious about such content.
"It's important that education authorities are vigilant that this is not a blank cheque to push theological barrows," Mr Williams said.
"I would be loath to see it taught as theory.
"It's up there with the world being occupied by aliens since Roswell."
Ms Bishop said there were bigger problems with the national curriculum.
History teachers are planning to object to repetitive subject matter, such as World War I being a major part of the Year 10 course and repeated in Year 11.

UM

 

[Tangent]

Moving so fast we're going backwards

At least it isn't classified as a science... I'M TRYING TO BE POSITIVE!

 

[TacoTerrorist]

What a joke, seriously what the hell.

 

[abbeyroad]

this is ridiculously!! this is discriminatory!!!! I demand that Pastafarianism be taught in those schools as well!!!!!1!

 

[Lentern]

Ms Bishop

lol.

 

[Shrewmy]

This is what happens when stupidity and ignorance gain power.

 

[shuttle_bus5]

...... sigh

 

[shuttle_bus5]

This is what happens when we let a female thinks she has power

 

[peikoff]

Absolute disgrace, another indicator of the downfall of western civilisation

 

[kaz1]

It doesn't seem that bad. It looks like their teaching how religion hindered scientific progress.

 

[Lipin]

Atheists have had the reins for too long. This will help bring Australia closer to the values upon which this Christian nation were founded, and ultimately- God.

 

[niloony]

It doesn't seem that bad. It looks like their teaching how religion hindered scientific progress.

The problem is it may legitimise intelligent design for some students and they will link it to being a scientific debate as opposed to a religion vs science one. I mean it is ok to say why evolution may not be the case (in a scientific fashion) but no mention of baseless alternatives should be included.

Though this article could just be worded to make it sound worse than it is.

 

[Tangent]

The problem is it may legitimise intelligent design for some students and they will link it to being a scientific debate as opposed to a religion vs science one. I mean it is ok to say why evolution may not be the case (in a scientific fashion) but no mention of baseless alternatives should be included.

Though this article could just be worded to make it sound worse than it is.

It also depends on who is teaching it. Even though there is the syllabus, what a child is actually taught can still be swayed by bias

 

[Mayazcherquoi]

Atheists have had the reins for too long. This will help bring Australia closer to the values upon which this Christian nation were founded, and ultimately- God.

/me is rolling on the floor laughing his ass off at this comment.

 

[Mayazcherquoi]

Associated Christian Schools executive officer Lynne Doneley welcomed the draft curriculum, saying it cemented the position of a faith-based approach to teaching.

Err... faith-based approach?

"1 plus 1 is 9"
"No it isn't!"
"Shut up, it is according to God"

or...

"Pi is exactly 3"
"What? Isn't it 3.14159...?"
"Shut up, it is according to God"


If everything was based off of faith, we'd all be dead by now since we'd all fall off a cliff or because instead of doctors we'd have priests...

 

[Chemical Ali]

creationism will be offered for discussion in the subject of ancient history

it's odd, because literalist creationism is a very 21st century, american phenomenon; intelligent design even more so!

 

[Matt2233]

I don't get why everyone is against it, although i do find it odd that it is an ancient history topic and not a modern one. I think its great that the ciriculum is going to encourage debate about such an interesting and contemporary issue.

 

[tommykins]

lol

 

[Chemical Ali]

I don't get why everyone is against it, although i do find it odd that it is an ancient history topic and not a modern one. I think its great that the ciriculum is going to encourage debate about such an interesting and contemporary issue.

There is no debate.

also

 

[LoveHateSchool]

How is it taught under the national curriculum yet only in Queensland?

Urg, I don't think intelligent design should be taught at all in schools. Religion should not be allowed at secular public schools. If you want to learn this stuff, go to a religious school.