Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by mick herman on June 6, 2012 at 4:15pm

evolution is fact, stupid design is a myth

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Permalink Reply by Lorraine on June 6, 2012 at 4:41pm

I would just stick to teaching them the facts about evolution. If one of them should happen to ask about intelligent design then briefly explain why there's no scientific basis for it and move on.

I don't think you should make a big deal out of it, or the kids might start to get the idea that ID is actually a valid concept worthy of their attention.

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Permalink Reply by Rob Klaers on June 6, 2012 at 5:02pm

My first thought is using a butterfly as an example... Evolution is like a caterpillar that builds a cocoon around itself.. then due to a lot of little changes over a period of time that caterpillar becomes a beautiful butterfly... What creation says that the butterfly just appeared exactly as it is flying in the air just as you see it.   Which makes more sense? Which can you experience and observe happening?     Then let them figure things out.

You may want to use (assuming you can find them) real caterpillars to bring the point home

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Permalink Reply by Saanwal Noor on June 7, 2012 at 5:23pm

That wouldn't really work would it? I mean, just think about it a li'l bit...

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Permalink Reply by Rob Klaers on June 7, 2012 at 6:16pm

I'm not saying it's a perfect example. But it's one which would be understandable by the 10-11 year olds. And it encourages a hands-on approach while allowing them to think and come up with an answer for themselves. 

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Permalink Reply by archaeopteryx on June 7, 2012 at 7:03pm

I realized, when I first read the premise above, that an analogy for that age group was what was needed, but I couldn't think of any offhand, and though yours might be less than perfect, it's certainly the best idea yet.

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Permalink Reply by archaeopteryx on June 7, 2012 at 6:02pm

That's a good analogy, Rob.

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Permalink Reply by John Jon on June 6, 2012 at 8:23pm

if you tell them the truth you might be fired 

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Permalink Reply by James Cox on June 6, 2012 at 9:48pm

Dear Folks:

Intelligent Design, by its very title suggests that the universe or nature shows, by its very nature and structure, the need for some 'very bright creative engineer' to build it.

I remember several come backs over the years:

Would an intelligent designer build a Mr. Hagee? Allow mutations? Birth defects? Create so my types of beetles? Allow the development of cancer? Allow the existence of radioactive material? Build such a bad thumb for the panda? Or limit us to 10 commandments?

Just asking...    

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Permalink Reply by Rich on June 6, 2012 at 10:04pm

I posted this ages ago but I never got round to the lesson. Im actually going to do it today. Im not going to mention ID but I am going to mention that in the past many people believed in a creator but today, because of insufficient evidence, most people just believe in a god because they are scared of dying and this belief in a creator will gain them entry to another place. Its piece of mind for them. By emphasizing that people 'used' to believe in a god (which isn't lying to them because more people are turning away from religion nowadays) I am hoping that they will think a little more about the absence of a deity and not be wrapped up in fear of the future; as in afterlife.

I think they are lucky to have a free thinking teacher like myself to get them to question the idea of religion because in Thailand, nobody thinks for them self. Its like living in the dark ages sometimes. Thanks for all your ideas. Please keep adding.

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Permalink Reply by Rich on June 6, 2012 at 10:16pm

This is the kind of shit that annnoys me. See the text above the white board.... (image below)

"The fear of god is the beginning of wisdom"

This is in grade 4. So the kids are around 7-8 years old.....

PATHETIC!

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Permalink Reply by Rich on June 6, 2012 at 10:23pm

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