September 9, 2008
Palin’s creationism stance would impede progress
by Arthur Caplan
Philadelphia Inquirer, September 7, 2008
p. C6 (Editorial)
Teaching biblical inerrancy as science in the schools would endanger the ability of the U.S. to compete in the world of technological advances
There has been no end of reaction to Sen. John McCain’s selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his vice presidential pick. After the initial “Sarah who?” response from those in the other 49 states, some commentators have decided it was brilliant to place a dynamic young woman at McCain’s side.
Despite Palin’s boisterous coming-out speech at the Republican convention, I think McCain has actually thrown away any chance he had of being elected because the selection of Palin puts an issue on the table that McCain may find exceedingly uncomfortable to have to wrestle with over the next two months.
*Arthur Caplan is chairman of the medical-ethics department at the University of Pennsylvania.
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August 20, 2008
Judge backs UC on Christian courses
by Bob Egelko Chronicle Staff Writer
San Francisco Chronicle, August 13, 2008
p. B2
A federal judge says the University of California can deny course credit to applicants from Christian high schools whose textbooks declare the Bible infallible and reject evolution.
Rejecting claims of religious discrimination and stifling of free expression, U.S. District Judge James Otero of Los Angeles said UC’s review committees cited legitimate reasons for rejecting the texts — not because they contained religious viewpoints, but because they omitted important topics in science and history and failed to teach critical thinking.
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Teacher’s ‘branding’ case opens religious divide
by Tim Jones
Los Angeles Times, p. A23
August 15, 2008
John Freshwater, who teaches science, is said to have burned a student in class. But for some, his creationist beliefs are the crux.
Mt. Vernon, Ohio — It’s the kind of story that turns heads and stomachs alike, especially in a small town. A well-known and popular middle school science teacher known for strong religious beliefs is charged with branding the shape of a cross onto the forearm of an eighthgrader.
The teacher is in big and possibly career-ending trouble, a quiet college town is bitterly divided and the Bible is at the center of it.
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April 14, 2008
Actor holds special viewing of film for state lawmakers
by Kit Wagar and Jason Noble
The Kansas City Star, page B2
April 14 2008
Ben Stein pitches his new documentary, which questions gaps in the theory of evolution.
A bit of Hollywood’s right wing came to Missouri last week as Ben Stein showed up to pitch his new documentary, “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.”
The premise of the film is that serious scientists are systematically disparaged, discredited and blacklisted if they dare to mention the possibility that the infinite complexity of organisms might indicate design by a higher power.
Stein, the monotone-voiced actor and political essayist, introduced a special screening of the film in the Capitol rotunda. Stein said the movie was inspired by skepticism that a single theory, based on a modest amount of evidence, could explain the entire universe.
“We’re not saying teach creationism,” Stein said. “We just think you should be able to question Darwinism.”
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April 8, 2008
A movie that will revive the creationism debate
by Joseph Farah
Washington Times Weekly, page 32
March 3, 2008
There’s a movie coming out in April, and I can’t wait to tell you about it. It’s called “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed.” Imagine what Michael Moore might produce if we forcibly administered sodium pentothal to him. That would be “Expelled.”
It’s a documentary in which my old friend and colleague Ben Stein takes on the role of Michael Moore under the influence of the truth serum. Mr. Stein tries to get to the bottom of our origin and whether there is any hint of design in our universe.
This is expose-tainment at its best. “Expelled” covers the following key questions:
• Were we designed, or are we simply products of random chance, mutations and evolution occurring without any plan throughout billions of years?
• Is the debate regarding our origin settled?
• How should science deal with what appears to be evidence of design?
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