Arizona promotes Bible course for public schools

I spoke to a teacher in East Texas who has a Bible elective class. He states that the students enjoy the class a great deal.

Arizona proposes elective Bible course for high schools – USATODAY.com: "A state lawmaker has proposed legislation that would make Arizona the sixth state in the nation to allow school systems to offer a high-school elective course on the Bible. Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas already have laws allowing such classes.
Arizona law doesn't ban the use of the Bible, or any other religious document, as part of a public-school class curriculum as long as it is for academic purposes and does not involve sectarian ideas or religious devotion. But state Rep. Terri Proud, a Republican from Tucson, Ariz., said teachers and school districts still are often afraid to even discuss religion in their classrooms."

Maybe Arizona will influence other states to follow this trend of promoting the Bible to America's children.

On 39th anniversary of Roe v. Wade, Obama's remarks

President Obama’s Asinine Remarks on the 39th Anniversary of Roe v. Wade « Denny Burk

British Couple Declares Sex Of Child They Raised As ‘genderless’ For 5 Years

The Heavens declare the value of humanity, yet some do not wish to appreciate that value. One's being is directly connected to their gender.

British Couple Reveals Sex Of Child They Raised As ‘genderless’ For 5 Years | Fox News: "A British couple who raised their child as "gender neutral" in a bid to break free from stereotyping revealed Friday that their five-year-old is a boy.

Beck Laxton and her partner Kieran, from Sawston in central England, referred to their son, Sasha, as "the infant" and dressed the youngster in ambiguous outfits to keep his sex a secret from friends and strangers.

They decided to tell people the child's gender after it became more difficult to conceal when he started pre-school."

When this child grows to adulthood, this "experiment" will prove to be folly. The two women who are the child's parents stated, " "but at the moment he's not really bothered either way," she said. "All I want to do is make people think a bit." All I want is other people to think a bit? "The selfishness of the guardians of this child is evident.

Study after study affirms that a child naturally acts in accordance with his or her gender. This is why the mantra of 'I was born this way', is not publicized in the media like it once was. Yes there are differences of hormones in new born babies. Yes there are examples of hermaphroditism. These are difficult situations that should be treated respectfully as with any other special needs. But to grow a child genderless simply because you want other people to think about it is abusive for the child.

To say that parents or guardians have no bias in the way a child is raised is not truthful. One can provide non gender toys and activities but children are aware of adult's perception on some level of consciousness. 

Stephen Hawking's Explanation of the Universe Stinks

One of the most intelligent persons of all time is Stephen Hawking. However his opinions are not always based on logic and truth.

10 Questions for Stephen Hawking - TIME: "Does the universe end? If so, what is beyond it? —Paul Pearson, HULL, ENGLAND
Observations indicate that the universe is expanding at an ever increasing rate. It will expand forever, getting emptier and darker. Although the universe doesn't have an end, it had a beginning in the Big Bang. One might ask what is before that, but the answer is that there is nowhere before the Big Bang, just as there is nowhere south of the South Pole."

What kind of illogical response is this? There is always a south of a spherical shape. The perspective one has is what changes as they observe it from vertical and horizontal angles. We may have a point of view that the Universe sponatasioly created itself as Hawking maintains. However the Word of God says differently.

Job 26:7 says the earth is held by nothing. The emptiness of observed space is where the earth dwells. What lies south of the south pole is the very space God ordained. Just as in the beginning God created the cosmos.

'

Canada Choosing Which Gender Survives Mother's Womb

A recent report maintains a significant amount of female babies being aborted in Canada. Mostly from Asian countries the study suggests. How do we as a society respond to such actions. By Doing Nothing! We choose the make and model of car we wish to drive, we choose the type of house to live in and now due to ultrasounds we can choose the sex of our babies by eliminating the undesirable.

Why are Canadians aborting female fetuses? | Sympatico.ca Lifestyle: "Due to immigration to Canada from Asian countries where there is a preference for sons, thousands of unwanted girls are aborted each year in Canada, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research.

Luckily, a new editorial in the Canadian Medical Journal suggests a viable way to put a stop to sex selection in Canada.

"The solution is to postpone the disclosure of medically irrelevant information to women until after about 30 weeks of pregnancy," wrote Doctor Rajendra Kale, CMJ's Interim Editor-in-Chief.

While society does nothing, society will reap negative consequences. Narcissism, greed will occur in our societal personality. These attitudes affect morals in our home life and business life. A stronger consequence, however, will be a newer sexism. Females will be affected in the way they are valued in society. Let's hope the trend changes fast.

The New Science Classroom Battleground: Climate Change | Wired Science | Wired.com

Not just evolution is being criticised in public schools. More than ever students are asking tough questions regarding the cause of global warming. Teach the Controversy is a slogan promoted by the Discovery Group based in Seattle, Washington. (www.discovery.org). Without any major campaign from creationist doubts are being dealt with in science class rooms concerning climate change.

The New Science Classroom Battleground: Climate Change | Wired Science | Wired.com: " But over the last several years, that’s changed as more and more bills have been introduced that target both evolution and climate change. With times changing, the NCSE is changing with them. Today, it’s announcing that its support of students and educators will be broadened to include climate change."

The National Center of Science Education, NCSE is dealing with climate change challenges. Some of the comments related to the above article are intriguing. One writer spoke of how he was scared as a kid due to public school teachers painting a bleak picture by 2005. America will turn to deserts etc.

I remember as a youth being scared that over population would create mass starvation in the US. Wow! It looks like fear is still a tactic used by educators without considering alternatives.

Our Sun's Origin is Very Special Says National Geographic

National Geographic reports on the controversy of where our sun originated. In doing so they bring up a couple of the exact variables in order for life to exist.

Mystery Deepens Over Where Sun Was Born: "The key factor is that the sun is currently traveling at roughly 67,000 miles (108,000 kilometers) an hour away from M67.

Pichardo and her team's simulations show that, in the unlikely event of the sun's ejection from M67 at the right place and the right time, the star's speed would have to have been closer to 130,000 miles (209,000 kilometers) an hour—much too fast to ensure the solar system's safety.

At such speeds, "if planets are not kicked out, they can at least be perturbed into noncircular orbits," Pichardo said. "A [roughly] circular orbit is a big reason the Earth is habitable and we're alive today."

If Earth's orbit were more elliptical, the planet would bake when it drifted too close to the sun and then go into a deep-freeze as it moved away, a scenario perhaps too hostile to support life."

Can it be said that National Geographic understands how privledged our planet really is? If they would write about the other variables that happened by chance (sic).

Speed of the sun from other stars at a specific required time

The unique orbit of the earth which original material had to be expelled at the right time and speed

The right distance of the earth from the sun, not too far and not too close

All happened by chance? I don't think so.

Missouri Attempts to teach intelligent design

We heard about New Hampshire a couple of weeks ago and now Missoouri Lawmakers are wanting to inject the controversy in public schools.

Missouri bill would require the teaching of intelligent design - KansasCity.com: "A Republican lawmaker from Harrisonville wants all students in Missouri public schools, as well as those in introductory college courses, to be taught intelligent design alongside evolution in their science classes.

Rep. Rick Brattin said his bill is about teaching both sides of a debate in “an objective manner.” But his critics contend he’s just trying to inject religion in the classroom.

“Intelligent design is a religious philosophy, not a science,” said Josh Rosenau, programs and policy director for the National Center for Science Education."

These days language can be fuzzy. Intelligent design is not inherently religious as Josh Rosenau states. Even if intelligent design is deemed religious it is not more religious then Darwinian evolution. The humanism religious movement promotes evolution as one of its main tenants. Indeed Catholics maintain evolution as God's plan for the ages. At best evolution is a theoretical science and nowhere near applied science.

Southern pastors believe in creation

Where do our pastors stand on the issue of creation and evolution. You might be surprised what your local pastor believe about the issue of life origins and the Bible.

 Pastors overwhelmingly believe that God did not use evolution to create humans and think Adam and Eve were literal people, according to a recent survey by LifeWay Research. The survey of 1,000 American Protestant pastors also found that ministers are almost evenly split on whether the earth is thousands of years old.

Ben Stein Expelled from Kyocera?

Ben Stein has been a public advocate for academic freedom. His outspoken concern for evolutionary bias against the intelligent design observations is commendable.

Was Ben Stein "Expelled" by Kyocera and Ad Agency for His Views on Intelligent Design? Evolution News & Views January 12, 2012 12:37 PM | Permalink Ben Stein has filed a lawsuit after being booted from a gig because of his views on issues including global warming. Reuters has the story:

Poll Finds 43 Percent Of People Believe God Helps Tebow Win « CBS Denver

It is interesting that over 50 percent of young adults believe that God helps Tebow win. What does this type of activity suggest about  Christianity to the world?

Poll Finds 43 Percent Of People Believe God Helps Tebow Win « CBS Denver: "According to a national telephone survey conducted by Poll Position, 43 percent of people believe that “divine intervention” is responsible for his success compared to 42 percent of people surveyed who think that God has nothing to do with Tebow winning."

World's smallest frog discovered

Kudos for the scientist who made this outstanding discovery.

BBC News - World's smallest frog discovered: "A frog species that appears to be the world's smallest has been discovered in Papua New Guinea by a US-based team.

At 7mm (0.27 inches) long, Paedophryne amauensis may be the world's smallest vertebrate - the group that includes mammals, fish, birds and amphibians."

Can the Universe come from nothing?

Some have asked how could people believe the Universe came from nothing. This about an evolutionary response.

Theoretical physicist Lawrence Krauss has taken on plenty of edgy topics, ranging from evolution to the state of science policy, to quantum quackery, to the science of "Star Trek." But in his latest book, he takes on what might be the edgiest topic of all: how all the somethingness of our universe could have arisen from nothingness without divine intervention.

http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/09/10076985-how-to-get-a-cosmos-from-nothing

Stephen Hawking's birthday video

Happy belated Bday Dr. Hawking. Check out this video: "God and Stephen Hawking" http://t.co/kh8UboT2 -- DiscoveryCSC (@DiscoveryCSC)

The limits of science explained

In a series of essays for The New Atlantis, Talbott writes about the limits of conventional science and http://t.co/0mECJsK0 -- DiscoveryCSC (@DiscoveryCSC)

Tebow's Biblical Game: 316 Yards Invokes Key Verse | Fox News

Would it be a crime to teach sportsmanship like Tebow follows? How can children benefit from Tebow's model?

Tebow's Biblical Game: 316 Yards Invokes Key Verse | Fox News: "The devout Christian's stat line in Sunday's game mirrors the numbering of the Biblical passage that Tebow at times had painted on to his black eye paint during his career at the University of Florida -- John 3:16.

The passage reads, according to the New American Standard Bible, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life."

Officially, Tebow passed for 316 yards against the Steelers, completing 10 of 21 pass attempts -- meaning he passed for 31.6 yards per completion."

Tebow demonstrates that the Bible could help one in confidence to be successful.

Sign a petition for Academic Freedom among teachers in public schools

Event Registration Page - Academic Freedom Petition

Humanist in Britain upset at new schools promoting Creation

BHA: More creationist Free Schools planned for 2013 opening

Freedom from mandatory evolution teaching happens in new private schools in Britain

Michael Zimmerman' s take on New Hampshire's proposed ID law.

Creationism in New Hampshire: Attacking Science and Undermining Religious Freedom - The Huffington Post

I really do not think this proposed law in NH will make it to the legislator.

CSC - Rick Santorum, the Santorum Amendment and Intelligent Design

Rick Santorum, Republican presidential candidate has a record of supporting Intelligent Design as a discussion point in public schools.

From the Discovery Institute:

CSC - Rick Santorum, the Santorum Amendment and Intelligent Design: " The Santorum Amendment (in both its original and revised version) did not mandate teaching intelligent design, nor did it encourage teaching creationism or religion in the classroom. Instead, it encouraged open discussion and inquiry by teachers and students.

The approach advocated by the Santorum Amendment is favored by the vast majority of Americans, no matter what their race, gender, or political party. According to a nationwide Zogby poll in 2009, 80 percent of likely voters “agree that teachers and students should have the academic freedom to discuss both the strengths and weaknesses of evolution as a scientific theory,” while 78 percent of likely voters agree with the statement, “Biology teachers should teach Darwin’s theory of evolution, but also the scientific evidence against it.” "

Did you 'really' learn about evolution in high school bio? Many current students don't

Did you 'really' learn about evolution in high school bio? Many current students don't:

We really do not need laws passed to promote the logical fallacy of evolution. Teachers are many times avoiding the issue for their conscious sake. Creation and intelligent design remain popular topics.

Cee Lo Green changes words of John Lennon's athiest song

Imagine there's no Lennon… | Face to faith | Paul Handley | Comment is free | The Guardian

Richard Dawkins' Children book

Column: This atheist tried to steal Christmas – USATODAY.com

Emory Prof. Endorses Teach Both Views

Emory University Professor of Pedagogy Endorses Teaching the Evolution Controversy - Evolution News & Views

New Hampshire Lawmakers Battle Evolution in Schools

How do you think children should learn in public schools? Should Creation be taught in a Biology classroom? How about evolution? What are the limits of a School District and the privileges of teachers?

Two anti-evolution bills are to be discussed and potentially voted upon in New Hampshire. See New Year Brings New Attacks on Evolution in Schools by Stephanie Pappas, LiveScience Senior Writer.

New Hampshire House Bill 1148 would mandate evolution only to be referred to as a theory with relationship to other views including atheism. Another Proposal related to evolution is HB 1457. Teachers would be required to promote a non committal attitude toward a theory or hypothesis due to potential challenging new evidence. While not mentioning "evolution", it is obvious that this bill's intention is to create suspicion over Darwinian evolution.

“Republican State Rep. Gary Hopper, who with his Republican district mate John Burt introduced HB 1457, told the Concord Monitor that the theory of evolution teaches students that life is nothing but an accident.”
This statement is a smoke screen to reality. Evolution beliefs do not suggest children are accidents. . Obviously most parents today are delighted in the life of their children. Life is precious and embraced by both atheists and theists. One should not be threatened by conclusions derived from evolution theory. Representatives Hooper and Burt are fighting the wrong battle.

The biggest threat to our educational system is not mandatory evolution teaching but the elimination of a teacher’s free speech. By mandating a script for teacher’s to follow is nothing more than creating robot zombies as teachers of children. Hooper and Burt are urging teachers to simply follow a script instead of their own burden of instruction.

Creation should be taught in public school but not mandated specifically. Supernatural creation is a topic that the majority of teenagers ponder. It should be addressed in a way as all issues are in the area of critical thinking. This is where the battle rages-freedom for critical inquiry and expression in our class rooms.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!  Great Things Will Happen in 2012!

 The topic of origin of life is discussed on a large scale in academia without reference to a God. This is paradoxical in that Western culture founded academia on Christian principles. "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." The Christian faith inspired scientists to study the world around them.  Every university founded before 1900 was founded on Christian principals.

Today we should honor and revere Christian principals especially the true foundation of life.  The palmist says “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?”  Psalms 11:3. It is not disingenuous to assume God ordained life as we know it. The patriach Job was challenged by God "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding."  Job 38:4.

This blog is about the foundations that are important to everyone. Discussions about intelligent design and creation are important topics. Recent discoveries in science should not be a threat to Christians but be a discussion point not to be avoided. God’s word does not contain specifics of science but it does inform on topics of foundations of life. The Apostle Peter states “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. “ 1Peter 1:25. God has a message involving his creation.  We should appreciate the universe around us knowing this fact.