193 Responses to “Polk County to include Intelligent Design”

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1. 101 daren niklerog Dec 8th, 2007 at 6:49 pm

   Just sent to the board…

   I applaud you for your courage and convictions in advocating for a balanced science curriculum in Polk County.

   Despite the fact that science embodies logic, reason, evidence, and the peer review process, nothing can trump our faith that there is another, greater explanation for the universe. That’s what my parents taught me, and that’s what their parents taught them, and so on. Could all of my ancestors stretching back thousands of years be wrong?

   But, I implore you all not to shortchange your students. While ID has no physical evidence to support the theory, it is not the only alternative to rational thought out there. Please consider incorporating the theory of the Flying Spaghetti Monster into your science curriculum. While I grant you that there is far more logic behind FSM than ID, I can also assure you that, at its core, FSM is really based on faith and therefore passes your rigid test as appropriate material for your children.

   I thank you for your consideration. If you would like to learn more about my faith, I would be most happy to enlighten you.

   R’ Amen

2. 102 rmw Dec 8th, 2007 at 8:43 pm

   @Pluto–yes! Damn the evolutionist locusts to hell! Same goes with bats, the little flying heretics. :lol: That, my friend, was a letter par excellence.

3. 103 Clive Dec 9th, 2007 at 3:56 am

   just sent this (sorry for not biggin up the FSM!):

   “If it ever comes to the board for a vote, I will vote against the teaching of evolution as part of the science curriculum,” Lofton said. “If (evolution) is taught, I would want to balance it with the fact that we may live in a universe created by a supreme being as well.”

   I totally agree! Should we start with Aboriginal Dreamtime, Aztec Coatlique or perhaps the Zulu creator Unkulunkulu? Which? I’m confused. I do quite like the Norse version where Ymir’s underarm sweat begats various beings. Who’d have thought it? Making beings from body parts! Crazy stuff eh?

4. 104 Dungeon Keeper Dec 9th, 2007 at 3:36 pm

   Don’t forget the Haida creation story of Raven finding the first people inside a clam shell. He also brought back the sun when it was stolen at Solstice. So be good to the ravens you see; they created you and gave you the sun.

5. 105 Jean Bart Dec 9th, 2007 at 6:11 pm

   I noticed recently how difficult it is to explain to fellow Europeans at what point this creationism vs. evolution thingy is considered a hot item in the US: very few people in Europe are able to believe this is so big, and most conclude with a “Well, those Americans…” type of answer… Maybe the phenomenon will reach Europe one day… the later the better.
   .
   One of the first actions of the actual Spanish government that got the right wing xians on the streets, was a law that diminished the “weight” of religion class in deliberating the final results of students in highschool. Here, in Belgium, even 50 years ago, in most catholic schools you wouldn’t be stopped for having failed the exam for religion , other assignments (maths, latin) being more important, and having more hours per week. The Spanish case is quite different, because right wing xians still can be quite nostalgic for the days of Franco, who had installed a double political-religious dictature.

6. 106 Mike Meier Dec 9th, 2007 at 8:00 pm

   I didn’t catch the name of the god, but on the “History of Sex” on the History channel last night it mentioned an ancient Egyptian god that created human kind by “pleasuring” himself. Include that in your list. Googling “creating myths” will lead you to some interesting lists/articles, such as http://www.crystalinks.com/creation.html

7. 107 Fusillier Dec 9th, 2007 at 8:42 pm

   Boy, would I like to be a fly on the wall at Polk County each morning when they look in the inbox! Has anyone received a reply? I haven’t, which leads me to believe that they are giving the matter careful consideration :)

8. 108 rmw Dec 9th, 2007 at 10:34 pm

   @Fusillier–someone around here received a reply, but it was the “we’re looking into the matter” type of political ass-covering reply, instead of anything with substance. I do hope that these pro-ID members are taking a hard look at these letters, and realize what a Pandora’s box they are trying to open. I also hope the member who’s sitting on the fence realizes which way the political and legal fortunes lie.

9. 109 Mike Meier Dec 10th, 2007 at 3:26 am

   I finally sent off my 7-page letter to the Polk County School Board. The intro on my email reads:
   .
   “I heard that you are considering including ID in the science curricula in Polk County Schools. I have never spoken out on matters but feel compelled to do so tin this case. Over about a week I put my thoughts and concerns into a letter (attached) that I hope you will read. In brief, it says that will I am in support of people and the religious beliefs that they hold, that religion and evolution are not at odds, the mere idea of teaching is bad on so many levels and will be much worse for religion than for science. Please reconsider and let’s teach science in the science classroom and cultural or traditional beliefs and their derivatives in history, literature, and social studies course, where they would be more appropriate and would be more likely to get a fuller treatment.”
   .
   Thank you all for helpful information and insights.

10. 110 Pluto Dec 10th, 2007 at 2:51 pm

    I have yet to receive a reply. Considering I put 6 or 7 minutes of my life into writing my e-mail I think I at least deserver a reply to say they have seen it.

11. 111 neal Dec 10th, 2007 at 8:01 pm

    I know one thing, the Republicans are putting forward two religious extremists as their front runners–Huckabee and Romney. My hope is that if either is the nominee, he is utterly crushed in the general election. Both of them are pandering to the religioius right full bore. Romney is telling everyone that religion is a pre-requisite for citizenship, and Huckabee is falsely painting such ardently secularist founding fathers as Jefferson (who coined the phrase “Wall of Separation” to describe how the first amendment was intended to affect they way the American republic was to govern) as born again Xtains. It won’t be long if either of them is elected before they have that fifth supreme court justice (Potter Stewart will be lucky to live out the Bush term, let alone another republican’s term) and then it will be Katie Bar the Door. Almost certainly, public schools will become an instrument for fundamentalist indoctrination with the full blessing of Scalia, Thomas, Alito, et al; censorshiop will be in full force (wanna bet Penthouse and all other magazines are ruled obscene), the new court will almost certainly find a “right to life” in the constitution which will not only overturn Roe v. Wade, but take the choice out of the domain of individual states, and establish a nationwide abortion ban, and you can bet Ten commandment monuments the size of monster trucks will spring up in every public building. What else is up their sleve, who can say–Covenant Marriage in every state, privatizing social services to evengelical groups (so the homeless get a sermon with their cup of soup), you name it. America will become the land of Pig Entitlement.

12. 112 KT Dec 10th, 2007 at 9:45 pm

    Thanks, great site, just found it. I’d heard of FSM of course but didn’t know there was a growing group around it.
    I’d been going with more mainstream sites like American United (au.org) or Nat’l Cntr for Science Ed (http://www.natcenscied.org/)

    Here’s what I sent:

    You do your school district no favor in pushing creationism as science or doubting evolution.

    Do you honestly expect these kids to be able to get into college after having gone through a science class based on beliefs (instead of facts)? Even if they do make it past an admissions committee - they would never last in a rigorous academic setting.

    Please consider keeping people’s beliefs in their own homes or for a philosophy class where they belong and reserve science classrooms for factual discussions. You are hurting these children’s chance for a good education.

    However, if you’re going to insist on including every possible “theory” of how the earth came to be and include the concept of “intelligent design” how do you pick? I’d imagine you would have to include every possible creation myth (at least the ones of American origin).
    So let’s see there’s Mormon, Native American (Cherokee, Choctow, Creek, Hopi, Iroquois, Lakota, Navajo, Ojibwa, Seminole), Hawaiian, Alaskan (Tlinglit), Aztec, Raelism, Scientology, the Flying Spaghetti Monster and Wiccan.

    That would actually be an interesting class (for a philosophy or religion class), but again, not in the realm of science.

13. 113 Y'arr Dec 11th, 2007 at 2:27 am

    I cannot help but wondarr, what would tharr convictions be like if they warr required to include Scientology with tharr so-called Intelligent Design, and give it equal press time and opportunity as their silly Christian myth?

14. 114 Si Dec 11th, 2007 at 4:10 pm

    Hi just to let you know I sent the board this:

    Good Morning Ladies and Gentlemen,

    I am contacting you all as I have heard that there is a proposition to teach Intelligent Design along with Evolution in your Public Schools. I support your endeavor to provide the best education possible for young people by looking at all sources of teaching and studying all theories relevant to modern knowledge.

    This is why I must make you aware of Pastafarianism. It is a religion that has a theory of where life originated from that is just as valid as Evolution or Intelligent Design. Many academics have endorsed its teaching please see

    http://www.venganza.org/evidence/endorsements1/

    I feel you would be doing your students, who may themselves be Pastafarians too afraid to speak up, a great disservice if you ignore our equally valid theory. Please visit http://www.venganza.org/ for more information on our faith. Thank you for your time.

    May you be touched by His Noodly Appendage
    Si

15. 115 Erik Hendrickson Dec 11th, 2007 at 10:26 pm

    Im a student in Polk County, and i sent them my opinion along with some key philosophy about the FSM. Ill see if the respond. :)

16. 116 Erik33045 Dec 11th, 2007 at 10:29 pm

    As a student of George Jenkins High School, i have always been different. I do not look upon myself as a Christian, but like to think i am accepting of other people and their beliefs. I know millions of emails have probably been sent concerning this discussion, but as a resident pupil of Polk county i hope you will take the time to read this letter. I am a Pastafarian, and i think that if you will teach intelligent design, you should teach the gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster as well. I feel as though I have always been a minority having my beliefs, and nothing would make me happier than spreading the word of his holiness, the FSM. Below i have a complete letter originally sent to the members of the Kansas school board explaining the manifesto of our beliefs. Below that is more information concerning this widely popular religion, and may help you understand us better. Thank you for your time and understanding patience.

    RAmen,
    Erik K. Hendrickson

    I am writing you with much concern after having read of your hearing to decide whether the alternative theory of Intelligent Design should be taught along with the theory of Evolution. I think we can all agree that it is important for students to hear multiple viewpoints so they can choose for themselves the theory that makes the most sense to them. I am concerned, however, that students will only hear one theory of Intelligent Design.

    Let us remember that there are multiple theories of Intelligent Design. I and many others around the world are of the strong belief that the universe was created by a Flying Spaghetti Monster. It was He who created all that we see and all that we feel. We feel strongly that the overwhelming scientific evidence pointing towards evolutionary processes is nothing but a coincidence, put in place by Him.

    It is for this reason that I’m writing you today, to formally request that this alternative theory be taught in your schools, along with the other two theories. In fact, I will go so far as to say, if you do not agree to do this, we will be forced to proceed with legal action. I’m sure you see where we are coming from. If the Intelligent Design theory is not based on faith, but instead another scientific theory, as is claimed, then you must also allow our theory to be taught, as it is also based on science, not on faith.

    Some find that hard to believe, so it may be helpful to tell you a little more about our beliefs. We have evidence that a Flying Spaghetti Monster created the universe. None of us, of course, were around to see it, but we have written accounts of it. We have several lengthy volumes explaining all details of His power. Also, you may be surprised to hear that there are over 10 million of us, and growing. We tend to be very secretive, as many people claim our beliefs are not substantiated by observable evidence. What these people don’t understand is that He built the world to make us think the earth is older than it really is. For example, a scientist may perform a carbon-dating process on an artifact. He finds that approximately 75% of the Carbon-14 has decayed by electron emission to Nitrogen-14, and infers that this artifact is approximately 10,000 years old, as the half-life of Carbon-14 appears to be 5,730 years. But what our scientist does not realize is that every time he makes a measurement, the Flying Spaghetti Monster is there changing the results with His Noodly Appendage. We have numerous texts that describe in detail how this can be possible and the reasons why He does this. He is of course invisible and can pass through normal matter with ease.

    I’m sure you now realize how important it is that your students are taught this alternate theory. It is absolutely imperative that they realize that observable evidence is at the discretion of a Flying Spaghetti Monster. Furthermore, it is disrespectful to teach our beliefs without wearing His chosen outfit, which of course is full pirate regalia. I cannot stress the importance of this enough, and unfortunately cannot describe in detail why this must be done as I fear this letter is already becoming too long. The concise explanation is that He becomes angry if we don’t.

    You may be interested to know that global warming, earthquakes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters are a direct effect of the shrinking numbers of Pirates since the 1800s. For your interest, I have included a graph of the approximate number of pirates versus the average global temperature over the last 200 years. As you can see, there is a statistically significant inverse relationship between pirates and global temperature.

    In conclusion, thank you for taking the time to hear our views and beliefs. I hope I was able to convey the importance of teaching this theory to your students. We will of course be able to train the teachers in this alternate theory. I am eagerly awaiting your response, and hope dearly that no legal action will need to be taken. I think we can all look forward to the time when these three theories are given equal time in our science classrooms across the country, and eventually the world; One third time for Intelligent Design, one third time for Flying Spaghetti Monsterism, and one third time for logical conjecture based on overwhelming observable evidence.

    Sincerely Yours,

    Bobby Henderson, concerned citizen.

    P.S. I have included an artistic drawing of Him creating a mountain, trees, and a midget. Remember, we are all His creatures.

    We believe it’s important to keep religion out of politics. But when we see public officials abusing their positions, putting their personal religion-based ideas into policy, we fight to get our ideas included as well. It’s only fair.

    For some it’s more than satire, more than activism. Just as many Christians don’t take the bible literally, many Pastafarians don’t believe in the existence of the Flying Spaghetti Monster (but understand: many do).

    People get something out of religion despite their lack of literal belief; peace, a sense of community, a way to understand the world - whatever. With Pastafarianism, literal belief is even less important; belief is not required for our religion, because we have no irrational Dogma that requires faith.

    Whether or not the Flying Spaghetti Monster actually exists is beside the point. It can’t be proved either way, just as Christians can’t prove the existence of their god. And there’s no reason to try. We’re all free to believe what we want.

    Pastafarianism is as valid as any other religion or belief-system, more than most, even.

    We’re made up largely of tolerant, intelligent people. Pastafarians reject dogma, we therefore have no problems with radical fundamentalism.

    We’re the most peaceful religion in the world, our beliefs having caused zero deaths worldwide (to my knowledge). Christianity and Islam have more members, but this will change over time.

    We are a group of people who are conscious about how religious belief causes as many problems as it solves. When we say we “believe”, we mean we “think”.

    So the Cause is this: We are pursuing a religion that makes the world a better place. It means something different to each of us. We don’t need to analyze it.

    We’re raising funds for an ocean-going pirate ship to Spread the Word of Pastafarianim to the world. Every purchase of FSM merchandise contributes to this goal. To date, we’ve raised over $100k. The ship will be open to all Pastafarians. We’ll have a great time.

17. 117 true believer Dec 12th, 2007 at 1:24 am

    After George Bush the fundamental Christians scare the hell out of me. They are idiots. You can not reason with idiots. They are home schooled idiots. I am thinking about writing a letter to the flordia school board but point 1 comes into play, you can not reason with a home schooled idiots. All I can say I pay much more attention to the local school board races these days. It is not only evolution that scares me it is this whole wait to your married sex ed that does get passed in numerous states that caused far more harm to the teenagers than creasionist teaching.

18. 118 lezzard Dec 12th, 2007 at 3:15 am

    I immediately sent an email to all the Polk School Board members the day after The Ledger printed their article. Sorry to say, while His Greatness is known to me, His Noodly Appendage abandoned me as I wrote my email so I neglected to send His Blessings. However, I did get a personal reply from Hazil Sellers and whilst ambiguous, it looks like you may need to change the vote image at the top of this page to 50/50 with one still on the fence. Yeah! Polkonians (??) ain’t so stupid as you think they is…!!!

    Here’s the reply I got from Hazel Sellers:

    From: hazel.sellers@polk-fl.net [mailto:hazel.sellers@polk-fl.net]
    Sent: Wednesday, November 21, 2007 2:56 PM
    To: [me]
    Subject: RE: Intelligent Design in Polk County Schools

    Dear [lezzard],
    I apologize for my not making myself clearer when the Ledger called. Of course I believe in intelligent design but I do not see how it is an either or situation. Science is the investigation, inquiry and experimentation in finding out how and why our world works the way it does. The fact that God created that system is not in conflict with the study to see how it works. The question of Intelligent design does not rival evolution or any other theory. Polk County has always taught the state standards of all subjects and will continue to do so. The question at the end of the day as to who planned how the world works is where intelligent design fits in. It does not hinder our investigative studies of how things came about. I know the Ledger put us on one side or another, although a no vote for me on the standards was not correct. I see no conflict. I hope this clears my stance.
    Hazel Sellers

19. 119 wapow Dec 12th, 2007 at 7:22 am

    here is another local Polk County news article that just came out:

    http://www.baynews9.com/content/36/2007/12/11/309396.html

    the ‘word’ is spreading….

20. 120 C_Felix Dec 12th, 2007 at 7:35 am

    So…what’s the most recent update on Polk County?

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