Pinellas County School Board supports Intelligent Design

Published by Bobby Henderson December 19th, 2007 in Intelligent Design and General FSM news.

A majority of the Pinellas County, Florida, School Board supports the inclusion of Intelligent Design in the science curriculum, reports the St. Petersburg Times.

Four members of the school board, including the chairperson and vice-chairperson, have made statements in support of Intelligent Design.

“The entire theory of evolution is not scientific fact. Intelligent design balances it out.” — Nancy Bostock, Chairperson

“I’d probably ideally like to keep it all [evolution and Intelligent Design] out of the classroom. If it’s going to create this much controversy, how important is it?” — Peggy O’Shea, Vice Chairperson

“I think that students should be given the opportunity to view all theories on how man evolved and let their science background and their religious background take over as to which one they believe in.” — Jane Gallucci, Member

“To teach one [evolution] as if nothing else existed, I think we’re doing our students a disservice.” — Carol Cook, Member

You can read the news article here.

The PCSB website states: “The public is encouraged to contact the School Board members on any issue.”

I suggest we contact the school board and let them know there are more than two theories of our origins. Pastafarianism is built on similar tenets as Intelligent Design, and has much greater support from the academic community. If you decide to write, please be respectful.

Contact Info:

Office: (727) 588-6300
E-mail: Board@pcsb.org

Individual E-mail addresses:
Nancy Bostock: bostockn@pcsb.org
Peggy O’Shea: osheap@pcsb.org
Jane Gallucci: galluccij@pcsb.org
Carol Cook: cookc@pcsb.org

194 Responses to “Pinellas County School Board supports Intelligent Design”

1. 81 - December 22nd, 2007 at - JC Says:
   
   

   JT, your response was the bees knees man…

   I noticed that many many people have spent considerable time responding to these . . . are they really former teachers?

   I for one will take the time reading all of your responses.

   I wrote:

   As a student and teacher, a father and United States Citizen, I think classroom curriculum is the most important issue we face concerning education in our society. I also feel the education of our youth is our nations most important issue, even surpassing insurance issues and social security.

   The question isn’t about teaching Intelligent Design. The question is which class should it be discussed in? It is not Science. Saying that our universe is too complex to have been accidental is an argument, albeit a weak one.

   Teach I D in a theology class, a mythology class, a sociology class, and even a politics class, but leave the science classes to recordable pieces of information that are measurable.
   Finding a bird in Africa and a bird on Madigascar that are almost exactly alike except for a stripe on the wing, points to evolution. These animals are distant relatives but have evolved seperately. THAT is scientific evidence. Fossils are scientific evidence. Fruit fly breeding and records of mutations are scientific evidence. I D theory has none of this.

   “The entire theory of evolution is not scientific fact. Intelligent design balances it out.” — Nancy Bostock, Chairperson

   Nancy, please read the last paragraph again.

   “I’d probably ideally like to keep it all [evolution and Intelligent Design] out of the classroom. If it’s going to create this much controversy, how important is it?” — Peggy O’Shea, Vice Chairperson

   Peggy, how would you have handled the ‘controversy’ of segregation?

   “I think that students should be given the opportunity to view all theories on how man evolved and let their science background and their religious background take over as to which one they believe in.” — Jane Gallucci, Member

   Jane, I think that children should be taught about all religioins and allowed to choose (or not choose ) for themselves which one they think fits best in their lives, but only when they are adults.

   “To teach one [evolution] as if nothing else existed, I think we’re doing our students a disservice.” — Carol Cook, Member

   Carol, my previous comment also applies here.

   J to the C

2. 82 - December 22nd, 2007 at - All free Do Says:
   
   

   WONDERFUL! Soon FSMism will be taught too! We will have our day and this science and Intel Design business will both be driven out.

3. 83 - December 22nd, 2007 at - All Free Do Says:
   
   

   Dear Pinellas County School Board,

   Although I do not live in Florida I would like to congratulate you on the recent decision to include Intelligent Design in the science curriculum. Although I am not a Christian, I am glad to finally see that equally viable explanations to our existence are finally going to be taught to our children. I hope that since you have now broken down the wall to learning more teachings will be made available to students. I think it would be appropriate that at minimum the theory of Intelligent Design by the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM) be included in the curricula. If you look at the evidence that leads Pastafarians to believe that the universe was created by an invisible Flying Spaghetti Monster, I think you will find it at least as compelling in its documentation as that of the Evolution and the Christian theory of Intelligent Design.

   As Jane Gallucci said,

   “I think that students should be given the opportunity to view all theories on how man evolved and let their science background and their religious background take over as to which one they believe in.”

   Please let me know at your soonest convenience when you will consider introducing additional theories to the curricula, I would be happy to send you hard evidence that buttresses the FSM Intelligent Design theory, or travel to give an in-person presentation about it.

   Kind Regards,
   my name

4. 84 - December 22nd, 2007 at - Yun Long Says:
   
   

   Whilst surfing the Wikipedia entries about ID, I noticed that people in Pinellas County have a history of trying to promote ID.

   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Of_Pandas_and_People

   “In March 1990, the school board in Pinellas County, Florida rejected an appeal by a retired minister “to adopt the textbook Of Pandas and People that would offer a creationist’s view”. [23]”

   in the “Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District” case the book “Of Pandas and People” was the book recommended to the students to get the creationist view. It’s published by the texas group Foundation for Truth and Ethics (provided it’s their truth I guess) Perhaps some locals have been trying to change the board for one more amenable to their views since.

   Yun Long

5. 85 - December 22nd, 2007 at - Yun Long Says:
   
   

   Are these guys doing this on their own bat or have they been encouraged?

   Further reading since my last post. It was suggested in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_More_Law_Center#Notable_Cases_Involving_the_Thomas_More_Law_Center” that “theThomas More Law Center travelled the country shopping for a school board willing to withstand a lawsuit as a test case for the teaching of intelligent design in public schools”. Given that someone in Pinellas County previously tried to get ID in the curriculum perhaps the TMC is looking for another go at a constitutional challenge. It cost Dover $1 mill in legal costs which was only half the full bill, hopefully Pinellas County won’t be stuck with a similiar bill.

   Still flying
   Yun Long

6. 86 - December 22nd, 2007 at - JT Eberhard Says:
   
   

   @JC,
   .
   Thank you very much. I’ve had a bit of practice.
   Yours was also spot on.
   .
   JT

7. 87 - December 22nd, 2007 at - Tar Says:
   
   

   @Surcouf
   I was moved by this:
   “The whole civilized world laughing about you isn’t only a pity, it disqualifies America as a leader.”
   I may be a United States Citizen, but I totally agree with you. You’re right, our future doesn’t look bright.

8. 88 - December 22nd, 2007 at - irate Pirate Says:
   
   

   My letter to the fine folks at pinella county……….happy chriFSMas !!

   .
   Esteemed members of the board.
   .
   It has come to my attention that you are seeking to teach i.d.(intelligent design)
   in the classroom, BRAVO i say to you.
   .
   We(Canadians)are overjoyed that someone has at long last realized the importance of teaching our children of the omnipotent & omnipresent force that must surely be responsible for creating all we know & see. That you wish to teach this in a science class, where conjecture, speculation & baseless theories are quickly laid to rest, shows great conviction & clarity of thought.
   .
   Im sure I speak on behalf of Pastafarians around the world when I offer you heartfelt thanks & sincerest congratulations. Just knowing the children(that YOU are CHARGED with EDUCATING) are going recieve equal parts “Flying Spaghetti Monsterism” & equal parts of the so called “evolutionism”… warms the cockles of my heart.
   .
   I am however at this point, compelled to warn you of the arduous gauntlet you are about to run.Recently the Kansas school board sought to bring the glorious truth of the NoodleGod to its fine students. Unfortunately the board folded like a house of cards under the crushing weight of a most effective write-in campaign. This campaign was undoubtedly organized by angry, uneducated, biggoted & overzealous nutjobs!(in other words, EVANGELICAL christians.) Please do not be swayed by the pummelling or humiliation they absorbed.
   .
   Your utmost conviction & steadfastness will be mandatory to overcome the lofty ambitions of the BIG 3(judaism, islam & christianity). Please do not lose sight of the fact that a science class is not the place for blasphemous, heretical half truths. Rather, it is fertile ground for the cultivation of the splediferousness(i think that is a word) that is FSM theory.
   .
   In closing let me add that the FSM movement could use many more clear-thinking, open minded & passionate indivduals, such as yourselves. A hearty “welcome to the CLUB” to you all.
   .
   .
   Salutations & Solidarity.
   Paul M.
   Windsor,Ontario
   Canada…confirmed Pirate.

9. 89 - December 23rd, 2007 at - ☠DutchPastaGuy☠ Says:
   
   

   @Breakinpoint
   “What is it with Floridians now a days. we are causing so much ruckus. (Sex ed and Intelligent design)”
   .
   It’s ingrained in Floridians Breakpoint. ID or sex ed aren’t the first instances where Florida causes trouble. Remember that presidential election?

10. 90 - December 23rd, 2007 at - ☠DutchPastaGuy☠ Says:
    
    

    @Bob
    “Evolution is falsifiable. Intelligent Design is not. So it does not belong in a science class. That is not to say Intelligent Design is not what actually happened.”
    .
    The Intelligent Designer concept is indeed not falsifyable. But in their attempts to give ID some scientific meat on the bones the IDiots have come up with various claims that are falsifyable. Irreducible complexity springs readily to mind. Behe had come up with some examples of systems that were supposedly IR. But parts the bacterial flagellum, the blood clotting cascade and the immune system all turned out to have useful funtions by themselves. So while the central point to ID is not falsifyable other parts of it are and indeed these claims have been falsified.

11. 91 - December 23rd, 2007 at - ☠DutchPastaGuy☠ Says:
    
    

    @Jennyanydots
    I just read your letter. Fantastic!

12. 92 - December 23rd, 2007 at - Ian MacF Says:
    
    

    Dear Dutch,

    It seems that we Floridians, having enough of the “Flori-Duh!” jokes over recent elections are determined to refine the phrase in new terms.

    Florida is not next to the bottom of secondary education rankings in the US for nothing! (And, remember, the US is 25th in rank worldwide for science education!)

    Flori-Duh! Forever.

    Let’s hear it for our school boards!

13. 93 - December 23rd, 2007 at - jack Says:
    
    

    My email :
    Dear Pinellas County School Board,

    I applaud your efforts to open up the curriculum to alternative teachings. While I am not personally Christian, nor do I personally agree with the theory of alternative design, I recognize that it is backed up by equal scientific proof as my own belief. As such, I cannot help but agree with your support of the inclusion of intelligent design in your curriculum - that is, as long as it is coupled by the inclusion of Pastafarianism as an equally viable explanation.

    The exposure of students to alternate theories besides Evolution is a step in the right direction, as long as we make sure that all theories have to be supported by science - after all, it *is* a science class, not a religion class. It is only fair to expose students to alternative theories and let their personal beliefs help them decide which one they should view as accurate.

    Pastafarianism states that the world was created by our deity, the Flying Spaghetti Monster. I recognize that you believe in a different God, but I am confident that my deity is the true one - still, I recognize your right to make your own choices. We believe that the Flying Spaghetti Monster first created the universe as a mountain, trees, and a midget, (spelled as the FSM sees it, “midgit”, most often). He (or she, based upon one’s beliefs) created this in one day, then finished the rest of the universe in three. It took so long because, well, it is a rather large place.

    This explanation is widely endorsed as a viable explanation that goes alongside evolution and intelligent design. Many PHDs have expressed their personal support for this theory - a few can be found on http://www.venganza.org/evidence/endorsements1 and three other pages on the same site.

    I know that your personal choice of intelligent design is backed up by many hard scientific facts, but I feel confident the theory of Pastafarianism will draw the support of at least an equal amount of the student body if taught alongside the other choices. After all, we have numerous well-regarded scientists endorsing our religion and its proposed explanations for natural phenomena. It cannot be denied that we have at an equal level of proof for our claims as your own personal religious choice. There is nothing wrong with your beliefs, nor is there anything wrong with them being taught in the school. To do otherwise would be a form of discrimination - the same can be said of not teaching Pastafarianism in schools as well. I am confident that you will see the sensibility of such an argument and will support our theory’s inclusion as well.

    If you have any questions regarding our beliefs or our scientific basis, feel free to visit www.venganza.org or respond to this email address.

    With Deep Respect,
    x

14. 94 - December 23rd, 2007 at - Rumplestiltskin Says:
    
    

    @DPG
    “So while the central point to ID is not falsifyable” Falsifyable no, Fairytale yes.

15. 95 - December 23rd, 2007 at - ☠DutchPastaGuy☠ Says:
    
    

    @Rumplestiltskin
    “@DPG
    “So while the central point to ID is not falsifyable” Falsifyable no, Fairytale yes.”
    .
    Indeed, I was certainly not implying that the central concept of ID had any credibility just because it’s not falsifyable. For instyanmce, I couldn’t falsify the idea of the ancient Egyptian gods. I couldn’t possibly write down the 100% certain proof that Isis et al are not lurking behind some very distant, as yet undiscovered planet somewhere. But even the IDiots would agree that that doesn’t make the ancient Egyptian gods anything real.

16. 96 - December 23rd, 2007 at - Niteshade Says:
    
    

    What do you expect from a place nick named “God’s Waiting Room”?

17. 97 - December 24th, 2007 at - Rumplestiltskin Says:
    
    

    @DPG
    The ancient Egyptian gods were one of the first pantheons of deities to raise their ugly heads. Surely that must give them some credibility? Everything since is really just plagiarism. I’ve seen Star Gate, there are many logical explanations for the possible existence of such divinity.

18. 98 - December 25th, 2007 at - Elliott A Says:
    
    

    Dear Mrs. (schoolboardmember),
    My name is Elliott Averett. I recently was informed of your support for the teaching of intelligent design in schools. Excellent! At last, valid scientific theory can be brought down to the level of baseless conviction! However, I have one small concern. I myself am a member of the Church of The Flying Spaghetti Monster. Needless to say, I am all for intelligent design in schools, but only as long as out version of creation is taught alongside yours. You can learn more about my faith at www.venganza.org As you may be aware, our faith dictates that Pastafarianism must be taught while wearing full pirate regalia. I am afraid that if you do not meet our demands, legal action may be taken.
    Noodly Holidays,
    Elliott A

19. 99 - December 25th, 2007 at - Repmuht Says:
    
    

    Quite obviously, based upon the quoted remarks, Nancy, Peggy, Jane and Carol are intellectually and spiritually impressive gals.
    So impressive I can’t help but try and picture the four of them in swimwear. Does anyone know if the awesome foursome has ever posed for a magazine, calendar or video or something?

20. 100 - December 25th, 2007 at - ☠DutchPastaGuy☠ Says:
    
    

    @Rumplestiltskin
    “The ancient Egyptian gods were one of the first pantheons of deities to raise their ugly heads. Surely that must give them some credibility? Everything since is really just plagiarism. I’ve seen Star Gate, there are many logical explanations for the possible existence of such divinity.”
    .
    I’ve seen Star Gate too. That ‘divinity’ was indeed distinctly technical in nature. :)

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