The Tampa Tribune reports the Polk County School Board was caught by surprise by the widespread response to their interest in Intelligent Design. They have decided not to pursue the teaching of Intelligent Design.
I suppose it’s a victory for science, but I was optimistic about Polk County being the first to introduce Pastafarian theories into the curriculum.
The article by Billy Townsend is titled “Polk Needled, Noodled in Evolution Flap“.
Public floggings hurt, even when administered by satirical sacred noodles.
Ask the Polk County School Board. The panel made news last month when five of its seven members declared a personal belief in the concept of intelligent design, the religiously based explanation of the development of life believed in by many Christians.
Four of those five sympathetic board members said they would like to see intelligent design taught in Polk schools as an alternative to Darwinian evolution, at a time when new state standards mentioning evolution by name for the first time are under consideration.
Just like that, it appeared the Darwin wars had found their newest battlefield.
Yet a few weeks later, the controversy is dying with a whimper. There’s no board support for a challenge to the proposed standards. Some of the five school board members blame the local newspaper for trying to start a fight.
“It’s not our agenda,” said Tim Harris, one of the board members. “My personal opinion and how I vote don’t always jibe.”
What happened? You can start with the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.
The satirical religious Web site asserts that an omnipotent, airborne clump of spaghetti intelligently designed all life with the deft touch of its “noodly appendage.” Adherents call themselves Pastafarians. They deluged Polk school board members with e-mail demanding equal time for Flying Spaghetti Monsterism’s version of intelligent design.
“They’ve made us the laughingstock of the world,” said Margaret Lofton, a school board member who supports intelligent design.
It’s an excellent article. I’m even quoted a couple times. I admit it sounds like I’m against the inclusion of supernatural theories in science, which would include Pastafarian beliefs as well as Intelligent Design, but I assure you my statements are part of a larger strategy of some sort, in the best interest of Pastafarianism.
Here’s the article, enjoy!
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Yay!
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@rmw
“I like the idea of an organized email campaign. I think Bobby does a pretty good job at it right now. However, there are organizations, like the Christian Coalition and Focus on the Wallet (Family), not to mention members of the US congress that could use email bombardment by us Pastafarians. Definitely something to think about.”
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In that case, drop me an email sometime at t.p.c.klaver@qub.ac.uk.
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How cool. A clean win, you know this tactic should be applied to all agencies of the govenment that attempt to advance a fundamentalist agenda. I have heard that the National Park service is advancing the idea in its guided tours of the Grand Canyon, that that wonder of nature was not created by the slow work of geological forces (tectonic plate movement and erosion) over tens of millions of years, but rather was created rather recently by the “Great Flood”, and, yes, they do mean Noah’s flood.
No doubt this is the work of some Bush apointee, but its’s it just as likely that that structure was created by the action of Noodly Appendages?
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YES!! I can post comments again!
Hey everyone, and hope you had a cool chrifsmas!
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@thalassophopic pie rat, I agree with your idea that in order to encourage growth we need to give positive affirmation after good decisions have been made, although in this case I think it was to save their own asses from not being re-elected. I still think a positive note to the board would show the kind of class I am used to seeing from people on this site.
@DPG, I also like the idea of organization, I think it could maximize the benefits of our efforts.
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I’m loving this! Keep the E-mails going to Pinnellas county! I know we got the “Florida” Tag and all, but there are some people who still have a brain here!
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Bobby,
we DO want intelligent design in schools; that of the FSM.
If that means it’s next to the ‘original’ *cough* christian *cough* ID; then that’s ok.
Think about it.
If kids have to decide wether they want some warmonging fool or a happy FSM (kids love spagetti with meat balls); who do you think they’ll chose? And kids are always telling you the truth. Another proof that the FSM is true and kicking.
I’m partly disappointed by this board.
Theo
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Got up this morning and tuned to CNN. The news from Pakistan is not good. Benezar Bhutto assinated-presumably by Islamic fundamentalists. The secondary story was how Hindu fundamentalists went on a killing spree in India, burning several churches in the process.
I am beginning to think that fundamentalist–Christian, Jewish, Hindu and Islamic are at the root of all of the most intractable problems of our world.
Of course everyone in Western cultures recognizes the problems violent Islamic fundamentalists are creating for all of us, but few recognize how Christian fundamentalists are a major problem as well.
I remember when 911 happened Jerry Falwell proclaimed the reason as being God’s punishment for our society tolerating homosexuals. What he proposed as an alternative homosexual policy for a western government conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal–only he knew. He never specified it. Sometimes these guys just like to stir the pot with their base–the base can then fantasize their own policy and imagine Jerry and the Lord are behind them one hundred percent. In short they keep their proposals vague when they articulate their hate speech because if they say something concrete-like concentration camps and arm tattoos for gays the reality of what they propose will repulse all but the very most extreme among them.
But the fact is the Xtain right wing is more responsible for 911 and the mess in Iraq and the middle east than any other segment of the world’s population. It is they who elected George Bush who ignored the warning signs that an attack was coming. Any other competent President would have acted on the inteligence-as Clinton did during the proposed New Years Eve attach on Lax–and prevented it through increased security. Moreover, nobody but Bush would have invaded Iraw as a follow up on 911. I can’t conceive of any other president who would have let Bin Laden slip through the trap of Tora Bora. In short, by putting their boy in, the fundies weakened us, allowing the middle east to spin out of control and become the mess it is today.
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When I read that FSM has made the Polk county board of education the “laughingstock of the world” I know the system is working. Right on. What better weapon than satire to turn on these people. It is hilarious when they act like wounded water buffalo in the process. What else do they have a right to expect when they try to cram their shit down everyone’s throat. At least Polk county was able to avoid defending a costly lawsuit because these idiots backed off. Now all we need is their resignations.
In a democracy with free speech, this is the way things are supposed to work. Social pressures are what is supposed to reign in the excesses of the kook fringes. In recent years we have dignified these far right characters. New organizations have taken people like Pat Robertson seriously when he suggests as a matter of policy, the US government assassinate Hugo Chavez or Jedrry Falwell says that the TEle-tubbies preach tolerance for the “homosexual agenda”. The larger question is why what they say is newsworthy. Why carry the shit these cranks espouse at all. By doing so, news organizations give these outre players a seat at the table, when they should be banished to the back porch.
A lot of this is the result of having such a right wing administation in the White House, of course. When you have a POTUS who says it’s only fair to teach all theories of human origin, including ID, you lower the bar on what passes for serious discourse at the national level.
Hopefully, the pendulum is going to start to swing the other way. If someone like a Huckabee is nominated and is CRUSHED that would help. In many ways this next presidential election could be about how the nation will be defined for the next 50 years. Let’s hope the right person wins, and wins big.
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Neal would you please refrain from using the words “elected” and “Bush” in the same sentence, unless you’re referring to the Sr. Bush. It only brings back painful memeories of watching our nation’s freedom circling the toilet bowl.
Aside from that, Great post.
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@Neal – I agree with you that Xtian Fundamentalism is as dangerous as any other type of fundamentalism. Great post.
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I’m very ashamed to say that I live in Polk County, FL and have experienced their terrible science curriculum first-hand. Adding ID to the mix would just be moronic.
Just wanted to pop in and thank all FSM supporters that stopped all this ID crap from happening. I wasn’t aware that this was going on until today, but I’m glad you guys prevented it from happening.
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@Captain Noodle. Usually when I talk about Bush and election there is a parenthetical remake to the effect of (if you can call it that). Sorry for the omission.
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I live in Tampa and I wanted to thank you all for stopping this BS called ID. Religion has no place in science class. As someone who was brainwashed to believe the bible to be literally true, I applaud your god, the spagetti monster.
Please remember, when you pray to jesus , you aree only talking to yourself.
Have a great day,
Santa
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this santa baby is a lot of garbage… lets just remember that the earth was created by him and we form him and what a joke the humanity is…. god is a spirit
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I think was a victory as well, but not in the same way as everyone else. This is a victory FOR Polk County Kids and a MAJOR VICTORY for the school board. They’ve prooven (at least to me) that they are not completely retarded. I know that is not nice to say.
Let me rephrase in PC-speak:
I think some members of the school board have pulled their heads out of their medieval asses.
Still too harsh? How about this?
The Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster has enlightened the school board.
HOOORAAAHMEN!!
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yay!
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Alleluia! to the FSM. Keep up the good work brethren.
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Just saw a piece by Christain Amanpour called “God’s Warriors”. In it she interviewed Falwelll in the last week of his life (he didn’t know it then, but he would be found dead at his desk in a few days). He was fat as a pig, and he railed against the usual targets. Funny how he neglected to mention gluttony as a sin. (It’s one of the seven capital sins, as those of us who come form a religious background know)
Anyway, in this the last week of his life, he explained to Chritianne how he fantasized Chelsea Clinton would come to interview him and ask him the three things he feared most in the future.
His answer: “Osama, Obama, and yo mamma.” Imagine that. Here he was nearly dead of gluttony induced heart failure and all he could fantasize about was disrespectding the daughter of an ex-president, by dissing her mother. Then these people talk about how they are hated by the secular establishment–as if it is without cause when they take gratituitous shots at people who aren’t even asking them their opinion. Naturally he took no ownership for the mess in Iraq, the damage Bush/Cheney have done to the US constitution, the illegal surveillence of American they conduct, the $3.00 a gallon gasoline they ushered in, the bogus threat inflation on Iran, the numerous scandals of Bush, et al.
After all, what could be worse than Chelsea’s momma. Nothing. Unless it’s Chelsea’s momma straightening out Bush’s mess and setting the country on the right course. The success of Hillary or any reasonably moderate scandal-free democrat would drive a stake through the heart of the right wing like nothing else and Falwell knew it.
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I have just found out about this via Panda’s Thumb. I have to congratulate all your members on keeping such a vigilant eye on the insidious infiltration of ID into American science classrooms.
I am Australian and a grandmother who sees this poverty-ridden cousin of creationism starting to pop its head up in Australia. I doubt that it will get a foothold, but the fact that it is even mentioned in highly secular Australia is enough to concern me.
You have my support in all your endeavours. Well done.
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@Veronique Jan 3rd, 2008 at 11:24 pm
“but the fact that it is even mentioned in highly secular Australia is enough to concern me.”
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My thoughts and feelings exactly! (from a fellow Aussie)
RAmen
Pandas Thumb…that reminds me…
@BC Dec 19th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
“Unfortunately, the debate is not only at the county level, as another part of the same article in St. Pete Times reports,
At least one member of the state Board of Education has objected to the proposed standards. Donna Callaway told a religious newspaper in Jacksonville that evolution “should not be taught to the exclusion of other theories of the origins of life.”
Additionally, Selena “Charlie” Carraway, program manager for the state Department of Education’s Office of Instructional Materials, has urged fellow Christians to fight the inclusion of evolution in the science curriculum.
As a science teacher, we appreciate the recognition that the CFSM has brought, and encourage your members to post at the education blog, “The Gradebook”. At least one board member is reading the blog, as she responded to a post. Thanks!”
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http://blogs.tampabay.com/schools/2007/12/boe-member-i-wa.html
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@BC Dec 19th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
I actually wrote this response to your post and posted it on about 28/29th DEC….I think I had too many links in it and it didn’t go. I decided not to repost it till now because I thought all the Pirates had well and truely earned a relaxing Holiday break from the school board/BoE creationist sales BS!
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Well….anyway….the BoE science standards come up for the vote in Feb. (I think?)
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My original post to BC
@BC
Yep!
As the school board members allude to this in the OP article….
“The pro-intelligent design board members say they now recognize that the new standards are a state issue and there’s nothing they can do about them, even if they’d like to.”
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Coincidence that I’d previously missed, and just came across your post today. The Pandas Thumb, an impressive anti-creation/ID site had recently posted, (27th Dec.) reference and links of the CoFSM Polk County effort. :))
Among the comments following that post on PT were a couple of particular interest re the Florida BoE proposed science standards:
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The second one (from the same poster) contains a link to a legal letter sent to the BoE from a Forida attorney, who specialises in religious liberty and constitutional law, requesting changes in the wording of the BoE’s proposed new science education standards.
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http://pandasthumb.org/archives/2007/12/noodled-evoluti.html#comment-138651
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Those members of the Florida Board of Education pushing to have ID included in the new State Science Standards also (probably more so) seriously need to be made aware of ALL of the alternative theories.
RAmen
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@Veronique Jan 3rd, 2008 at 11:24 pm
“but the fact that it is even mentioned in highly secular Australia is enough to concern me.”
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My thoughts and feelings exactly! (from a fellow Aussie :)
RAmen
Pandas Thumb…that reminds me…
@BC Dec 19th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
“Unfortunately, the debate is not only at the county level, as another part of the same article in St. Pete Times reports,
At least one member of the state Board of Education has objected to the proposed standards. Donna Callaway told a religious newspaper in Jacksonville that evolution “should not be taught to the exclusion of other theories of the origins of life.”
Additionally, Selena “Charlie” Carraway, program manager for the state Department of Education’s Office of Instructional Materials, has urged fellow Christians to fight the inclusion of evolution in the science curriculum.
As a science teacher, we appreciate the recognition that the CFSM has brought, and encourage your members to post at the education blog, “The Gradebook”. At least one board member is reading the blog, as she responded to a post. Thanks!”
.
http://blogs.tampabay.com/schools/2007/12/boe-member-i-wa.html
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@BC Dec 19th, 2007 at 7:29 pm
I actually wrote this response to your post and posted it on about 28/29th DEC….I think I had too many links in it and it didn’t go. I decided not to repost it till now because I thought all the Pirates had well and truly earned a relaxing Holiday break from the school board/BoE creationist sales BS!
.
Well….anyway….the BoE science standards come up for the vote in Feb. (I think?)
.
My original post to BC
@BC
Yep!
As the school board members allude to this in the OP article….
“The pro-intelligent design board members say they now recognize that the new standards are a state issue and there’s nothing they can do about them, even if they’d like to.”
.
Coincidence that I’d previously missed, and just came across your post today. The Pandas Thumb, an impressive anti-creation/ID site had recently posted, (27th Dec.) reference and links of the CoFSM Polk County effort. :))
Among the comments following that post on PT were a couple of particular interest re the Florida BoE proposed science standards:
.
The second one (from the same poster) contains a link to a legal letter sent to the BoE from a Forida attorney, who specialises in religious liberty and constitutional law, requesting changes in the wording of the BoE’s proposed new science education standards.
.
http://pandasthumb.org/archives/2007/12/noodled-evoluti.html#comment-138651
.
.
Those members of the Florida Board of Education pushing to have ID included in the new State Science Standards also (probably more so) seriously need to be made aware of ALL of the alternative theories.
RAmen
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Eeeek…now there’s two of them….!!!
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You know, I was reading the comments on the article, and it’s just depressing. Argumentatum ad nauseam, ad nauseam. “Evolution is just a theory”, “There is no proof for Evolution”, “Here’s a creationist website, go there to see all the long-discredited protests against Evolution being rephrased in the faint hope that this time someone will be convinced”.
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The one that really took the biscuit is some nameless fool who disproved the Theory of Evolution by arguing that if it was proven, it would no longer be a theory. Losers the lot of them!
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When are these dolts going to learn that “theory” as in “theory of evolution, or relativity, or quantum mechanics or …, does not mean “blind guess based on no thought whatever’, and has no relationship to the word “theory” used by the guy sitting on his porch drinking cheap beer and saying “I got a theory about that.”
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@devout heathen: “The one that really took the biscuit is some nameless fool who disproved the Theory of Evolution by arguing that if it was proven, it would no longer be a theory. Losers the lot of them!”
Good, that makes it the evolution fact.
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“They’ve made us the laughingstock of the world,”, No you do that all on your own, we just point it out to everyone else! It’s sad to think that Christians are so blind they can’t see the resemblance between themselves and Pastafarians…Open you mind, people!! It’s what Jesus really wants…
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“They’ve made us the laughingstock of the world,”, no actually its a weird little guy that lives close to me hi bangs hes head against cruttons till the FSM comes… youtube it under lukazaz or ronda 1… its a 3 part video of a cell phone gathering…
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@All
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This is a shame that an evolutionary cosmological revelation is taught as science and there is no other counter thought. The future generations are doomed to mediocrity.
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Nice article. It must have been fun to live in that town while that was all happening. The best part, by far, is how they backed down knowing how it could all affect the economic prospects related to brining a campus and hopefully high-tech companies to the area.
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I also read a number of the comments. It’s so sad how many people still use the “just a theory” argument, among others.
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MrMiami Mar 6th, 2008 at 6:42 am
“doomed to mediocrity”
As we are reading your posts Miami!
Begone troll! Begone!
*holds up garlic bread*
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I believe that the Flying Spaghetti Monster Church has as much validity as that of the Christian Church. It has beliefs that cannot be disproved or approved of for that matter. And I thought Aussies were the only ones with such common sense. There are others out there! Hurrah
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Who cares?
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Chef-Boy-R-Dee would be proud…
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