Ben Stein: When All Else Fails, Start an Online Petition...

Juustin

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Juustin
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So Ben Stein has finally dropped to the low, low level of using an internet petition to try to get ID legally allowed in public science class.

Every time he opens his mouth, I get even more excited about watching Expelled, although probably not for the reasons he's hoping. I expect it may be in the running for Best Unintentional Comedy at next years VMAs.

Anyway, the petition is here:
http://www.academicfreedompetition.com/index.php

I signed it for the heck of it. Well, not exactly me, but my friend Ima Creationist did, and her name will be forwarded to my local representative.
 
“We, the undersigned American citizens, urge the adoption of policies by our nation's academic institutions to ensure teacher and student academic freedom to discuss the scientific strengths and weaknesses of Darwinian evolution. Teachers should be protected from being fired, harassed, intimidated, or discriminated against for objectively presenting the scientific strengths and weaknesses of Darwinian theory. Students should be protected from being harassed, intimidated, or discriminated against for expressing their views about the scientific strengths and weaknesses of Darwinian theory in an appropriate manner.”
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The funny part is I agree completely with this statement. The really funny part is that it doesn't protect promoting ID in the least. It does say, "scientific strengths and weaknesses" after all.
 
Yeah, they're tricky that way. The Creationists at the top are too clever by half. They're like performers who really know their audience and are experienced with hecklers.

Of course, it should be able to go without saying that "academic freedom" in science would precisely mean not having ID railroaded through, but it doesn't always.
 
Unfortunately, the local officials who will be given this petition, might be fooled by it, as well. Given its wording, I would be tempted to sign it, myself. But, I am bright enough to know how those words will be mangled and misinterpreted.

I think we ought to consider forming an alternative petition, ourselves:

"We, the undersigned American citizens, urge the adoption of policies by our nation's academic institutions to ensure teacher and student academic freedom to discuss the scientific strengths and weaknesses of Darwinian evolution. And, to make sure those arguments remain grounded in science. Science teachers will be fired, if they fail to objectively present the scientific strengths and weaknesses of Darwinian theory, by offering religious or other subjective opinions in place of science. Students should be protected from being harassed, intimidated, or discriminated against for expressing their views about the scientific strengths and weaknesses of Darwinian theory in an appropriate manner. And, 'appropriate' does not include religious proselytizing on public school property."
 
Juustin said:
So Ben Stein has finally dropped to the low, low level of using an internet petition to try to get ID legally allowed in public science class.

Every time he opens his mouth, I get even more excited about watching Expelled, although probably not for the reasons he's hoping. I expect it may be in the running for Best Unintentional Comedy at next years VMAs.

Anyway, the petition is here:
http://www.academicfreedompetition.com/index.php

I signed it for the heck of it. Well, not exactly me, but my friend Ima Creationist did, and her name will be forwarded to my local representative.
Click to expand...

How about her friend, Joran Idiot?
 
The problem isn't that Intelligent Design isn't given the same scrutiny and held to the same standards as other scientific hypotheses. The problem is that it is.
 
Rather than a petition, I would like to see Ben Stein propose a curriculum syllabus detailing what would be taught about ID in a grade school science or high school biology class. Would it discuss the scientific weaknesses, such as the proven errors about irreducible complexity? Would it discuss the controversy and arguments regarding why it is not considered science?
 
Could someone sit Ben Stein down and explain to him that, unlike politics, the "winner" in science isn't determined by popular vote?
 
So Ben Stein "appears" to be intelligent, but doesn't understand explanations. He has a fantastic memory. Isn't there a term for that?

"Rain Man?"

Anyone know if he is really religious or just seeking the attention?
 
I used to think that Ben Stein was a reasonably smart fellow.

Now I look at him and think he has simply lost his mind in a whirlwind of woo. Very very sad :(

When did he become such a loon? Or was he a loon all along and we never knew?

Finding out about Stein's involvement with the ID-creationism movement hit me the same as finding out that... shudder... Will Smith is embracing $cientology.

I'm going to go have a drink now...
 
Olowkow said:
Anyone know if he is really religious or just seeking the attention?
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He's always professed to be religious, but I never heard him push it so I never cared that he was, until he showed his true colours with Expelled. Who would have pegged him for a fundie?
 
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