The Associated Press is reporting that Kansas is “Headed for Another Debate Over Evolution“:
… a State Board of Education member [said] Wednesday that science standards under development are “very problematic” for describing the theory as a well-established, core scientific concept.
…
[Republican Ken] Willard said the draft [of proposed science standards] embraces naturalism and secular humanism, which precludes God or another supreme being in considering how the universe works. He said he intends to raise the issue Tuesday.
“That’s going to be very problematic,” Willard told The Associated Press in an interview. “They are preferring one religious position over another.”

Obviously, Willard doesn’t know how science works. He doesn’t understand that science deals with theories that can be tested and refuted. And if god works the way I imagine he believes, then putting god under a microscope makes no sense. Science deals with facts, not mythology. (Though I appreciate him unintentionally admitting that evidence and reason — the basis of the scientific method — are antithetical to his religious beliefs.)
But that’s just one board member. Not a problem, right? Except five of the ten Kansas Board of Education seats will be up for election this November… and Creationists are probably plotting out how they could take all of them.
Not that they’re going to listen, but if Creationists reclaim a majority of the board and they pass incorrect/god-driven science standards, then the lawsuits will begin. Not only will Kansas lose in the court system, their students will become less scientifically literate, making them unprepared for college-level science courses.
Somehow, Kansas has people on the State Board of Education whose religious views prevent them from making the decisions that are in the students’ best interests. This is not a conversation we should be having in the 21st century.
Let’s see some Christians take the lead for once in denouncing Willard and anyone else who may agree with him.
By the way, more information on the new science standards can be found here.