Advocacy for Teaching Cosmic, Geological and
Biological Evolution
and Opposition to Forced Teaching of
Creationist Beliefs
in Public School Science Education
WHEREAS, it is a responsibility
of the Ohio Academy of Science to preserve the integrity of science; and
WHEREAS, science is a systematic method of continuing investigation, based on
observation, hypothesis testing, measurement, experimentation, and theory
building, which leads to more adequate explanations of natural phenomena,
explanations that are open to further testing, revision, and falsification, and
while not “believed in” through faith may be accepted or rejected on the basis
of evidence; and
WHEREAS, the theory of evolution, as presently defined, fully satisfies these
criteria, especially when its teaching considers the remaining debates
concerning its detailed mechanisms; and
WHEREAS, the Academy respects the right of people to hold diverse beliefs
about creation that do not come within the definitions of science; and
WHEREAS, some Creationist groups are intent on imposing religious beliefs
disguised as science upon teachers and students to the detriment and distortion
of public education in the United States;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that because “Creation Science” and
“Intelligent Design” have no scientific validity, they should not be taught as
science, and further that the OAS views legislation requiring such religious
views to be taught in public schools, as though these were legitimate arguments
against evolution that should be included as part of a so-called balanced
treatment approach, to be a real and present threat to the integrity of
education and the teaching of science; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OAS urges
citizens, educational authorities, and legislators to oppose the compulsory
inclusion in the curricula, the state competencies or proficiency tests for
science education of religious beliefs
that are not amenable to the process of scrutiny, testing, and revision that is
indispensable to science.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the OAS urges
citizens, educational authorities, and legislators to include, explicitly, cosmic,
geological and biological evolution in the curricula, state
competencies and proficiency tests for science education.
-----------------------------
Revised and Approved February 28, 2000 by the Executive Committee of The
Ohio Academy of Science; based on a similar resolution adopted by the Academy
on April 23, 1982.
C:\My
Documents\Word\Goverance\EVOLRESOLUTIONFinalApprovedFeb282000.doc