Utah anti-evolution bill filed

Utah State Senator Chris Buttars has filed his "evolution is just a
theory" bill. It is SB 96. It is silent on ID, but is borderline
"teach the controversy." The Utah legislative session starts on
Monday, January 16.

Find the bill online at:
http://se10.utahsenate.org/perl/bb/bbmain.pl

Here is the text:
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SB 96: PUBLIC EDUCATION - INSTRUCTION AND POLICY RELATING TO THE
ORIGINS OF LIFE

Section 1. Section 53A-13-101.7 is enacted to read:
53A-13-101.7. Curriculum and policy on theories relating to the origins
of life.
(1) In order to encourage students to critically analyze theories
regarding the origins of life or the origins or present state of the
human race, consider opposing viewpoints, and form their own opinions,
the Legislature desires to avoid the perception that all scientists
agree on any one theory, or that the state endorses one theory over
another.
(2) The State Board of Education shall establish curriculum
requirements, consistent with Subsection (1), relating to instruction
of students on theories regarding the origins of life or the origins or
present state of the human race.
(3) The curriculum requirements described in Subsection (2) shall
require that instruction to students on any theory regarding the
origins of life, or the origins or present state of the human race,
shall stress that not all scientists agree on which theory is correct.
(4) The State Board of Education shall:
(a) make rules, pursuant to Title 63, Chapter 46a, Utah Administrative
Rulemaking Act, to fulfill the requirements of this section; and
(b) ensure that all policies and positions of the State Board of
Education relating to theories regarding the origins of life or the
origins or present state of the human race:
(i) do not endorse a particular theory; and
(ii) stress that not all scientists agree on which theory is correct.
==========

All science is tentative. Any good science education education would
teach that not all scientists agree, but when you have 99.9% in in one
camp, they are probably on to something. That 0.1% doesn't need this
much attention. Strangely, I don't think he would encourage open
debate in classrooms about the difference of scientific opinions about
the etiology of homosexuality.

Chris Rohrer

.