Evolution in Kansas: The Monkeys are Winning
by With the notable 150th anniversary of Darwin’s theory of Evolution in his book, The Origin of Species, I thought a small voice from Kansas ought to be heard.
Okay, I am going to preface this article by saying that I live in Kansas. Much of my family lives in Kansas, is buried in Kansas and will add to the anthropological, archeological and fossil record in Kansas. You may have also noticed over the years that “Kansas” has a reputation for not believing in the theory of Evolution. Yes, I called it a theory, not a fact, not because I personally don’t believe in evolution, but because it is just that-a theory. As a matter of fact, it is a “theory” that I am typing at my computer, thinking up the words to put into sentences that others will read and readily using my opposable thumbs.
But it is a theory that is recognized by many of those carbon based, bi-pedal life forms descended from ape like creatures (probably) that inhabit this globe. A few years ago, the Kansas Board of Education decided that the whole thing was bunk, and not in accordance to the views that many people held in the state. Actually, that last bit is true. Most people in Kansas had no problem with the teaching of intelligent design in public schools, despite the argument that the state should not sponsor religious beliefs. The school district I teach in happily disregarded the whole change and voted to include science in science classes. About a year after enacting the silly policy it was over turned. Change of heart? Intellectual epiphany? Nope. The Kansas University at Lawrence decided not to admit students who had not had the study of evolution in their science curriculum. While the people of Kansas love their theories, they love the sport of basketball more, and the thought of not having their children at KU…well, that put and end to that. Also, being the butt of jokes on the tonight show with Jay Leno didn’t help. Apparently impassioned beliefs can be changed.
I still hear about this from my non-Kansas friends. Everyone knew when the policy was enacted, all over the world, but now that it’s gone and Kathy Sebelius is Governor, we are still the state that hates science. However, we are also a state who refused air quality permits to new coal fired power plants, who have some of the best organic farms anywhere, who is making wind power a priority, and whose public schools have come a long way baby. The monkeys are winning.
See more on Charles Darwin:
Other Articles by me:
The Lost Art of Story Telling Rekindling the Love for Make Believe in Our Children.
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Post CommentDaisy Peasblossom
On February 15, 2009 at 2:47 am
I love it! My daughter-in-law is from Kansas, and her mother taught in the Kansas school system. I know exactly what you mean when you say “its come a long way”.
Aldrin A Wilding West
On February 15, 2009 at 4:34 am
Enjoyed this. As someone from good Old Blighty, it’s good hear something about a specific area of the US from someone who lives/or lived there. As you know, all Americans are annoying, chew chewing gum and talk too much, and all British live in London, make calls from red telephone boxes, go to work on red double-decker buses and sport a black pin-stripe suit and bowler hat, with an umbrella neatly tucked under their arm saying, “I say old chap” rather a lot.
teachersmith
On February 15, 2009 at 10:17 am
interesting article. thank goodness someone saw sense and now kansas’ children are being taught science and not just stories. your readers and the good people of kansas may wish to look a little closer at the theory of evolution as it has a lot more scientific evidence to support it than 6 day creationism has. i dont understand this idea that a theory must be immediately disregarded. inelligent design is pseudo-science that offers nothing to the debate beyind attacking evolutionists and actual science. i find it strange that kansas allowed id but not evolution to be taught. thank goodness for sport i guess or the kansas kids would still be living in the dark ages.
here is an interesting article on the design of the human eye you may want to look at:
http://www.scienceray.com/Philosophy-of-Science/Did-God-Design-the-Human-Eye.513201
write some more annie!
Tusaani
On February 15, 2009 at 10:24 am
Enjoyed this article. Great to see the improvement.
skylite
On February 15, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Great article …. very nice read
Joni Keith
On February 15, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Go Kansas!
denus
On February 16, 2009 at 3:38 am
interesting read, nice!
Doog
On February 16, 2009 at 3:32 pm
I absolutely LOVE and adore your skill at sarcasm. (: I strive to have that.
SJ Dickens
On February 19, 2009 at 9:03 pm
I dont see any problem, teching Science and also Religion in the school. In the first place, persons themselves as they grow more mature, develop a sense of freedom as to what to believe. Its nice that Such change has been introduced.
Shalom.
Bullwinkle Muse
On March 20, 2009 at 1:24 am
I’m feelin’ monkey-love. ;^)
nice work