Quickies
Skepchick Quickies 3.3
- 2011 census organizers brace themselves for millions pretending to be Christians – NewsThump is like The Onion, just so you take this story in the right light. From w_nightshade.
- “You don’t need God” billboards coming to Indianapolis – While the article is tame, check out the comments. From Ben.
- How can we get teachers to be more comfortable teaching evolution? – “A recent article in the journal Science revealed that up to 60 percent of teachers are “cautious” when it comes to teaching one of the most well-established and widely accepted theories in all of science: evolution. They skip lessons on evolution, downplay its importance, and avoid the subject, to the detriment of their students’ educations and the scientific literacy of this country.”
- Gay students at a Christian university tell their stories -You can read their full zine online and be sure to have some tissues nearby. These students’ stories of struggling with their religion’s (and school’s) condemnation of their sexuality are incredibly moving. UPDATE: The University has blocked students from accessing the site.
Teachers might be more comfortable teaching evolution if their jobs weren’t constantly put on the line by radical fundies. How can we protect them?
About the 2011 Census story on NewsThump:
For SkepChick’s non-UK readers, West Bromwich Albion is a very old professional soccer team in central England. Formerly a top-flight club; declined in the 1990s; somewhat resurgent now.
@QuestionAuthority: Teachers might be more comfortable teaching evolution if their jobs weren’t constantly put on the line by radical fundies. How can we protect them?
Good point and good question. The only way I can think of is to get onto school boards and push back. My favorite biology teacher got fired over a evolution/creation flap. (In his case, however, he wasn’t entirely without blame.)
@QA
Very good question, epeciallt since the same people who want to shitcan evolution are also hellbent on destoying the teachers unions.
@mrmisconception
epecially
Geez, I need to get a better editor.
@NoAstronomer: What if you put down “for Arsenal” but only on days when your anglophile friend invites you over for beer and snacks to watch them brutally lose the Carling Cup to Birmingham?
The gay students have a very tough reality to face. Their religion of love hates them. But the good news is there are secular colleges and even open-minded Christian denominations that want them and accept them and will welcome them with open arms. Move along my friends. It’s their loss.
I attended a “Christian” college in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Two great guys I knew who lived on the same dorm floor my freshman year were somewhat open about being gay and I recall thinking they were either brave or foolish. They never talked about how they felt in this atmosphere where homosexuality was clearly identified as a bad evil thing. One of the guys committed suicide his senior year and the other guy dropped out and committed suicide a couple of years later. Being GLBT and growing up in a conservative Christian community or attending a fundy college must truly be a nightmare.