'I don't think evolution should be associated with our school.'

Moronic controversy in Missouri. This is from Pharyngula:

http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/scienceblogs/pharyngula/~3/rK_oSkoUWts/missouris_shame.php

This is the t-shirt worn by the marching band of Smith-Cotton high school of Sedalia, Missouri.



The 'ascent of man' image is a bit irritating — it is a portrayal of a fallacious idea of directionality in evolution — but the designers had a reasonable goal in mind.

Assistant Band Director Brian Kloppenburg said the shirts were designed by him, Band Director Jordan Summers and Main Street Logo. Kloppenburg said the shirts were intended to portray how brass instruments have evolved in music from the 1960s to modern day. Summers said they chose the evolution of man because it was "recognizable." The playlist of songs the band is slated to perform revolve around the theme "Brass Evolutions."

All right, I'll let 'em pass…but wait! There's a problem? Parents freaked out over the shirts? Could it be because they're even fussier about scientific accuracy than I am?

No, I don't think so. You can guess what people complained about.

Band parent Sherry Melby, who is a teacher in the district, stands behind Pollitt's decision. Melby said she associated the image on the T-shirt with Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

"I was disappointed with the image on the shirt." Melby said. "I don't think evolution should be associated with our school."

"I don't think evolution should be associated with our school." That says it all right there — they don't want science to be a part of their children's education. Well, either that or it's a statement about the Ms Melby's current state: perhaps her knuckles drag on the floor, and she's teaching courses in flint-knapping and gnawing hides.

It's a shame, but there will always be a few ignorant cretins yowling about demanding respect for their religious ignorance in every school district. Responsible, intelligent school administrators will put the students' needs at the highest priority, and recognize that they don't need to kow-tow to every crank opinion. They should support science, and know that they do want evolution associated with their school.

Ooops. The assistant superintendent of the schools has yanked the t-shirts and demanded that all of the students turn them in…for a really stupid reason.

"I made the decision to have the band members turn the shirts in after several concerned parents brought the shirts to my attention," Pollitt said.

Pollitt said the district is required by law to remain neutral where religion is concerned.

"If the shirts had said 'Brass Resurrections' and had a picture of Jesus on the cross, we would have done the same thing," he said.

...

Funny... I doubt that.

we are doomed.

To which the obvious reply is, "No worries, it isn't."

Love the shirt! Of course there will be parents that don't like the shirt. Several years ago when our son was in Marching Band, the kids in the band would shout out for the "Jesus song" during part of the game. Seems our son, who had very long hair and scraggly beard plus he always wore sandals played the trombone had a trombone solo. It was hilarious to hear the kids shout out for the solo, the band would respond and son would play loudly....It was a hoot, and of course there were other parents in the crowd who took offense. They complained some....the Band Director had the kids stop yelling for the "Jesus song", but the Drum major used a small, white board to write on and hold up to the band which fight song to play next...always seemed to write Play Jesus Song and the kids would. That was fun. As dedicated Band Parents we were there for all the games, home and away, helped set up drum line on the field, sold food and, hauled equipment in our truck etc...Son is now in college at a Music Conservatory studying trombone...Oh yeah, we're not church goers, but do believe in a higher power, faith etc...My father was Professor of Biology and a devout Methodist, who loved teaching evolution.

The Charlie Darwin Band is right out.

Man, if I had known you could piss people off with the right shirt in Marching Band, I would have spent a lot of free time thinking how. Instead, when I was a freshman, the name of my high school band was changed to the Round Ball Blues Band, after a couple of upperclassmen watched, "The Blues Brothers," over and over again. However, everyone did vote for my motto suggestion - "Music Without Mercy."

TlalocW

Nothing to talk about here, geez... slow day in moranville.

color me confused...
:shrug:

It's not faith.