Creationist: Give Creationist Kids Evolution!
Creationist activist Dr. Don McLeroy said it: Give creationist kids evolution.
Why?
Because the evidence for evolution is so weak, creationist kids will be all the more convinced of the Bible’s truths.
McLeroy’s plea for evolution-heavy textbooks has left us controversy-watchers scratching our heads. Did he really say that?
McLeroy leapt to national prominence a few years back in his role as chairman of the Texas State Board of Education. As documented in the indispensable film The Revisionaries, McLeroy used his influence to promote a profoundly conservative vision of proper educational content for Texas schoolchildren.
As that film demonstrated, Dr. McLeroy had a knack for confounding the easy stereotypes of “right-wing” educational politicians. For outsiders like me, it was odd to hear such a friendly, avuncular fellow insist that Texas schoolbooks needed more creationism and less “hip-hop.”
Earlier this week, Dr. McLeroy returned to testify in front of…
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Posted on September 20, 2013, in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink. 5 Comments.
Leaving Fundamentalism 
Jonny, What’s your take on this story? Do you trust McLeroy’s motives? Or do you detect a more sinister creationist scheme? BTW, if you haven’t yet watched The Revisionaries, I recommend it. For folks trying to understand American educational conservatism, it’s indispensable.
I’m glad you mentioned The Revisionaries. A while ago the British Library showed a film about creationism. I couldn’t make it to the screening, and I’ve been trying to remember the title ever since. I’m pretty sure this was it.
I can’t think of a better explanation for McLeroy’s words than that he believes them. The only ulterior motive I can think of is that he really supports evolution, and that makes no sense at all. Do you have an idea what an ulterior motive might be?
Funnily enough, it was a confidence similar to this that helped me to leave that type of religion. I eventually concluded “Well, if it’s true, it will stand up to scrutiny”. After that, I allowed myself to read things that I previously wouldn’t, for fear that they would lead me astray.
I don’t think this is the case with Dr. McLeroy, but I could imagine a strategic decision by creationists to promote evolution-heavy textbooks, hoping to provoke a backlash that would redound to their credit. That’s what has happened in the past, after all. It was in part a backlash against federally funded textbooks in the USA (especially the 1960s BSCS series) that led to our modern creationist movement. It’s impossible to know, of course, what people are really thinking, but I could see how some creationists might approach these Texas textbooks hearings with that sort of long-term strategy in mind. Let me repeat: I don’t think this is McLeroy’s position, but I could see how some people might think that…
Your mind is more devious than mine, Adam!
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