Science in the Cross-Hairs
As the United States continues its plunge into ignorance and hate, we often hear people ask, “How much worse can it get?” Though that’s normally posed as a rhetorical question, our country keeps coming up with some really excellent answers, as shown here.
You and I can simply shake our heads and try to laugh this off, but the children of Florida will suffer as a result.
We need to respect the religious convictions of others, but not to the point that they result in harm to others.
Craig,
But will the children of Florida suffer any deprivation ?
Andy Tuck, is neither a “creationist” nor advocates not teaching evolutionary science.
He expressed a personal conviction, which he recognizes as not being included in a secular school system.
Any Tuck served for many years on the Highlands County School Board and as vice-chairman of the Florida board of education. During that time he strongly supported public education and especially the needs of small and rural school districts, often overlooked in a system where major urban districts generate the most attention.
Not once has he acted or allowed his personal beliefs to interfere with his duties to public education. But surely he is allowed to express his personal faith?
His critic argue, “A surefire way to tell if someone is a liar and/or ignorant about science is if they say a scientific theory is “only a theory,” like it’s a guess or a hypothesis and not an indisputable fact”.
Democratic society often requires small diplomatic compromises to avoid hatred and resentment. People are “lying” when expressing their religious beliefs. They also pay the taxes for the school system and are entitled to expect their children will not be mocked, bullied or persecuted for their religious beliefs.
So, is if utilizing the term “theory” to keep the peace so terrible? After all, a fact remains a fact regardless of “belief”.
Andy Tuck isn’t suggesting holding another “Scopes trial”, or introducing teaching creationism, he’s simply seeking a more inclusive learning environment.
There’s a danger in turning a distorted interpretation of “science” into a sort of new and very intolerant religion.
In recent times, a movement has arisen to merge religion, political ideology and ‘science’ into a new dogma. This movement has appointed, ‘high priests’,acolytes, advocates, crusading evangelists and grand inquisitors !
These fanatics are just as intolerant and filled with missionary zeal to vilify and persecute all those who oppose or even mildly dissent from the orthodoxy of the chosen beliefs.
A true pursuit of scientific knowledge doesn’t require “evangelists”, it requires a tolerant open mind and curious endeavor. After all, what is true remains true, regardless of belief.
I’m not sure how you can possibly blame Andy Tuck with the hatred and social problem in the US! has been a Central Florida citrus grower for more than 22 years.
Andy Tuck has been a successful Central Florida citrus farmer all his life. His company, Natural AG Solutions is an agricultural nutritional company that focuses on enhancing plant health through nutritional Natural AG Solutions is a very early and prominent “equal opportunity” employer of minorities.
Andy Tuck has been a champion of Equal rights and opportunity.
Tuck has been tireless in promoting education for the disadvantaged.
An excellent administrator he’s served his community as chairman of the Highlands County School Board and the Highlands County 4H Foundation. In addition, he served as vice-chairman of the Florida School Boards Association Small District Council.
Tuck also serves on the South Florida State College Foundation, the Central Florida Regional Planning Council, the Highlands County Citrus Growers Association, the Highlands County Farm Bureau Board of Directors, and the Florida School Boards Association Board of Directors. He distinguished himself as a reforming member on the Florida Transportation Commission.
Blaming Any Tuck for the ills of American society makes as much scene as blaming the study of mathematics as being the cause of the murderous hatred perpetrated by math prodigy Ted Kaczynski tyhe notorious “unabomber” .
Kaczynski was a Harvard Math and science graduate, who became the youngest assistant professor of mathematics in the history of University of California, Berkeley.
Do you ever consider your readiness to condemn others on the flimsiest of press reports, or because they dissent from your particular agenda, be it political or ideological, might play a small part in an increase of intolerance and hatred?
I also don’t agree with Andy Tuck’s beliefs on evolution, but I recognize his right to his beliefs, and try to see the whole man, not simply judge him a one-dimensional stereotype.
I believe when you place yourself in a position of self-righteous superiority, using abusive terminology and refusing to acknowledge your own errors and weaknesses, you have lost your true self.
You can’t preach “tolerance” without practicing tolerance. You can’t lessen the level of hatred and fear, while contributing to the problem.
Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Only in the darkness can you see the stars.
Let no man pull you so low as to hate him.” “Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”