Image via WikipediaI sent the letter below - actually, I sent it via e-mail - to the state representative for my district. Since my representative is not on the Education Committee, I also sent a modified version to the chair and co-chair of the committee. Instead of asking them to vote against it, I tailored the letter a bit to inform them of the inaccuracy of the language in the bill. If you have not yet written to your representative in the state legislature, maybe this letter will give you some ideas.Dear Representative Fillingane:
I am writing to urge you to oppose House Bill 25, introduced by Representative Chism and referred to the Education Committee. HB 25 requires that all textbooks containing material on evolution used in Mississippi schools include a disclaimer describing evolution as “a controversial theory” and “the unproven belief that random, undirected forces produced living things.”
As a scientist, I must point out that evolution is not at all controversial within the scientific community. Rather, it is accepted as the foundation of the modern biological sciences. This is why 17 organizations, Including the National Academy of Sciences and National Science Teachers Association, recently called on the scientific community to become more involved in promoting evolution as an essential part of sound science education. See http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080102083754.htm
Moreover, the description of evolution contained in this bill is simply inaccurate. Natural selection, the process driving evolutionary development, is anything but random. HB 25 asks that science textbooks used in our schools present erroneous information to students.
Our children deserve a quality education based on the best available scientific data rather than manufactured controversy and superstition. We face dire economic times, and we must prepare our students to compete in an increasingly complex world. See http://www.ascribe.org//cgi-bin/behold.pl?ascribeid=20070215.134058&time=1445PST&year=2007&public=1
In case it is helpful, here is some good information on evolution and the many misconceptions about it from reputable sources:
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn13620?DCMP=NLC
http://evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibrary/misconceptions_faq
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=15-answers-to-creationist
Sincerely,
[Signature]
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