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Funny choice of words...."believe" in science is used several  
time.....does that mean I should take it on faith :).

I would suggest one of the problems is with zealots on both sides of  
the issue.  Rather than convincing someone from the opposing team they  
are wrong and I am right, how about starting from a position of mutual  
respect?  In other words, might we be better  served in any  
confrontation by starting with a discussion of the difference in  
perspective rather than jumping right into the meat of the matter.   
Changes to one's fundamental beliefs, except in extreme circumstances  
(think 9/11, for example) are rare.  Think back to your reaction when,  
as a kid, someone might have challenged you, but you remained  
absolutely, positively convinced you were right.  Were you more likely  
to engage in a conversation if the challenge was direct, as in 'Your  
are wrong,' or 'Thats an interesting idea.  Have you thought  
about.....?"  I am not suggesting it is necessary to put on kid gloves  
(sorry sheep), but rather to be aware of where the conversation  
begins.  Each domain of human knowledge and interest has its own  
expert culture.  Religion and science are no exceptions.  Starting  
from a position of mutual respect is more likely to neutralize the  
charged emotions that often come with such discussions.

Just another 2 cents.....

Jeff C.

On Feb 11, 2011, at 11:09 AM, Martin Weiss wrote:

> ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology  
> Centers
> Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related  
> institutions.
> *****************************************************************************
>
> Bill Nye on teaching Evolution, from the National Center for Science
> Education
>
> BILL NYE ON TEACHING EVOLUTION
>
> Prompted by Michael B. Berkman and Eric Plutzer's recent column in
> Science deploring "a pervasive reluctance of teachers to forthrightly
> explain evolutionary biology," Popular Mechanics asked Bill Nye for
> his reaction. "It's horrible," Nye replied.
>
> He explained, "Science is the key to our future, and if you don't
> believe in science, then you're holding everybody back. And it's fine
> if you as an adult want to run around pretending or claiming that you
> don't believe in evolution, but if we educate a generation of people
> who don't believe in science, that's a recipe for disaster. ... The
> main idea in all of biology is evolution. To not teach it to our young
> people is wrong."
>
> Nye was particularly concerned with the characterization of evolution
> as "just a theory," arguing, "People make flu vaccinations that stop
> people from getting sick. Farmers raise crops with science; they
> hybridize them and make them better with every generation. That's all
> evolution. Evolution is a theory, and it's a theory that you can test.
> We've tested evolution in many ways. You can't present good evidence
> that says evolution is not a fact. "
>
> A Supporter of NCSE, Bill Nye "The Science Guy" was the host of the
> popular science education television programs Bill Nye the Science Guy
> -- which won eighteen Emmys -- and The Eyes of Nye; he is currently
> the executive director of the Planetary Society, the world's large
> space interest organization.
>
> For the Popular Mechanics interview of Nye, visit:
> http://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/evolution-classroom-bill-nye-science-education
>
> For NCSE's coverage of the Berkman and Plutzer column, visit:
> http://ncse.com/news/2011/01/too-many-teachers-ignore-evolution-006454
>
>


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