The Kansas board of education today redefined science so that it is no longer limited to the search for natural explanations of phenomena. This redefinition was needed to allow for ‘Intelligent Design’ in Science classes.

The new standards say high school students must understand major evolutionary concepts. But they also declare that the basic Darwinian theory that all life had a common origin and that natural chemical processes created the building blocks of life have been challenged in recent years by fossil evidence and molecular biology.

It is a sad day. I think I will dress like a pirate today.
Link (via MSNBC).

Boingboing has a lively discussion about the creationists against evolutionists debat in the USA. I think we here in Europe are not so aware of this whole topic, but it makes for an interesting read. In case you have no clue what I’m talking about:

The creationists say that there are a lot of holes in the evolution theory (missing links if you will). The next step in their argument goes something like this: since not everything has been completely proven for 100%, the theory of evolution must be false. They then go to argue that since the evolution theory is false in their eyes, the theory of intelligent design (god created the world) should have its place next to evolution in science classes. They even achieved this goal in some states in the US.

One of the funnier reactions to this situation is the new church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. This church demands to be the third theory to be taught in science classes.

And since one of the creationists is willing to pay $250.000 for proof of the evolution theory, boingboing and some othere blogs put up the same amount for the following:

We are willing to pay any individual *$250,000 if they can produce empirical evidence which proves that Jesus is not the son of the Flying Spaghetti Monster.

For more information about the Flying Spaghetti Monster, evolution and creation, check out this link. The church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster can be found here.