Creation
NSTA NUMBED
National Group Dodges Debate
By Karl Priest (date approximately 2004)
The November 2003 edition of The Science Teacher (the journal of the The National Science Teachers Association) was devoted to defending evolution and attacking Intelligent Design. In the NSTA published a position paper with the same theme and stated that "evolution has not been emphasized in science curricula in a manner commensurate to its importance".
Readers of the KCSG newsletter will remember that Mrs. Zella "Jodi" Cunningham, President of West Virginia Science Teachers Association, led a drive in 2003 to block a grassroots effort in West Virginia to counter the heavily slanted toward evolution State Science Standards. KCSG secretary, Karl Priest, challenged her to debate and she declined. Priest even offered her a change to include the atheist "scientists" who supported her efforts to continue brainwashing West Virginia students. Cunningham still dodged the debate challenge. Evidentially the president of the West Virginia Science Teachers Association was not as confident in the truth of evolution as she portrayed to the State Board of Education.
When the national group came out with its strong support for evolutionism it was time to see if Cunningham's national organization was more confident in the truth of evolution than she was. In December Priest, on behalf of Dr. Joseph Mastropaolo*, issued a challenge for the NSTA to contend for the Life Science Prize** to over forty officials of the NSTA.
Dr. Gerald F. Wheeler, NSTA Executive Director, replied with one of the typical means evolutionists use to dodge a debate by saying that the Dr. Mastropaolo should use scientific journals. Dr. Wheeler was informed that that Dr. Mastropaolo has published in peer reviewed scientific journals and concluded that "evolution exists nowhere in the universe, never has and never will. Dr. Wheeler was asked if he was going to contend. Then Dr. Wheeler responded saying that he "contend(s) nothing. But I must admit to being fascinated by your claim that it (evolution) 'never will'."
Therefore Dr. Wheeler admitted that evolution does not exist and never has. He seemed sure that evolution will occur in the future. Next Dr. Wheeler was asked if he will contend limited to the future. Dr. Wheeler now mutated into a mute. He did not respond.
Finally the following letter was sent to Dr. Wheeler:
Since you admittedly contend nothing, you have agreed by default that evolution has never existed. You proclaim your only hope is that it will in the future. To you it is in the nature of science to say that a perpetual motion machine might someday exist in this universe.
If you do not contend for the Life Science Prize, then you agree by default that evolution exists nowhere in the universe, never has, never will, and that you are peddling an ancient vitalism superstition as a state supported religion in violation of the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America.
By default, you have admitted the above and thereby earned for yourself and the NSTA places on the Debate Dodgers List.
Dr. Wheeler is an ex-physicist who admits he "wouldn't recognize a nucleon if (he) tripped over one." Perhaps Dr. Wheeler realizes he has no science to support the NSTA's dogmatic belief in evolutionism. It was suggested that Dr. Wheeler contact other NSTA officials and attempt to assemble a team to defend the honor of the NSTA. He was given a January 10 deadline to accept the challenge. The date passed without Dr. Wheeler and the NSTA evolving the backbone to debate.
NSTA proudly proclaims that evolution is science. The NSTA actively participated in censorship efforts in Kansas and Oklahoma and the NSTA is part of a confederation of groups that support the PBS documentary on evolution which is blatantly titled Evolution: A Journey into Where We're From and Where We're Going. With all that militancy and based upon its journal and position paper the NSTA should be confident in winning the $10,000. The failure of the NSTA to debate is an intellectual disgrace to an organization that claims to represent science teachers nationwide. Perhaps science teachers should ask themselves if their dues are being well spent.
To see a list of all Debate Dodgers on the web so http://www.insectman.us/evolution-is-a-lie/debate-dodger-list.htm.
*Joseph Mastropaolo has a B.S., M.S., Ph.D. in kinesiology and a Post-Doctoral Research Fellowship in human physiology. As Aerospace Physiologist for Douglas Space Systems, he published two monographs on life in space, one for humans and one for experimental animals. He taught biomechanics and physiology at California State University, Long Beach for 26 years and was the physiologist for the Gossamer Condor and Albatross human powered flight projects which earned a medal in physiology from the Royal Aeronautical Society for the Kremer cross channel challenge. He presently teaches comparative physiology for the Institute for Creation Research.
**The Challenge to the National Science Teachers Association Board of Directors, Division Directors, Council Members, and Affiliates:
The NSTA has taken an unequivocal and confident position that evolution is actually science.(1)
The NSTA claims to be in favor of (2):
1. "learning for all"
2. "respect, and opportunity for all"
3. "interest in science education throughout society"
4. "innovation in science teaching and learning"
5. (being) "a dynamic organization that values and practices self renewal"
Also, the NSTA claims to "address the hottest topics in science education"(3).
Therefore, on behalf of Dr. Joseph Mastropaolo, I challenge the NSTA to back up and live up to its claims and positions. The NSTA is hereby respectfully challenged to contend for the Life Science Prize.
The text of the challenge follows.
All officials and members of the NSTA are eligible. Any number may participate and collaborate. Dr. Mastropaolo will stand alone to argue the side of the devolutionist.
The NSTA evolutionists put $10,000 in escrow with the judge. They may combine their resources to raise the money. The challenging devolutionist puts $10,000 in escrow with the judge. If the evolutionist proves evolution is science, then the evolutionist is awarded the $20,000. If the devolutionist proves that evolution is not science, then the devolutionist is awarded the $20,000.
Evidence must be objective, valid, reliable and calibrated. The preponderance of evidence prevails.
At the end of the debate, the judge hands the winner both checks.
The judge is a superior court judge. The venue is a court house.
That concludes the official Life Science Prize challenge text.
If there is overwhelming evidence to support evolution then NSTA evolutionists should have no fear of losing $10,000. NSTA has around 55,000 members who could afford about 18 cents ($0.18) each to provide the $10,000 for the NSTA side. Then the only risk to the NSTA is that of being exposed as indoctrinating students, teachers, and the public with non-science nonsense.
If the task is still too threatening Dr. Mastropaolo will entertain suggestions for terms that will bolster the courage of Darwinian dogmatists of the NSTA.
We sincerely await your acceptance of the challenge. Our $10,000 is ready to be handed to the judge.
(1)
The Science Teacher: Nov-03
This issue's focus: Exploring Evolution
and
National Science Teachers Association Reaffirms Position on Teaching of Evolution
Nov 6 2003
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), the largest science teacher organization in the world, has published an updated position paper to reaffirm its standpoint on the teaching of evolution. The statement upholds and reinforces the position of Association that NSTA "strongly supports the position that evolution is a major unifying concept in science and should be included in the K-12 science education frameworks and curricula."
(2)
Mission statement
The mission of the National Science Teachers Association is to promote excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all.
NSTA's Guiding Principles
>Model excellence
>Embrace and model diversity through equity, respect, and opportunity for all
>Provide and expand professional development to support standards-based science education
>Serve as the voice for excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning, curriculum and instruction, and assessment
>Promote interest and support for science education, collaboratively and proactively throughout society
>Exemplify a dynamic organization that values and practices self-renewal
The National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), founded in 1944 and headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, is the largest organization in the world committed to promoting excellence and innovation in science teaching and learning for all. NSTA's current membership of more than 55,000 includes science teachers, science supervisors, administrators, scientists, business and industry representatives, and others involved in and committed to science education.
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