Standards

This is the fifth battle fought over allowing students to receive scientific facts about the lie of evolutionism. See my testimony for links to the other battles. After this I called CHECKMATE.

11-21-2002 Post on CRSnet (Creation Research Society)

Do you mind if I brag a little--on the Lord? Please do not think I am tooting my own horn. I just have to let you all know how the Lord is working.

I have been extremely busy this fall until 18 November. On that date I had two hernia surgeries and still have a 3rd to have done in two weeks. This is surgery I had delayed for nearly a year.

I decided to call Betty Jarvis (For those reading this who are unfamiliar with the Evolution Resolution, she is the brave BOE member who lost her seat by supporting an attempt to criticize evolution in the public schools.) I had not spoken to her for several months. Almost immediately (I am talking seconds!) after I hung up she got a call from the president of the WV Family Association (Kevin McCoy) who told her about the new WV Science Standards.

I was totally unaware they were up for public comment. Kevin had helped with the Evolution Resolution and Pandas battles so he wanted my input.

Well, things are starting to roll! We have a local cadre getting ready (in less than 24 hours of activity) to proceed as the Lord develops a plan.

There would only be a limited amount of time I could devote to this without being homebound from surgery. The pain has been excruciating, but I can work at the computer (for limited amounts increasing as the incisions heal) and make calls.

I know the Lord knew this event was going to occur around four years ago when I "accidentally" found that misplaced memo to science teachers. It is exciting to realize the Lord knows what is ahead.

Like the ant--I will move and let Him direct my path.

To God be the glory!

1-9-03 Post on CRSnet (Creation Research Society)

The State BOE met today at a regular session. About two hours was taken by a controversial debate (among speakers) over a gay rights agenda being pushed upon the public schools. After a break there were three speakers addressing the Science Standards. All were on our side. One was an ex-high school science teacher, one a parent, and the third a college biology major. Their reports to me were positive.

Now we await the BOE decision and DOE procedures to develop. No one seems to know (or say) what the steps will be. The only sure thing is that the time for public comments ends tomorrow. The State Science Coordinator (a very hostile evolutionist) recently left and has not been replaced. Her responsibilities have fallen upon an unlucky DOE bureaucrat.

One variable is that a very influential member of the Science Education community (a theistic evolutionist) is highly critical of the Standards for pedagogical reasons.

Our prayers now are for the powers that be to delay adopting the Standards and to open the issue for a closer look. We have legal and scientific experts ready to go if an open forum is provided. Also, we have legislation in the pipe line.

Stay tuned.

Charleston Gazette Article:

'Intelligent design' believers, sect seek curriculum change

January 14, 2003
By Tara Tuckwiller
STAFF WRITER

People who believe in "intelligent design" are trying to change the way science is taught in West Virginia's public schools. This time, they have an unlikely ally: the Raelian sect espoused by baby-cloner Brigitte Boisselier. On Friday, the public comment period ended for four statewide education standards. The standards for reading, math and social studies slipped through fairly quietly - but not science. More than 100 people spoke out about the new science standards, the state Department of Education estimates.

The new standards aren't much different from the old ones, but a Kansas-based group called Intelligent Design Network Inc. wants to change that. The group's Web site features a 20-page letter to the West Virginia Department of Education and the state school board. It enumerates ways in which West Virginia's proposed standards for scientific learning - which allude to species adapting to their environment, for example - don't fit with the idea that life on Earth was designed by an intelligent being. It encourages the school board to change the policy in several ways - don't teach about the origin of life before ninth grade, for example, and make sure students understand that evolution is only one explanation.

Jerry Davis of West Virginians for Science Education Excellence submitted the state's science standards to the Intelligent Design Network for inspection. John Calvert, a Nebraska lawyer who is managing director of IDnet, noticed several points in the standards that Davis says "promote indoctrination into a naturalistic view." Davis said, "We do not want them to stop teaching evolution. We do not want creationism taught. We want a completely neutral stance, when it comes to science."

IDnet includes Muslims, Native Americans and others who don't believe in the Bible's version of creation, Davis said. Most of the science policy comments came from people affiliated with Intelligent Design Network, according to the Department of Education. All comments will be transcribed and discussed with a group of teachers and department staff before the policy is presented to the state school board in February. Meanwhile, the Raelian movement - the same sect that claims Clonaid's Boisselier as a bishop - disseminated a press release Nov. 15 stating that it "supports the Intelligent Design Movement and their attempt to promote the teaching of ID theory within science classes." Raelians believe that life on Earth was created by extraterrestrials. "Not God, not evolution, but a third and much more plausible theory," the release states. The Raelians' support wasn't enough to clinch a victory for intelligent design in the Ohio and Louisiana school systems. Last month, both states rejected attempts to change science curricula to reflect anything but evolution.

This was published on the front page of Section C of the Charleston, WV Sunday (1-26-03) Gazette-Mail. It was below a huge pro-abortion article and included a sketch of a hand holding a pencil and drawing what appears to be a man and woman.

PRO & CON SHOULD W.VA. PUBLIC SCHOOLS TEACH 'INTELLIGENT DESIGN?'

The YES section was by Dr. William Harris, a research biochemist, and John Calvert, a lawyer with a degree and experience in geology.

The NO section was by Skip Evans, an official of the National Center for Science Education, based in California)

An excerpt:

Having failed in Ohio, the proponents of ID have trained their sights on West Virginia. Yet the creationist campaign is being orchestrated by a group headquartered not in West Virginia, but in Kansas, a state that became an international laughingstock after removing evolution from its standards in 1999. (Evolution was restored in 2002, to the relief of Kansans concerned with the quality of their children's education.) Local West Virginia creationists are involved too, of course, such as Karl Priest, who famously attends board of education meetings dressed as a gorilla.

Charleston Gazette Article:

Science 'statement' may appease Darwin critics
February 11, 2003 By Eric Eyre

Responding to pressure from evolution critics, West Virginia school officials may add a "qualifying statement" to new statewide science standards.

State educators hope the amendment will satisfy evolution theory critics who want standards that allow students to fully critique Darwin's theory.

The same critics also want West Virginia schools to teach "intelligent design," which holds that the universe is guided by a higher intelligence.

The statement doesn't mention evolution specifically, but says "the development, refinement and critical analysis of scientific theories will provide all learners a better understanding of natural phenomena.

"The state Board of Education will discuss the proposed standards Feb. 19 and vote the following day.

"Personally, I'd like to get more than that," said Jerry Davis, who heads West Virginians for Science Education Excellence, which promotes intelligent design. "We're not grasping for straws or crumbs. This is an intellectual battle, and we intend to win it.

"Critics of intelligent design say the theory is nothing more than a dressed-up version of creation science, which the U.S. Supreme Court has prohibited from public schools as a violation of the separation of church and state.

"This statement doesn't single out evolution," said Eugenie Scott, executive director of the National Center for Science Education in Oakland, Calif., which supports teaching Darwin's theory that life evolved by natural processes. "This seems to be a very straightforward and valuable statement about how science works."

On Thursday, state school board member Barbara Fish arranged a private two-hour meeting at the state Department of Education with John Calvert, managing director of the Intelligent Design Network in Shawnee Hills, Kansas.

Department of Education staff members had previously rejected requests from intelligent design groups for a special meeting.

State school board President Howard Persinger Jr., board member Lloyd Jackson II and biology teachers also attended.

Calvert showed a video and answered questions about intelligent design - the idea that life must have been designed by a non-specified higher power because it is so complex.

"It sounded to me like the guy had some good points," Persinger said, "and with a little wordsmithing we could all walk away happy."

A committee reviewing the science standards drew up the statement after meeting with Calvert.

"They felt like they had in there what he wanted," said Assistant Superintendent Pam Cain.

State schools Superintendent David Stewart said Monday he expects to decide later this week whether to include the statement in the standards.

Last year, intelligent design supporters attacked proposed science standards in Ohio.

A series of heated public debates and hearings followed. Thousands of people attended.

In December, the Ohio Board of Education approved standards that say students will "describe how scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolutionary theory. The intent of this indicator/benchmark does not mandate the teaching or testing of intelligent design."

Groups on both sides of the issue applauded the decision.

Pro-evolution organizations noted that the vote didn't require teachers to teach intelligent design or test students on the theory.

Intelligent design supporters said the addition of the words "intelligent design" to Ohio's science standards legitimized the theory in mainstream society.

Changes don't satisfy evolution critic

Charleston Gazette Article:

February 12, 2003 By Eric Eyre

West Virginia Department of Education officials amended proposed science standards this week to resolve a dispute with a Kansas lawyer who criticized the state's plans for teaching evolution.

On Tuesday, the lawyer called the change "false and deceptive."

"It doesn't address our concerns in any way, shape or form," said John Calvert, managing director of the Intelligence Design network in Shawnee Mission, Kan. "It doesn't do anything to cure the problem. Actually, it makes it worse."

Three state Board of Education members, Department of Education administrators and biology teachers met privately with Calvert for two hours last week.

Calvert lectured about "intelligent design," which holds that the universe is guided by a higher intelligence. Calvert also showed snippets from a video called "Unlocking the Mysteries of Life: The Scientific Case for Intelligent Design."

In response, state school officials added a summary statement at the top of the proposed standards that says, "The development, refinement and critical analysis of scientific theories will provide all learners a better understanding of natural phenomena."

State officials and biology teachers expected the statement to satisfy Calvert and other evolution critics across West Virginia.

They said Calvert called the statement "agreeable" during the closed-door meeting last week.

They noted that Calvert is an out-of-state lawyer, not a scientist.

"He has an agenda he's brought to our state that goes against what the core of science is," said Mark Lynch, a Lewis County High School science teacher who serves on the committee reviewing the standards.

Calvert said state department officials culled the summary statement from similar assertions embedded within the 120-page document that spells out the new standards. He wants the state to make numerous additional changes.

"This leads the reader to believe they're being honest and objective and aboveboard," Calvert said Tuesday after reviewing the statement. "That's not the case."

The state Board of Education plans to debate the new science standards on Feb. 19 and vote the following day.

"We've looked at the standards, we've heard from the intelligent design folks," said state school board President Howard Persinger Jr. "At this juncture, I don't know what our people are going to recommend."

State schools Superintendent David Stewart expects to decide whether to include the statement in the standards later this week.

In January, Calvert sent a 20-page letter to state school board members, requesting widespread changes to the proposed science standards.

For instance, Calvert wanted every reference to "natural and designed world" changed to "natural and human-made world" in the West Virginia standards.

The reason: The statement assumes the natural world wasn't designed.

Calvert and colleague William Harris plan to speak about intelligent design Feb. 19 at the University of Charleston. Intelligent design supporters believe that life must have been designed by a nonspecified higher power because it's so complex.

Calvert said Tuesday his group wants West Virginia teachers to teach evolution objectively.

"The only way for the state to operate in an effective way is to be like an umpire and be neutral," said Calvert, who also has led efforts to change school science standards in Kansas and Ohio. "These standards teach students that living systems are not designed. That's a philosophical and religious conviction, not a scientific one."

Critics of intelligent design say the theory is creation science in disguise. The U.S. Supreme Court has prohibited creationism from science classrooms as a violation of the separation of church and state.

"The ID people are bringing a faith-based interpretation of evolution," said Lynch. "Intelligent design is something you have to believe in. Science is based on observation and testing."

Charleston Gazette Article:

Creationists want science lesson plan changed

February 14, 2003 By Eric Eyre

A month ago, a conservative Christian group persuaded state officials to strike an award-winning civil rights program from West Virginia schools. Now, the American Family Association of West Virginia has a new target: evolution."We ought not be teaching our children that they evolved from slime," said Kevin McCoy, state director of the association.

The group is backing Kansas lawyer John Calvert, who received a private audience last week with the state's top educators in his battle against West Virginia's proposed science standards.

In recent weeks, American Family Association members have fired off dozens of letters and e-mail messages to state school board members and Department of Education officials.They, like Calvert, want the science standards to include theories such as "intelligent design," the idea that a higher power must have designed life because it's so complex.They also want teachers to encourage students to examine evolution theory more critically. McCoy said his members will take their case to state legislators if state Department of Education officials refuse to change the science standards.

Most scientists say intelligent design can't be scientifically tested and shouldn't be taught alongside evolution. On Thursday, a spokesman for a national science organization said conservative Christian groups also have backed Calvert in Georgia, Ohio, Kansas and other states. "The intelligent design folks are happy to have the young-earth creationists," said Eric Meikle, outreach coordinator with the National Center for Science Education in Oakland, Calif., which promotes teaching evolution. "They welcome support from anyone who criticizes evolution.

"Kanawha County's longtime creation science advocate, Karl Priest, also is supporting Calvert - although he wants him to go further. Priest wants evolution abolished from West Virginia schools. "Evolution is a zillion times more impossible than the Blue Fairy, Santa Claus and the Headless Horseman," said Priest, secretary of the Kanawha Creation Science Group. "Evolution exists nowhere. It never has and never will."

This week, Priest distributed e-mail messages about a Feb. 19 intelligent design symposium at the University of Charleston. Calvert will speak at the event.

A week ago, Priest, a math teacher at Andrew Jackson Middle School, asked Kanawha school board members to allow him to use the in-house "pony" school mail system to distribute information about criticisms of evolution. They refused.

Last week, Calvert met privately for two hours with state Board of Education members, biology teachers and Department of Education administrators. To settle the dispute, state school officials added a summary statement to the proposed standards, which says, "The development, refinement and critical analysis of scientific theories will provide all learners a better understanding of natural phenomena."

Calvert criticized the amendment this week, calling it "deceptive."

McCoy's group submitted its own statement to add to the standards. It says, in part, "There is more scientific disagreement about Darwinian evolution than about other scientific theories.... Teachers should also have the academic freedom to teach about, and subject to the same rigorous examination, other origin theories such as the [Intelligent] Design Theory."

Calvert was first invited to West Virginia by an intelligent design organization called West Virginians for Science Education Excellence. The group says the state should provide vouchers for students to attend private schools unless the science standards are changed. "The wording now allows for no criticism at all of Darwinian evolution," said Jerry Davis, who heads the organization. "That's totally ridiculous."

Charleston Gazette Editorial:

Evolve

Schools aren't churches
February 14, 2003

AMERICA'S founders wisely decreed that religion is personal - not an official dogma to be enforced by the government. Thomas Jefferson, George Mason and other visionaries knew that state-imposed religion always causes conflict. So they demanded that the Bill of Rights keep church and state apart, letting each serve its own role. The result has been freedom of religion, a shining hallmark of America.

However, certain U.S. groups never stop trying to use government power to impose their religion on others - especially on children in government-owned public schools.For years, some fundamentalists tried to halt the teaching of evolution in biology classes, demanding instead that children be told that divine creation formed humans and everything else. After the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that teaching "creationism" violates the separation of church and state, opponents of evolution changed labels. Now they use the term "intelligent design."

Today, virtually the entire scientific world is convinced that complex living creatures evolved from simpler ones, over many millions of years. This knowledge has become as secure as facts about planets in the solar system. It's in every secular university, every public library, every center of learning such as the Smithsonian Institution.Yet opponents keep attacking. They realize they no longer can refute evolution completely, so they seek subtle sabotage - or just silence about the topic.

Four years ago, Kansas became an object of international ridicule when fundamentalists pressured the state school board to drop evolution and the Big Bang theory of the origin of the universe. Gov. Bill Graves called the board's action "terrible, tragic, embarrassing." Kansas jokes abounded. Later, Kansas voters ousted the board's evolution foes, and accurate science standards were restored.

Now a leader of the Kansas fiasco is in West Virginia, trying to induce the Mountain State to sabotage evolution. He held a secret, two-hour meeting with some state school board members. They're mulling over a vague, noncommittal statement that might give some teachers an opening to tell children that an Intelligent Designer (God) made all things in six days.

(Perhaps the cover statement isn't needed. One board member privately told reporter Eric Eyre that plenty of West Virginia teachers already espouse divine creation in the classroom, despite the Supreme Court's prohibition.)

The board is to debate this issue Wednesday, then vote on it Thursday. We hope the board simply leaves science alone, instead of saddling it with disguised theology. We agree with Lewis County science teacher Mark Lynch, who serves on a statewide committee that recommends science standards."

The ID people are bringing a faith-based interpretation of evolution," Lynch told Eyre. "Intelligent design is something you have to believe in. Science is based on observation and testing."

Although West Virginia is part of Appalachia's "Bible Belt," we hope the state Board of Education stands firm against the never-ending attempt to turn public schools into churches.

One member calls it 'screwball science,' another finds it 'fascinating'
Thursday February 20, 2003 By Eric Eyre

State school board member Priscilla Haden investigated "intelligent design" this week.Haden spoke on the telephone for an hour with the Intelligent Design network's managing director, John Calvert. She read materials on the organization's Web site. And she watched a video about "ID," the idea that nature is so complex it must have had a master designer.

Her conclusion: "ID is a screwball science," Haden told school board members during a Wednesday meeting. Board member Barbara Fish did much the same research and came away with a different opinion. "I think the whole thing is very fascinating," she said. "It opens the door for a lot of great discussion."

But does it belong in science classrooms?

"It would make a great discussion in a Sunday school class," said Mark Lynch, a science teacher at Lewis County High School.

State school board member were divided Wednesday over proposed science standards. Several members asked questions or yielded their time to Calvert, a lawyer who flew in from Shawnee Mission, Kan., to attend the meeting.

Only Fish and Haden staked out positions. Board members plan to vote on the new standards today.

Calvert and the American Family Association of West Virginia, a conservative Christian group, want the standards to encourage students to examine evolution theory more critically.

"They raise the issue of design in the standards, but they only teach one side of the issue - that life is not designed," Calvert said. "That's a religious conclusion, not a scientific one. And to teach that living systems are not designed is constitutionally problematic.

"Science teachers argued the opposite Wednesday. Teaching intelligent design, they said, is akin to teaching creation science, which the Supreme Court has prohibited from classrooms as a violation of the separation of church and state.

"Any mention of ID in the classroom is going to be a lawsuit from some parent, some place, some time," Haden said. "It certainly has religious terms.

"Meanwhile, Fish encouraged school board members to include a statement about evolution theory similar to one adopted by the Ohio Board of Education last year.That statement, in part, says students will "describe how scientists continue to investigate and critically analyze aspects of evolution theory.

"Science teachers said it's unfair to single out evolution. The West Virginia science standards, they said, encourage students to investigate and critically analyze all scientific theories.

A committee reviewing the standards came up with a different summary statement after meeting with Calvert two weeks ago. That statement doesn't mention evolution, and Calvert has called it "deceptive.

"Higher Education Chancellor J. Michael Mullen urged school board members to leave out the summary statement, saying it "may open a door you may not want to open.

"After the meeting, Calvert dismissed Haden's "screwball science" comment. "You heard from people who don't understand the issue," he said.

Later Wednesday, Calvert and University of Missouri-Kansas City professor William Harris spoke about intelligent design during a symposium at the University of Charleston. About 20 people attended. No school board members were in the audience.

Charleston Gazette Article:

Science, but not by design

February 21, 2003 By Eric Eyre

State Board of Education members on Thursday unanimously backed the teaching of evolution in West Virginia science classrooms.

The state board approved new science standards and tossed out suggested revisions from creation scientists and "intelligent design" supporters.Those groups wanted the standards to encourage teachers and students to examine evolution more critically.

Board members declined to single out any scientific theories in the standards. Science teachers across the state celebrated the vote. "The board studied it hard and honestly and made the right decision," said Mark Lynch, a science teacher at Lewis County High School. "They saw what the intelligent design people were offering, and they saw it was insufficient."

"This just says we're going to teach science as science," said Jody Cunningham, who teaches at Parkersburg High School and also serves as president of the West Virginia Science Teachers Association.

John Calvert, managing director of the Intelligent Design network in Shawnee Mission, Kan., said board members might have voted differently if they had more time to study intelligent design.

The theory holds that nature is so complex it must have had a master designer. "This issue is not going away," Calvert said. "It will not go away as long as we have a free society."

Board members were mostly silent before Thursday's vote. School board President Howard Persinger Jr. read statements from scientists who criticize intelligent design.

Meanwhile, school board member Barbara Fish asked whether the standards would allow teachers to explain evolution theory objectively. Department of Education officials said the standards would.

Young-earth creationists and students marched to the lectern to criticize the science standards during Thursday's meeting in Charleston.

One parent trotted out his son, and the two performed a skit that skewered evolution and the science standards.

Students said the standards were "hostile" to their religious views. They said they oppose science by indoctrination. "They can't prove evolution. They can't prove it," said Jerry E. Davis, a junior at Man High School in Logan County. "If you can't prove it, how can you teach it?"

Other students said teaching evolution leads to numerous social ills such as increased drug use and crime among teens."You are teaching us with this theory that there is not a purpose to life," said Mary Lynn Neese, a student at Nitro High School.

School board members rejected a summary statement that a Department of Education committee added to the standards last week to resolve a dispute with Calvert. The statement didn't single out evolution.

Several retired scientists said Thursday that school leaders gave intelligent design advocates more consideration than they deserved. "They have the same status of people who believe the Earth is flat," said Charles Picay, a retired physicist.

2-20-03 Post on CRSnet (Creation Research Society)

I write this after returning from our last of three back to back battles here in West Virginia. Let me report chronologically.

The first was a work session (yesterday afternoon) of the State BOE attended by John Calvert (IDnet) and Jerry Davis (WVSEE) along with several opponents. I did not attend and we have been (no exaggeration) so busy that I cannot give a detailed report. Some of what happened was in the Gazette article (State school board debates 'intelligent design') and I have heard two comments. One comment before the Gazette article was, "It went well." This morning I heard that John was back stabbed by Ms. Haden. I will let John and Jerry give any details of the meeting they wish to divulge and post them later

Yesterday evening we had the symposium at the University of Charleston. Dr. Bill Harris flew in just in time to get situated before going to UC. We rented a room that seats 300 for $350. We only had $100. Well, Praise the Lord, in walks Dave Snyder (OVSEA) after a drive of (I guess) at least two hours and offers to donate (from OVCEA) toward the rent. We now have almost enough to pay our debt.

Only a few "neutrals" (probably about 6) attended. The rest were leaders of our side and those of the evolutionist side. Dr. Bill Harris and John (who was operating on autopilot after getting up at 4:30 A. M. to catch a plane) did a FANTASTIC job with their presentations. The evolutionists tried to dominate the Q/A. One even took the microphone and started a mini-lecture. Another, after yelling out B--- S--- during one lecture, used a shallow apology to launch into an attack on the speakers. One of the first questions, after Bill's address, was from an active (Ph. D.) chemist who asked, "Could you tell me your evidence for Intelligent Design?" Bill's jaw dropped. Then he replied, "Didn't you see my presentation?" (We have video if it turns out to be clear.)

We left UC slightly after 10:00 P. M.

At 8:00 A. M. we were at the State BOE to address a regular meeting. There is no video, so use your spiritual eyes and you will be blessed. The opposition had a science teacher (unknown to me) and two Ph. D.s and another man who claimed to have a Masters in physics. Here is what the BOE did not hear. All three are vocal atheists. One Ph. D. is the former (very recent) state liaison for the NCSE. He is a retired college professor who now teaches a class on science and religion. Long ago (I have the video) he suffered a sound defeat in a debate with Duane Gish and is still extremely bitter. He says Gish and Henry Morris are dishonest. The other Ph. D.* attends our local creation group and claims Dembski is a quack. The physicist** is the State Director of West Virginia Atheists (Pique--you have seen his letters in the Gazette). I have spoken to all three men extensively and do not exaggerate when I say they shake their fists at God.

Our side had Bill (Harris) who literally grabbed his bag and headed out to catch a flight after he spoke. Also, we had Craig Almquist a, soft spoken and eloquent, local petroleum engineer who is a parent of three school children. Then there was me who tossed and turned all night and only decided to speak after I read the aforementioned Gazette article and editorial (Science-Don't muddle it). But, the blessing follows.

Sue Grace (a local conservative leader) drove about 1.5 hours (after being at UC last night) to speak. She said she was very nervous, but all agreed her presentation was flawless and inspiring. I wish you could have heard it (there is no video). But, it gets better!

We had four surprise speakers who turned out to be our keynote presenters. Let me try to do a little justice in describing them. There was Jerry's son, Jerry II, a 10th grader who had a contact lens problem in the middle of his speech. Keep in mind that we were on five minute time limits. He was able to keep control of his nerves and finish his speech in front of a room full of adults and several media including a TV camera. May God be praised! There was an 8th grader, Courtney, whose friend backed out of speaking at the last minute. Now, if you know anything about teenage girls you know took God's hand in leading Courtney to present by her self. And Courtney's Mom, an honest seeker, is not (yet) convinced evolution is fraudulent. May God be praised!! Mary Lynne, a 9th grader with a 4.5 GPA, gave a truly wonderful talk that deserved a standing ovation. May God be praised!!! Last, oh how I wish you could have seen this, was Justin and his Dad. Justin is a studious 7th grader who resembles Harry Potter (I use that for descriptive purposes, not an endorsement of the books). Justin and his Dad did a skit (written by John Calvert with a last minute adjustment by Justin's Dad due to the lack of a scripted prop) with Justin's Dad acting as a teacher and Justin as a young student. The last lines were Justin's: "Teacher, human made things are designed to serve a purpose. Since I am not designed, does that mean that I don't have a purpose--like I'm just an accident?" Silence. May God be praised!!!

Afterwards the State atheist cornered us in the hall and wanted to argue. His main opponent was Mary Lynne who stood him down. Oh, if you could have seen it!! May God be praised!!!!

Finally we found a vacant room to talk with one another (most had only met that morning) and the Spirit of God was there. There were tears. May God be praised! Oh, Glory! Thank you Jesus.

It looks like we do not have the votes for any kind of obvious victory. As I write (12 noon) the BOE has either voted or will vote after lunch. I will let you know. John, correctly, says our jobs are to be faithful and leave the results in God's hands. If we lose, it will fly in the face of science, America's foundations, and God Almighty. To deny our reasonable requests will be to blatantly say that the State favors naturalism as a State religion. I would dread kneeling before God having fought against the efforts of WVSEE and WVAFA.

Let me thank Kevin McCoy (WVAFA director) who worked tirelessly to help us while trying to salvage a great victory of stopping a pro-gay program form being established under the sponsorship of the State Attorney General. Kevin is suffering from extreme pain due to complications from a former surgery. Thanks go to KCSG members who worked behind the scenes in many mundane tasks to help our efforts. Thanks go to Dan Hoskins (KCSG VP) for bring present last night and this morning and providing a comforting presence and silent prayer. Special thanks go to Jo Bricker, a prayer warrior and solid Creationist, who kept in close touch with us even though she suffers from the effects of a stroke. Thanks to Noel Wise and Mayford Witt for taking a public stand and establishing that their are educated people who support WVSEE. ICR provided tremendous support and we thank them. CRS members deserve many thanks for their help and prayers. Most of all: Bill Harris and John Calvert, who left the comfort of home and came at their own expense to the state some ridicule as full of "hillbillies", THANK YOU. MAY GOD BOUNTIFULLY BLESS YOU. You have blessed us with a feeling I felt three years ago when Dr. Joseph Mastropaolo did the same thing for us in those battles. I will enjoy being in heaven with people like you.

May God be praised!!

2-21-03 Post on CRSnet (Creation Research Society)

While trying to visualize the faces of the many people who helped during the recent intense three month battle two prominent individuals must have been standing in my blind-spot. I apologize to Jerry Davis and Mark Jowett. Neither mentioned that I overlooked them. Both came to mind as I rested and recounted some of the events.

Mark was the only college professor who did anything to help. None would even work behind the scenes. Mark stood up and spoke out publicly. Also, he was willing to do mundane things such as get the coffee for the symposium. When a couple of the Evos became incensed during the symposium Mark was ready, as he said, to become a tackling dummy to spare Bill or John. Mark: you have guts and a love for the Lord that I admire. May God bless you.

I cannot say enough about Jerry Davis. Jerry suffers from problems associated with working in the coal industry. Although a fairly young man, he uses a cane to get around. During the battle his daughter was involved in an automobile accident that totaled the family vehicle. Jerry did so much that it would be an embarrassment to Christians who stood mum if I tried to list his efforts in detail. A man who is not motivated by "atta-boys" Jerry would just as soon give God the glory and praise other people.

I have shared a little about some of the folks that tried to do the right thing for the children of West Virginia. There are things not said that are too personal. My point to readers is that this battle is fought mostly by average men, women, and children with help from professional Creationists. If you are waiting until everything is in place in your life before you take a stand then you will never be an active participant. Jesus has poured his bottle of joy upon me from these clay vessels that I have named in this and the previous email.

If I have still overlooked someone. Please forgive me and someone please let me know.

ADDENDUM

When the final vote was taken Mrs. Fish made it very clear that "teachers can teach evidences against evolution". She was quite emphatic about that. This is in the audio of the Board Meeting session.

Although I was not privy to the communications, it is my understanding that President Howard Persinger deceived John Calvert. If that is true, add another professing Christian compromiser to the list of those who opposed conveying scientific truth about origins to public school students.

See the April 11, 2015 news item to see how the fanatics never quit.

*That Ph. D. chemist admitted that he never used evolution in his career with Union Carbide Chemical C.

**That “physicist” was never able to provide me with any credentials of any type.

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More "battles" can be found in my testimony.

IMPOTANT NOTE: I have demonstrated that teachers in West Virginia can criticize evolution. There is no evidence that any of them have done so. There is no question that children will continue to be indoctrinated with evolutionism. Students face even worse dangers in government schools and parents MUST rescue their children without delay!

Be sure to see “Evolution is a Lie”.

There is a COMMON THREAD connecting evolutionism and the One World Religion.

MY TESTIMONY