Creationism may be removed from science curriculum in Texas

The Texas State Board of Education may decide to remove certain passages that relate to creationism from its science curriculum standards. The board members are scheduled to vote on the curriculum changes early next year.

According to Americans United, the Texas Education Agency already removed several passages promoting creationism in the state science standards last September. The final decision now lies with the Texas State Board of Education.

One of the passages removed by the agency was the requirement for students to evaluate scientific evidence for "sudden appearance" which argues that the sudden change in the fossil record is incompatible with the long periods of change required in evolution.

The agency also decided to remove the passage which requires students to "evaluate scientific explanations concerning the complexity of the cell."

Hugh Ross, an astrophysicist and founder of the creationist organization Reasons to Believe, said that the board would be "throwing out the baby with the bathwater" when they remove the creationist passages from the curriculum. He contends that students must be presented with all sides of the argument.

"[Evidence] can have sides. The book of nature and book of Scripture significantly overlap and therefore we can use science to put to the test what the Bible says," Ross told The Christian Post.

He noted that one common critique against creationist models in the Texas standards is that they are not testable or falsifiable. He argued that the models can be testable if details were examined more thoroughly.

Ross believes that creationism will gain more traction if its proponents are able to "attach" dates to their models.

"I think one reason why it's not getting the attention it deserves is that proponents are unwilling to attach dates. If they were willing to attach dates, they would have a much stronger scientific case for their position and they would remove the appearance of deception," he stated.

Ross added that scientists are inclined to think that they are being deceived when creationists dodge questions about "the designer" or the age of the universe.