New Mexico Doesn’t Want Your Kids to Know How Old the Earth Is

[JA]

New Mexico Doesn’t Want Your Kids to Know How Old the Earth Is

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[Santander]

Why does it matter how old the Earth is?

[JA]

Why does it matter how old the Earth is?

Perhaps because possessing accurate knowledge of the world in which you live is important?

[Virginiá]

Even if this ends up happening, I doubt it will stay that way past 2018. New Mexico seems poised to shift back to Democratic rule once Martinez leaves, and I doubt anti-science standards will stand after that.

[ProudModerate2]

Why does it matter how old the Earth is?

The true age of Earth, and all the very early "things" that took place (even the age when dinosaurs were on this planet) do not fit with the timeline of those who believe in a 100% Creationist theory of how Earth and humans came to be. So a belief in things like "Adam and Eve," etc (the Bible), do not properly compute into what scientist have found and continue to find about the Evolutionary theory of Terra, man and animals.

Basically, New Mexico doesn't want kids to know "too much" about science (the truth), thus allowing a chance for religious (Christianity) beliefs to continue to be "relevant."

[Santander]

Why does it matter how old the Earth is?

The true age of Earth, and all the very early "things" that took place (even the age when dinosaurs were on this planet) do not fit with the timeline of those who believe in a 100% Creationist theory of how Earth and humans came to be. So a belief in things like "Adam and Eve," etc (the Bible), do not properly compute into what scientist have found and continue to find about the Evolutionary theory of Terra, man and animals.

Basically, New Mexico doesn't want kids to know "too much" about science (the truth), thus allowing a chance for religious (Christianity) beliefs to continue to be "relevant."

What does the red mean?

[Badger]

Even if this ends up happening, I doubt it will stay that way past 2018. New Mexico seems poised to shift back to Democratic rule once Martinez leaves, and I doubt anti-science standards will stand after that.

Correct answer.

On the other hand, does anyone know whether this is actually an agency filled by appointments from the governor, or popularly elected?

[ProudModerate2]

Why does it matter how old the Earth is?

The true age of Earth, and all the very early "things" that took place (even the age when dinosaurs were on this planet) do not fit with the timeline of those who believe in a 100% Creationist theory of how Earth and humans came to be. So a belief in things like "Adam and Eve," etc (the Bible), do not properly compute into what scientist have found and continue to find about the Evolutionary theory of Terra, man and animals.

Basically, New Mexico doesn't want kids to know "too much" about science (the truth), thus allowing a chance for religious (Christianity) beliefs to continue to be "relevant."

What does the red mean?

Just to emphasis that it's all about the timeline. The timeline of (some) events that took place via the Bible, versus those of what we know from science, conflict greatly.

[Virginiá]

On the other hand, does anyone know whether this is actually an agency filled by appointments from the governor, or popularly elected?

The Public Education Department is lead by a member of her cabinet, but I didn't search any further once seeing that Martinez vetoed a bill from the legislature that would have forced the NGSS standards, presumably so they could do this. Either way, if Democrats get a trifecta by 2019, the legislature will probably pass that bill again.

[WMS]

Basically, New Mexico doesn't want kids to know "too much" about science (the truth), thus allowing a chance for religious (Christianity) beliefs to continue to be "relevant."

Excuse me?! Don't be tarring the entire state for what a few people in the PED decided on out of nowhere. Hmph.

And hey, NM Dems, still happy you gave in to Bill Richardson and transferred most power over educational matters from the elected State Board of Education to his Public Education Department?

[JA]

Basically, New Mexico doesn't want kids to know "too much" about science (the truth), thus allowing a chance for religious (Christianity) beliefs to continue to be "relevant."

Excuse me?! Don't be tarring the entire state for what a few people in the PED decided on out of nowhere. Hmph.

And hey, NM Dems, still happy you gave in to Bill Richardson and transferred most power over educational matters from the elected State Board of Education to his Public Education Department?

According to the article...

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I'd advise all rational voters in New Mexico express their opposition to this legislation. Who knows what impact it might have on the final decision, but it's at least worth fighting the right-wing and special interests over the education your state's children receive.

[WMS]

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I'd advise all rational voters in New Mexico express their opposition to this legislation. Who knows what impact it might have on the final decision, but it's at least worth fighting the right-wing and special interests over the education your state's children receive.
[/quote]

My, that's not a lot of time for people to make it up to Santa Fe for the one and only hearing. It's almost as if they don't want the public to weigh in on the matter.

I thought NM was done with this two decades or so ago when the elected State Board of Education tried this and those members involved lost reelection - the worst one was a Republican replaced by another Republican, although I vaguely recall it wasn't entirely party-based who was on what side.

I have my suspicions on why this is happening - it's reflective of the severe divide over education between change-nothing-at-all-costs-even-though-the-educational-system-sucks lefty teachers' unions and change-everything-without-asking-anyone-even-though-the-changes-also-suck Martinez administration. So one more spiteful chapter between NM's Capulets and Montagues.

[longtimelurker]

Why does it matter how old the Earth is?

To understand mineral and fossil fuel deposits, earthquake and landslide risks and occurrences, groundwater supplies, and numerous other geologic phenomena, one should have a basic understanding of the structure of the earth.  To do this, one needs to understand that the earth has been around a long time.

The Theory of Uniformitarianism is the unifying theory of geology, just like atomic theory is to chemistry, or relativity is to physics.  It's that basic.

[💥💥 brandon bro (he/him/his)]

Why does it matter how old the Earth is?

To understand mineral and fossil fuel deposits, earthquake and landslide risks and occurrences, groundwater supplies, and numerous other geologic phenomena, one should have a basic understanding of the structure of the earth.  To do this, one needs to understand that the earth has been around a long time.

The Theory of Uniformitarianism is the unifying theory of geology, just like atomic theory is to chemistry, or relativity is to physics.  It's that basic.

I will add on to this and say that a lot of modern biology relies on an understanding of the age of the earth and being able to think in timescales much larger than 4000 years or however old Young Earth creationists think the Earth is.

[pbrower2a]

Why does it matter how old the Earth is?

Objective knowledge is essential for adult competence.

Surely you do not want people questioning the reality of George Washington, do you?

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Why does it matter how old the Earth is?

https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Evidence_against_a_recent_creation#In_summary

[Bismarck]

Gross. Anti-science people are the worst faction in the GOP.

[Indy Texas]

Bewildering that this is happening in New Mexico - not only a Democratic-leaning state, but one whose economy relies significantly on government scientific research and companies like Intel.

[Rookie Yinzer]

The U.S. Republican Party is a stain on humanity.

[Badger]

Gross. Anti-science people are the worst faction in the GOP.

In a faction that has essential veto power on anything in their wheelhouse

[GGover]

Sh*t like this is why reeducation camps are necessary.

[TJ in Oregon]

Sh*t like this is why reeducation camps are necessary.

I somehow doubt rounding up your opponents and putting them in camps is the most effective way of dealing with young earth creationists.

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

Sh*t like this is why reeducation camps are necessary.

I somehow doubt rounding up your opponents and putting them in camps is the most effective way of dealing with young earth creationists.

It is more humane than just shooting them. </bad joke>

[pbrower2a]

Republicans in New Mexico are heavily concentrated in the eastern part of the state, and they are much like Republicans of the Texas Panhandle -- largely white, Anglo, Protestant fundamentalist/evangelical, and reactionary.

[DavidB.]

Only fedora tippers care about this.