The longer I serve in the senate the more aware I am that before we can change people’s minds we must first change their hearts. This profound truth was exposed in the education committee last week when the Scientific Education and Academic Freedom Act was voted down.

I sponsored SB 320 to combat the secular humanistic indoctrination that is taking place in government schools around the country including Oklahoma schools. Science classes have been teaching a lop-sided agenda for decades on controversial issues such as global warming, the “theory” of evolution, and embryonic stem-cell research.

Science class is the perfect arena to discuss theories, hypotheses and facts when trying to discover the truth. This bill was written to encourage open discussion on controversial issues without facing possible retribution by the administration to the teachers or from the teachers to the students. Who could possibly be against discussing all sides of the subject matter when searching for the truth? The answer is the teachers union and academia in general.

The union’s protest of allowing open discussion in the classroom was disguised as trying to protect the students from being taught heresy. The only heresy being taught was that of the protesters. The teachers union as well as Superintendent Sandy Garrett were against the legislation. Ms. Garrett opined that the bill was not needed because they only teach “facts” in science class. I reminded her that Darwin’s origin of species is still a “theory” of evolution not a fact of evolution.

SB 320 drew even more criticism and was undermined by the spreading of utter propaganda. Two University of Oklahoma (OU) professors were trying to persuade state legislators to oppose the bill. Since this legislation is tailored for junior high and high school classes, one wonders why university professors were trying to kill the bill. OU faculty members Victor Hutchison and Richard Broughton were advocating restricting what students and teachers can discuss in the classroom.

The professors apparently oppose discussing the “strengths and weaknesses” of scientific theories. If they had their way, teachers would be told that “there really are no scientific ‘weaknesses’” and that if they discuss scientific problems with theories presented in the textbooks, then, they are bringing religion into the classroom. These false fears will only serve to intimidate teachers and shut down academic freedoms. SB 320 intends “to help students understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the strengths and weaknesses of existing scientific theories pertinent to the course being taught.”

One does not need a Ph.D. in science to know that not all statements in science are equal. Theories about global climate change,and the origins of life still remain as theoretical explanations that are beyond verification. The fact that these subjects are highly politically and emotionally charged makes it difficult for textbooks, teachers and students to deal with them. This bill encourages “educational authorities in the state to assist teachers to find more effective ways to present controversial science curriculum.”

Regardless of the professor’s claim, this legislation will not allow religion to be taught in the science classroom. The bill states that “This act only protects the teaching of scientific information, and this act shall not be construed to promote any religious doctrine.”

Many teachers I have contacted welcome the support such a bill would provide to them. Citizens are encouraged to review SB 320 at www.randybrogdon.com and Brogdon@oksenate.gov so they can make their own judgments about its merits.

I am disappointed in the actions of the professors at Oklahoma University in trying to kill legislation that affects junior high and high school science classes. I am also disgusted with the yearlong one-sided celebration of Darwinism that OU is sponsoring on their campus. The in-your-face promotion of materialism and secularism is way outside the mainstream of most Oklahomans.

I say again, hearts must be changed before one’s mind can be changed. Truth must be taught before knowledge can be gleaned. SB 320 was a good idea that was killed by a mostly partisan vote (save one Republican). Scientific truth has been stifled far too long in the classroom. My hope is, as we search for the answers, pure hearts and open minds will never ignore the truth again as it was in the Oklahoma State Senate last week.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 5th, 2009 and is filed under Editorials.