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An Expelled teacher muses on carrying the lamp of learning into Darwin’s smoky cave

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In Free to Think: Why Scientific Integrity Matters (2010), Expelled’s Caroline Crocker recalls a conversation with a tutoring student’s mother, after a session teaching the textbook Darwin sludge:

“I want her to learn the truth!” Felicita exclaimed …Here I hesitated, “Listen, being vocal about this issue probably lost me three jobs and resulted in my being blacklisted from getting many others. Students are also being intimidated into following the party line. If I teach Maria both sides of the issue, I strongly advise that you instruct her not to challenge her teacher.

“But the teacher should also know the truth. After all, it’s a Catholic school and committed to excellence in teaching.”

“What you tell Maria to do is your decision, obviously, but please consider carefully. The thought police are hot on this issue. I know she’s only in seventh grade, but you definitely need to carefully consider if it’s worth the risk. Is she up to the possible consequences of being outspoken on this issue?”

After due consideration and more conversation, Felicita asked me to teach Maria the truth, but to instruct her to keep it to herself.” (p. 188)

And high overhead, one almost heard the cackle from yet another of Darwin’s broomsticks* subside into confused curses, the warm scent of a fungible mind lost for the present.

Immunopharmacologist Crocker was Expelled from George Mason University, and is now executive director of AITSE, a think tank on integrity in science.

*Darwin’s broomsticks: See here for a use of this term.

Comments
"When an opponent declares, 'I will not come over to your side.' I calmly say, 'Your child belongs to us already… What are you? You will pass on. Your descendants, however, now stand in the new camp. In a short time they will know nothing else but this new community.'" ~ Adolf Hitlerbornagain77
April 15, 2011
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Heck invite the teacher(s) to listen to Dr Crocker.Joseph
April 15, 2011
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Perhaps Felicita knows like-minded parents. Then they all get together and have all their kids listen to Dr Crocker. What is the teacher going to do if the whole class is outspoken on this issue?Joseph
April 15, 2011
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