School district recalls band's evolution t-shirt

[The Straight Story]

School district recalls band's evolution t-shirt




Sedalia, Missouri– Smith-Cotton High School’s band directors (along with Main Street Logo) designed a t-shirt for the band members to wear this fall. The idea behind the shirt was that it would convey the evolution of brass instruments and the image of human evolution would be recognizable in putting the two together to portray the message. The theme name of the band’s playlist is “Brass Evolutions 2009”. After receiving several complaints from parents and teachers, Assistant Superintendent Brad Pollitt decided to have the kids turn in the shirts. Pollitt also said the district is required by law to remain neutral where religion is concerned.

Tonya Fennell reports:

Band parent Sherry Melby, who is a teacher in the district, stands behind Pollitt’s decision. Melby said she associated the image on the T-shirt with Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

“I was disappointed with the image on the shirt.” Melby said. “I don’t think evolution should be associated with our school.”

http://www.examiner.com/x-8948-Dallas-Atheism-Examiner~...

[DontTreadOnMe]

1. fixed...

“I was disappointed with the image on the shirt.” Melby said. “I don’t think education should be associated with our school.”

[eppur_se_muova]

17. Don't worry, dear. It most likely won't be. nt

[Divine Discontent]

2. creation/evolution aside - it's a horrible design with a silly premise....

[mix]

“I don’t think evolution should be associated with our school.”

Well that says it all...stunned again by the ignorance, I am.

[kenfrequed]

9. That line struck me as well.

How can someone be so wantonly ignorant?

[mix]

14. I've spent my whole life in education, hearing things like that is just...bizarrre and disturbing. n

[mikelgb]

3. “I don’t think evolution should be associated with our school.”

No, definitely not. Wouldn't want people to get the idea that you are evolved.

[Divine Discontent]

6. yeah, kinda silly

I mean, I believe in creation, but there clearly is a strong argument that adaptation occurs in species. I may not go all the way in believing that each of us evolved directly in a series of evolutionary steps from a monkey, but to say there hasn't been evolution, or to stop the open discussion of such on a shirt is ridiculous - only when you are attacking a group (like if people wanted to wear a shirt in school that says Gays are evil) should they be stopped, but what is wrong with saying you believe in something. the evolution of instruments and using the progression of the monkey to man idea is really cheesy, but what a load to block it.

[seemunkee]

13. Are you serious?

from a monkey?

[Pyrzqxgl]

4. Someone should take those T Shirts & make them publicly avialable to those who want to make a mark

AGAINST Censorship.

[lapfog_1]

5. “I don’t think evolution should be associated with our school.”

don't worry... it won't be.

And I'm also going to guess that she would be opposed to this image as well:



Because she wouldn't want anything but a flat earth representation to be associated with "her" school either.

[JBoy]

7. I hope they get rid of gravity too.

'Cause then the Coyote will finally be able to kick the Roadrunner's ass.

[lysosome]

8. "Pollitt also said the district is required by law to remain neutral where religion is concerned."

WTF?!?!? Since when is evolution religion?!?!

[badgerpup]

10. Aw fer cryin' out loud.... n/t

[immoderate]

11. ..."required by law to remain neutral where religion is concerned." !!??

**Preaching to the converted.**

Science is neutral where religion is concerned. It favors no particular religion or god.

--imm

[immoderate]

12. I sent an email to Brad Pollitt...

Hi Brad,

You are probably more famous now than you cared to be, It could have been avoided. Moreover, as an educator myself, it's embarrassing to hear school officials make erroneous statements.

You said the district is "required to be neutral where religion is concerned." Well, science is also required to be neutral where religion is concerned. It does not favor or discriminate against any religion. In fact, religion is totally outside the scope of science.

Science is about discovering the truth about the world by direct observation, reason, and experimentation. Which religion is opposed to that? If any of them are, you should ignore them, because you're supposed to be neutral.

The student t-shirts are clever, and they should not be deprived of them by educators, who should know better, caving in to the forces of ignorance.

You didn't do your job here, Brad. Hope you can pick it up

So I wonder if he'll get to see it. I'm sure it will have no effect.

--imm

[Zoeisright]

15. Well, Sherry Melby obviously hasn't evolved.

So I guess I see HER point.

[11 Bravo]

16. It's not religion, it's fucking SCIENCE!