Related articles and links |  1 of 2

Education reform may mean more teaching of intelligent design theory
U.S. Reps. John A. Boehner and Steve Chabot, both Republicans from Ohio, have told the Ohio Board of Education that the recently passed education reform legislation may solve the board's debate over teaching evolution and competing theories like intelligent design. The congressmen quote from conference report language that says, "Where topics are taught that may generate controversy (such as biological evolution), the curriculum should help students to understand the full range of scientific views that exist."

"Many officials from science and education groups, most of whom back teaching only evolution, call the language part of a wider campaign to force intelligent-design theory into the nation's science classrooms," reports The Washington Post. "They fear that the congressional language will be used to challenge the teaching of evolution across the country."

The conference report isn't actual law, but the Post notes that "it has in the past been used as the basis for regulations that guide how laws are enforced."

For now, however, it's unclear whether the congressmen's letter will lead to more discussions of intelligent design in the classrooms, "teaching the controversy" about evolutionary theory without getting into intelligent design, or whether it will actually have any effect at all.

U.S. offers $5 million reward for Burnhams' kidnappers
The U.S. Embassy in Manila yesterday announced rewards of up to $5 million for the capture of the Abu Sayyaf terrorists holding American missionaries Martin and Gracia Burnham. "No one hide[s] from everyone," Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone said. "We hope that this Rewards for Justice program, now active in the Philippines, will support Philippine government efforts to bring to justice the terrorists responsible for the murder of Filipinos and Americans." (The Associated Press notes that it is unclear whether the $5 million is for each of the five Abu Sayyaf leaders named or for all five.)

The Philippine government welcomed the bounty. "It's okay with the government. It does not really impinge on our political situation," acting Press Secretary Silvestre Afable told reporters. "Giving rewards is not really uncommon. This is one way of speeding up the arrest of the people and engaging public involvement and participation (in putting an end to terrorism)." The BBC notes that the Philippine government has been offering a reward of $100,000 for a year without success.

In related news, the Philippine military says Ediborah Yap, the other person the Abu Sayyaf is holding, is still a hostage even though she married one of the guerrilla leaders. They also said the report of the marriage—Yap was reportedly given the choice between marriage or gang rape—is months old.

• The intellectual advantages of a Roman Catholic education | At its best, respect for natural law gives one the self-confidence that makes possible the passion and curiosity that fuel intellectual inquiry. It inoculates us against postmodernism. (Alan Wolfe, The Chronicle of Higher Education)
• Public schools need religious studies, paper says | Former university dean argues fears of indoctrination are unwarranted (The National Post, Canada)
• Conflict between educators, church | Acting on instructions from the Vatican, U.S. bishops have ordered Catholics who teach their faith's doctrine, morality, Scripture, law or history at Catholic schools to obtain a "mandatum" from the bishop of the diocese where the college is located. (Associated Press)

next page... |  1 of 2

May (Web-only) 2002, Vol. 46