Education

I have many a friend who believe in literal creationism or a variety therof. It is interesting to note their beliefs in conjunction with their level of education or specifically science education. Without naming names I'll list the people I personally know and their levels of education.Creationist 1 - High school with some community college. Thinks platapus disproves evolution. Stunned when shown that there are other mammals that lay eggs too!Creationist 2 - Die Hard YEC. Dropped out half way through a degree in engineering.Creationist 3 - Degree in elementary education late in life. Thinks of evolution in the 'hopeful monster' sense.Psudo-Creationist 4 - This one for me is weird because this person seemed very much a creationist at first. Once we got into discussion though he seemed to get very skeptical of the usual suspects like Hovind and the like. I take his stance to now be highly critical of creation science but hopefull of ID. He has his advanced degree in engineering.Creationist 5 - Seemingly in support of creation but avoids discussion. Doesn't think it is important to religion or education. Degree in communications and foreign language.Creationist 6 - Same as above with degrees in business and elementary education.Creationist 7 - Newly saved. Degree in statistics. No research on the topic. Focus on ID not creation science. Only repeats what he hears at his new church.Evolutionist 1 - (myself) - Degree in computer science with focus on mathematics and a hearty interest in basic geology/biology. Pursuing an advanced degree in mathematics.Evolutionist 2 - Pursuing PHD in mathematics, Masters and bachelors in mathematics, minored in computer science.Evolutionist 3 - Pursuing a masters in history. Bachelors in history.Evolutionist 4 - Masters and bachelors in Speech and Hearing Sciences.Evolutionist 5 - Degree in Philosophy (theory of knowledge), minor in CS. Pursuing masters in CS.Evolutionist 6 - Degree in Computer Science pursuing a masters in Comp
Bio.Evolutionist 7 - Pursuing PHD in CS, Masters and Bachelors in CS.Evolutionist 8 - Masters and Bachelors in CS.Evolutionist 9 - Pursing Masters in CS after Bachelors.So for the creationists I know that I can think of at the moment there are 7 with 5 degrees 1 in science and he is on the fence.For the evolutionists I know all have degrees most have advanced degrees or are pursuing them. 7 out of 9 are in science and the two that are not are history and philosophy.I should note that this is based on my impression of their position based on personal discussion or relationship with them. The population of people is limited to the people I know who I have discussed the EvC issue with.For me it seems to also dispel the myth that engineers are more likely to believe in creation science than other science types.

---

No smoking signs by gas stations. No religion in the public square. The government should keep us from being engulfed in flames on earth, and that is pretty much it. -- Jon Stewart, The Daily Show

The entire problem with your argument is that there is no socio-political controversy surrounding the laws of motion.The point made in the OP is that the people who are more likly to take a stance for creation science in the socio-political arena are people who also tend to be lacking in the realm of general education or at least science education.

---

No smoking signs by gas stations. No religion in the public square. The government should keep us from being engulfed in flames on earth, and that is pretty much it. -- Jon Stewart, The Daily Show

As is always the case. But do you really think there is no causation between lack of a science education and a belief in mysticism over science? Although true it is my guess that it is also rare. The folks who push creation science or its ID varient who are also legitimatly educated did so for the purpose of pushing creation science and ID. There are also many examples of individuals trying to do just that though that ended up rejecting irrational position of creation science through the pursuit. The only thing that keeps the die hards from doing the same is absolute dogmatism and an unprecidented skill to be able to reject reality right in the face of it.This message has been edited by Jazzns, 12-12-2005 11:21 AM

---

No smoking signs by gas stations. No religion in the public square. The government should keep us from being engulfed in flames on earth, and that is pretty much it. -- Jon Stewart, The Daily Show

Exactly correct. And if you go back to what I was saying I specifically restricted that description to the few creationists that actually have advanced degrees in things like biology. The only way they could ignore the evidence long enough to actually get a respectable degree in the field yet blatantly think it is all false is by the sheer will of their dogmatism.This message has been edited by Jazzns, 12-12-2005 12:34 PM

---

No smoking signs by gas stations. No religion in the public square. The government should keep us from being engulfed in flames on earth, and that is pretty much it. -- Jon Stewart, The Daily Show