Head Explodey, Part 3

The lede on this Reuters story seem relatively harmless, or maybe even positive:

Americans who question evolution are testing a new tactic in Ohio, arguing that schools should be required to discuss all controversial issues from creation to stem cell research and global warming.

In what critics on Wednesday called a new attempt to bring religion into the classroom, the Ohio State Board of Education will consider a proposal next week that would oblige schools to teach critical thinking in all subjects.

I mean, the “who question evolution” thing is scary, but what rationalist could argue with “teach critical thinking in all subjects”?

Of course, as with so many things, you dig a little deeper and you find out that some people define words very differently than you do. For instance, it appears that these people define “critical thinking” as “questioning the products of reason, where they conflict with the most ridiculously literal interpretation of the mythology of a bunch of desert tribes”.

It sounds a little different when phrased this way:

Creationists on the board are hoping to introduce a Controversial Issues Template, which would not only allow for the teaching of intelligent design in science classrooms, but demand that teachers question global warming and highlight the religious right’s opposition to stem cell research.

That’s the summary from DefCon, at their alert page where they tell you how to do something about it.