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March 20, 2007

Science Teacher Fired Over Evolution Presentation

A part-time biology teacher at Sisters High School has been fired for turning science class into Bible class. Parents say Kris Helphinstine crossed the line when, in a lesson on evolution, he "included Biblical references in material he provided to students and gave a PowerPoint presentation that made links between evolution, Nazi Germany and Planned Parenthood." Helphinstine says he was just trying to teach students critical thinking skills. "I never taught creationism," he said. "I know what it is, and I went out of my way not to teach it."

A quick Google search reveals that in addition to having a master's degree in science from Oregon State University, Helphinstine is an outspoken right-wing Christian, former college football player, and firefighter. My guess is his manliness got the best of him; he thought he had it all figured out how he could share the "truth" with students about creation without crossing the line and actually teaching it, and he ended up not being as smart as he thought he was. He definitely should have lost his job for that.

I am reminded of a former neighbor of mine back in my conservative activist days. She didn't realize my political leanings and once confided in me that she became a teacher specifically so she could indoctrinate children into liberalism. I swear to God, that's what she said to me. Well, you just have to wonder if Helphinstine became a teacher so he could indoctrinate children into creationism. Both are offensive and entirely out of line with what the teaching profession is all about.

One students' father, however, went a bit over the line with this statement: "How many minds did he pollute?" Come on, now. Is it really so awful that some high school kids were exposed to this and now have to talk about it with their parents? Are their minds really so delicate that they can't handle seeing a teacher screw up? Or does this father think that maybe Helphinstine's linking of evolution and Planned Parenthood to Nazis was so sensible that his child might start voting Republican and going to church?

In the end, I expect most of the students will come away from the experience with a better understanding of the concept of sound science and a better grasp of why some things belong in the classroom setting – and some things do not.

Posted by Becky at March 20, 2007 09:37 AM