Board Says No To Creationist "Science" Degree

It looks like the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has come to its senses. The Institute for Creation Research had asked the Board to approve its plan to offer a Masters Degree in Science based on creationist principles. They would have offered the degree online.

Back in January, an advisory committee to the Board had recommended the degree be approved. It looked for a while like the Board would go along with them and approve it, but science teachers across the state objected and the Board put off its vote.

The teachers pointed out that this "science" degree would not be based on scientific principles, but instead it would be based on Biblical principles. The Institute does not believe in the Big Bang, evolution or that the earth is millions of years old. Obviously, this would not be a science degree at all. It would be a religious degree.

On Thursday, the Board finally voted, and they rejected the application. The Institute says they will appeal. If they do, they should lose the appeal. A true science degree must be based on science, not religion.

Commissioner of Higher Education Raymund Paredes did not think the degree program met accepted standards of science or science education. He said, "...religious belief is not science. Science and religious belief are reconcilable but they are not the same thing."

Thank goodness the Board came to their senses. Otherwise, Texas would have been the laughingstock of the scientific world.