I Demand That Wellnessism Be Taught In Science Classes In Texas Public Schools

Along with evolution, germ theory and creationsim, I want wellnessism introduced in biology classes in Texas public schools.  If the first two areas of scientific knowlledge are "just" theories to the school board leaders, well, then let's hear all the theories and let the little children decide what's sensible.  Isn't that what made America great? 
 
Christian Scientists believe disease is caused by sin, spiritual healers believe in the theory of auras, shamans believe in demonic possession, psychic surgeons believe in extracting defective parts without cutting, astrologers in birth periods and constellations and Republicans believe in the theory of small government and great fortunes.  I say let all these theories and wellnessism - the theory that healthy lifestyles will set us free of doctors, drugs and disease, be taught.  "Teach the controversies," I say.  That's what the Christian fundamentalists insist upon in Texas, and if it's good enough for Texas, it's good enough for me.  Yeehaa. 
 
Now I realize there is more going for the germ theory of disease and the theory of evolution, at the present time, than wellnessism.  However, wellnessism has a whole lot more going for it than creationism and the other theories noted above. So, fair's fair.  Teach the controversy, even if we wellnessism enthusiasts have not made a claim yet for our beliefs as theory.  We just want equal times with the intelligent design folks.

Wellnessism explains why people who exercise vigorously, dine more or less in accord with established dietary guidelines, take responsibility for their health and seek added meaning and purpose, happiness, support and all kinds of positive initiatives manage to boost the quality of their lives.  Wellnessism explains a few things and predicts a few others, and even gets it right now and then.  What can creationism explain?  Therefore, we want to be included, especially if the "Grand Wazoo did it" theory gets access to the science classes in Texas. 

Oh, and it's OK with wellnessism supporters if the Texas school board requires educators and textbooks to play up the "problems" with wellnessism, as they plan to do with the theory of evolution, provided they also list the "strengths and weaknesses".of creationism.  Good luck with that.  Who will be asked to provide the strengths of the latter - televangelists?
 
Since the Texas state board of education is composed of at least half a dozen and probably more creationists, I think it only fair to insist that half the board be composed of persons with healthy lifestyles.  It would not do for a group primarily consisting of overweight, chain-smoking rednecks who have no clue about the nature of the wellness movement or the lifestyle it entails to be making decisions that affect the lifestyles of Texas schoolchildren. 
 
Jerry Coyne, author of the best-seller "Why Evolution is True" (Viking), wrote an article entitled "Creationism in the Classroom" (guardian.co.uk, 26 March 2009) which inspired these demands for wellnessism.  In his essay, Dr. Coyne offered this parting observation"

"What happens in Texas doesn't stay in Texas. That state is a sizeable consumer of public school textbooks, and it's likely that if it waters  down its science standards, textbook publishers all over the country will follow suit. This makes every American school hostage to the  caprices of a few benighted Texas legislators.  Our children will face enormous challenges when they grow up: global warming, depletion of fossil fuels, overpopulation, epidemic disease.  There is no better way to prepare their generation than to teach them how to distinguish fact from mythology, and to encourage them to have good reasons for what they believe."

Just so. To show how reasonable wellnessism enthusiasts are, we will remove our righteous demands for equal time if the creationists (and the spiritual healers, shamans, psychic surgeons, astrologers and Republicans) back off and take their "theory" of intelligent design back to their churches. 
 
Not that such nonsense belongs there, either, but it will be far less harmful than introducing "intelligent design" in science classes.

Comments

[Lenore Howe]

Don -- I bet you have written as many words about wellnessism as Darwin wrote about evolution (or the early Christians wrote about the Creation) so I think your theory has earned a place in every classroom, not just in Texas.

[bjohnson@charter.net]

Move over, Rush Limbaugh, there's a new, hate-filled theocratic fascist in town.

Why are conservatives so flaming crazy? Under the deranged leadership of people like Beck, Palin, Limbaugh, Michelle Bachman, et al., the delusional wingnuts are really getting riled up now, big time. My opinion is that it's only a question of time before they start resorting to violence, which I suspect they will be good at.

Here's the problem: like ideologues everywhere, right-wing lunatics are absolutely certain they are right and that the other side is trying to destroy their way of life, which is God's way, the AMERICAN WAY, which, of course, is the right way, the only way. Obama's election was the final straw that vindicated their paranoia -- and he's a BLACK MAN, for God's sake!

Reality always has been and remains complex and challenging; understanding portions of it is demanding. Science is so picky, so detail oriented, so uncertain. It is much easier for the intellectually challenged to simply accept some prefabricated, simple-minded, black-and-white world view that appeals to their inner lizard.

Read it and quake:

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/analysis/688

Disclaimer: I hope I'm wrong, but I don't think so.