I won’t be mentioning my teacher’s name in this. Mainly because I have three weeks left of class, and I don’t want to be failed. Once class is over, I will be reporting this the way I need to go about it.
I’m still in absolute shock over this. Last night, I attended my college Biology class. Our topic for the night was evolution and the different kingdoms of living things. An hour into the five hour class, I had to leave because I was completely disgusted with what my teacher was saying.
He started off his discussion by saying that there are two ideas (not theories, but ideas) of how life became how it is on Earth. He closed the classroom’s door. Once the door was closed, he glossed over the scientific explanation very quickly (less than 20 seconds), then explained Creationism for about five minutes (5000 year old Earth, no evolution, etc). He then said that accepted scientific thought is the first, and that’s what the school wants him to teach, “…but we all know which one is right.” WHOA! Back the fuck up! After he finished his Creationism lecture, he opened the classroom door again.
It got worse. When he got to descriptions of virii, he proceeded to lecture the class on abstinence. He said that the AIDS virus (he never called it the HIV virus, which I think is a more accepted term but I may be wrong) is so small, that it will pass right through a condom. “So if you get AIDS from premarital sex, I’m not going to feel sorry for you.” Not only is this wrong, this had no place in the current discussion, let alone in the class as a whole. As soon as he said that, I gathered my things and left.
Biology is a science. As such, I’m in this class to learn science, not the teacher’s religious views. If that’s what is going to be taught, why the fuck is it a prerequisite for me to get into the higher level biology classes I need to take for my degree? If I wanted to get Christianity’s take on Biology, I would have attended a seminary school. I’m attending a state college.
What the hell is wrong with some people?
Apr 23, 2010 @ 08:28:39
Whoaa, that was real sick…
Apr 23, 2010 @ 10:51:13
Since he closed the door prior to the discussion, it suggests he has been told not to talk about such things in class and does it anyway. Unfortunately, there are some bilogists that are so hardcore religious that they fail to see the evidence before their eyes. Although this isn’t restricted to biology and science folks by any means. My neuro prof was a very religious Catholic with some rather odd views for a biologist in some areas, but when it came to teaching bio, her views had nothing to do with the facts. She didn’t preach about how this invisible agent made these fantastic cells but rather how the cells worked chemically and biologically.
I agree with not wanting to fail the class three weeks before it ends. I also agree you should definitly mention names after you get your grade. But not just here. I would mention them to the dean. I would also consider the info he presented before this point as suspect. He may have changed some of the stuff to fit his views.
Apr 23, 2010 @ 11:58:25
Please do share the name when you can. Also report it to the Dean of Faculty. This “teacher” should be fired. He/She also should not be a funded scientist.
Apr 23, 2010 @ 12:28:46
Bryan- I will in about three weeks. I want to have my grade official before I risk doing that.
Apr 23, 2010 @ 14:30:59
DEFINITELY report this guy to the department chair and Dean. I strongly recommend recording lectures now if you can and keeping ALL relevant materials (handouts, lecture slides if they’re posted, etc.).
By the way, AIDS is not a virus, it’s a condition. HIV is the virus that causes AIDS. A 2000 NIH study showed that condoms reduce the risk of HIV transmission by 85%, and a 2007 study by the WHO showed it to be 80-95% effective. It is a very common MYTH that condoms are not effective at reducing HIV transmission.
Apr 24, 2010 @ 11:45:10
Agree–he should be reported to the department chair and dean.
If he can’t be bothered to deal with trivial things like facts and evidence, then he’s not competent to teach that particular topic.
Apr 24, 2010 @ 12:05:54
bug_girl- That’s the part that gets me. He has a PhD in Biology! How did he pull that off?!
It seriously makes me wonder why I’m putting in such hard work to ensure that I get a PhD when it’s obviously so easy to get and doesn’t make you any smarter
Jun 07, 2010 @ 00:15:45
Jaden:
I studied geology at Boise State University for three years in the early naughtsies. I was really disheartened one day when I overheard two of my classmates going on and on about how they don’t accept the prevailing view of science (4.7 billion-year-old earth, evolution of life on this planet, etc.), substituting instead a cretinist worldview. I remember thinking to myself, “Okay, you two took the same science classes that I did. You’ve both been exposed to the same evidence. You’ve both studied and used the scientific method. How is it that you still hold to mythology?” What I came to understand–especially when I learned that one of them was planning to become a science teacher–is that they were essentially stealth creationists. Get the creds, then hide behind that while countering the “lies” of modern science.
Someone really needs to keep stressing that in Proverbs it says, “… God hates; … a lying tongue….” And that Jesus said, “The devil is a liar and the father thereof.” And in Revelations, “(Liars) will be cast into the Lake of Fire….”
But I guess that if it’s done in God’s name, it’s not really a lie.
Creationism in College: the details « Jaden's Blog
May 21, 2010 @ 09:57:05
May 27, 2010 @ 17:11:47
Chances are good the dept. chair and dean know about him. I have run into a similar person who has recently become the dept. chair.
May 28, 2010 @ 14:32:36
You gotta post this to myprofessorsucks.com
May 28, 2010 @ 15:37:56
In the photograph of the class notes, evolution is described as “adaptation results in genetic variation…” This is totally NOT the theory of evolution. The theory of evolution says that genetic variation arises randomly (or quasi-randomly) and that species evolve and adapt to changing ecological niches by natural selection of the random genetic variants. The guy doesn’t even understand the basics of the theory of evolution. In my experience, most creationists don’t.
May 28, 2010 @ 17:13:39
If I were you I would ask for my tuition to be refunded.
May 28, 2010 @ 19:45:19
Yeah, what about when you get AIDS from your husband? Hell, there are women who can’t get rid of vaginal infections because their lawfully wedded hubbies won’t stop fucking the livestock.
May 28, 2010 @ 21:34:43
It’s been a month, update on the situation? Or was that comment a few above mine indicating that it fell on deaf ears.
May 28, 2010 @ 21:54:49
Alex- There’s an update posted in a separate entry. Go to my main blog page to see it.
May 29, 2010 @ 09:10:55
5000 year old Earth? That dude is totally wrong. In the 17th century James Ussher proved the Earth was created on Sunday, October 23, 4004 BC. That would be 6013 years ago.
May 30, 2010 @ 12:00:00
If you are a science major I would very seriously consider transferring to another college.This “professor” is denying you the chance for a quality education.I would really like to know what college is so backward as to hire this man as a teacher.
May 30, 2010 @ 13:32:30
I hope they have a decent football team. Was this a public/state college or a private institution?
Jun 01, 2010 @ 22:45:33
Forgive me, strange foreigner here. I’m Australian, but I always assumed when Americans talked about “college” they meant “university” not “bible college”.
Jun 08, 2010 @ 14:19:02
This is Danniel Parker, a staff writer for the OCCC Pioneer.
We’d like to interview you on Mike Talkington and his teaching of creationism.
Please contact us ASAP.
My phone # is 405-532-6001. You have my email.
Thanks Jaden.
Michael Zimmerman, Ph.D.: The Times They Are A-Changin’: Good Evolutionary News from Oklahoma | Blog All Over The World.com
Jun 30, 2010 @ 18:07:28
Jun 30, 2010 @ 20:40:48
Awesome. And they say witch hunts are a thing of the past.
You should be ashamed of yourself, Jaden. I’m sorry that you feel you shouldn’t have to hear points of view you disagree with. The Dean was right. You aren’t.
Thanks for scoring one for fascism and intolerance. Good job.
Jun 30, 2010 @ 23:12:39
The science departments dean is investigating Mr. Talkington’s teaching methods, unless you are misinformed.
It’s a policy of OCCC to teach the theory of evolution in the 1st level Biology class, not to do so is considered a failure to teach the required material.
Jul 15, 2010 @ 11:44:06
Are all you folks aware that speciation, the basic process described by Darwin, that the progeny of one species can be assigned to another species, is understandable in Genesis 1, provided >>>PROVIDED<<< the mind is open to such an idea.
I trust you appreciate the implications for this whole nonsensical argument!!!
Jul 21, 2010 @ 10:42:06
Hahahaha the creationism bit is weird cause we all know Adam and Eve did not exist. He may not be completely accurate with the HIV passing through the condom thingey but there is nothing wrong in teaching abstinence.
Aug 08, 2010 @ 13:43:19
Jaden, You pointed out the what I love about most liberal thinkers. You are tolerant as long as it agrees with your personal point of view. Evolution is not a theory and it can’t be proven as fact, just as creation can’t be absolutely proven. Science does not know what caused the ” big bang,” just that it occurred. Perhaps it was by intelligent design, something you obviously know nothing about. Many highly respected scientists ( who profess no personal beliefs in the Christian faith) from various scientific fields and universities (Princeton) do not exclude creationism from evolution. If you don’t believe it, research their credentials. Just because these scientists are not heard (usually shouted down by people like yourself) doesn’t mean they don’t exist, and that their views are not credible. You truly showed your ignorance on this whole subject. Listening to opposing viewpoints expands the mind and provides perspective. I would assign you an F for this one. Talkington is right, and it is a shame that a good professor is blemished by the remarks of narrow minded people who don’t know how to do anything but complain if something is said they don’t agree with. Great work for promoting intolerance!
Aug 08, 2010 @ 13:50:26
And you have an edu email address? Wow.
I’ll let you comment stand on its own, even though is greatly flawed. I will point out, however, it’s not nice to take an autistic’s statements out of context. We’re completely literal. Quit insisting that I meant things I never said.
Aug 10, 2010 @ 17:59:27
@Marica. Ridiculous nonsense. Thank you.
Aug 18, 2010 @ 09:16:23
You are obviously a very troubled young man and I will remember to pray for you. I hope this question rings out in your head over and over as you speak out against Christians like Professor Talkington: “If I’m right and they’re wrong, we’re both in big trouble. But if they’re right and I’m wrong, I have the opportunity to live a meaningful, forgiven, and eternal life in Heaven instead of Hell.” It must be so sad for you to live without any hope. I pray you would choose not to, and I’m so glad I don’t!
No, I’m not any better than you. The only difference between me and you? I have a REASON to live. With some good choices, you have a chance to change the rest of your life for the better! Give Jesus a try.
Aug 18, 2010 @ 10:22:55
Where did I ever say I wasn’t religious? I just don’t feel religion should be taught in a science class. You’re really reaching to get to your conclusion.