Image provided by: Clackamas Community College; Oregon City, OR
About The print. (Oregon City, Oregon) 1977-1989 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 21, 1981)
features_____ ____ Scientific creationism? By Tom Jeffries Of The Print “The state does not prescribe what should be specifically taught in science or other courses. That decision should be left to local school boards,” was State Attorney General Jim Brown’s decision on whether the theory of scientific creation should be taught alongside the theory of evolu tion in public schools. Scientific creationism is the theory that creation, and the evolutionary process were begun and monitored by God. Three College biology instruc tors were consulted for their opinions. “I wonder how people would’ feel about the mandatory? teaching of evolution in church?” said science instructor John Snively wh§n asked how he felt about both theories be ing treated equally in the classroom. “From a personal perspective, I would never teach scientific creationism as an alternative to evolution. I spent my time in church, but I also spent 12 years in college and learned a lot about alter nate explanations that; are much more satisfying and ra tional to me,” Snively said. “Besides, from a scientific point of view, you cannot teach a belief. We don’t teach, any theories based on beliefs, we base it on tested hypothesis. I couldn’t teach creationism and be serious. It’s not in the realm of science. I don’t see how you can teach a science class and inject beliefs. As a taxpayer, if public schools were to adopt this I’d fight the whole process. It simply doesn’t belong in the classroom. There’s not enough to back it up,” he added. “I don’t feel it should be taught in the classroom,” echoed biology instructor Deryl Hampton. “It should be taught in church. Science classes should contain science,” . have no particular pro blem with creation,” Hampton added. “A thinking, rational person can believe in God and evolution, but evolution is hap pening, we can see it, whereas religion has to be taken on faitfi. Evolution is the single unifying theme in life sciences, it’s the basis of modem biology. I would be upset if creationism were taught in the classroom. It’s religion.” ; “I don’t feel there can be any such thing as scientific crea tionism,” agreed instructor Florence Lee. “The two words are mutually exclusive. They’re incompatible. Science is based on facts. We have lots of courses about religion, we shouldn’t bring it into science.” “Our Constitution is founded on a principle of separation of church and state. We should not bring the church into the public classroom. As a tax payer and a believer in the Constitution, I would be against it.” Stoff photo by Duffy Coffmt y - Adams teaches mountaineering By Steve Lee Of The Print Have you ever wondered what it would be like to climb a mountain or a cliff...just because it was there? Many people have, and the sport of climbing is growing in populari ty everyday. There is tpore to climbing than one might expect. For ex ample, the techniques used in alpine climbing are very dif ferent from those used in rock climbing. The cost to get started in each is quite dif ferent. But both can be done at any time of year. Seek instruction Since both of these sports can be very dangerous without .proper instruction, it is impor tant to know where to receive quality training, at modest cost, and have fun doing it. Chuck Adams, director of admissions and records, has Page 6• just the ticket. He and a couple of his friends run a moun taineering school in Gresham. They teach basic and in termediate mountaineering skills in a course connected with the community education program. Although Adams isn’t teaching any classes this winter, he usually teaches in the evenings and on weekends. His instructors are of high quality, and of them he says, “one is a fireman, and the other works for the Forestry Department,” occupations which have trained them well in safety and wilderness skills. In', the past, Adams had taught survival classes to Pacific Northwest Bell crews who work on the many microwave towers situated throughout the moun tains of Oregon. He has also taught survey crews from the Department of the Interior . and the Federal Highway Commis sion the basics of mountaineer ing, ropehandlin^ and. safety. “We teach them to use the^ equipment that they have with them as tools for practical sur vival. For instance, a hubcap can be used to dig with or as a pan to melt snow in. The Wind shield of a truck can be used to make excellent snowblocks for use in building an igloo,” he pointed out. Take action Some of the more specific skills taught by Adams are: making snow caves, trench shelters and igloos; using snow-cat equipment for uses other than designed (such as using snow-cat seats as insula tion from the snow, or using wiring to weave snowshoes); first aid-preventing , hypother mia and frostbite, injury maintenance; an emphasis on taking action--doing something, not just sitting there; finding food and drink in the wild (pine needle tea, roots and berries, and how to make snares for small game). \ For the time being Adams Adams. It would definitely b won’t be teaching any classes the trip of a lifetime to travel because he is involved in too. 'a foreign country and see a many College committees to the natural beauty of those ei allow him time away from otic places. If you are interest« school. But soon his commit in an overseas mountain trek ment as a committee member leave your name and numb! will end, and it is conceivable with Adams in the Registrar that during the summer months Office. he will be able to teach a few Low cost classes classes and even make an ex cursion or two. For those who would rath Adams said that he hopes to just stay at home, there is “make a trip to a foreign coun local group known as 4 try this summer. Hopefully, to Mazamas who teach basic, I Switzerland, New Zealand, or termediate, and advancj to the Himalayas.” Last year, mountaineering courses. It the College offered a class in inexpensive for these hi Mt. Trekking, which quality courses, and Adai culminated in a trip to New recommends them highly. 1 Zealand...Or would have, had Mazamas teach during the s] there been more interest. It ing and summer at local hi seems that many people who schools. Their course indue normally would have been in a mountain trip at the end, terested in such a class were well as all the technique y disuaded by the $2,000 course can handle. Their courses! fee. usually filled to capacity a “This type of an excursion is people are turned away ei expensive, so I would en year, so sign up early. ( courage all those who would 227-2345 for more inforn like-to go to save up,” said tion. ckamas Community Collej
