Creationism in Public Schools

[Danarch]

I stumbled upon an article from discover magazine:

discovermagazine.com/2009/jan/036


I don't understand why a teacher would do such a thing, especially in a public school. Why can't christians leave it in their own schools? At least the supreme court ruled it unconstitutional to teach creationism in a public funded institution of education. Check out some rulings in the courts where creationists getting hammered like nails in a coffin:

atheism.about.com/library/decisions/indexes/bldec_CreationismIndex.htm

I'm glad the constitution is there to blockade a theocracy from moving in. The thought of which scares me btw:magic:

 

[Kerr]

I agree with you. As I see it, creationism have no place in schools. At last not in public ones (well, personally I do not think it have a place in private ones, but that walks over into a political view).

 

[darkendless]

Young minds should not be brainwashed with stupidity.

 

[fantome profane]

Creationism Lurks in Public High Schools

The survey suggests that teachers might be more willing to build their coursework around evolutionary principles if they felt better prepared. “Teachers who lack confidence in their own knowledge of evolution feel uncomfortable getting into confrontations about it with either students or members of the community,” says Michael Berkman,

The problem is that many high school science teachers in the U.S. lack a basic science education.

 

[ThereIsNoSpoon]

The problem is that many high school science teachers in the U.S. lack a basic science education.

That sentence made me wonder what the requisites for a science teacher in the US are.

 

[Sunstone]

That sentence made me wonder what the requisites for a science teacher in the US are.

They don't need to have a grasp of all the big concepts in science, but are allowed to specialize in one or another science. And, if they want, they are allowed to specialize in science education, rather than in a science. At least that's my understanding. I could be wrong.

 

[Sunstone]

Young minds should not be brainwashed with stupidity.

Just what do you have against young people watching FOX News?

 

[painted wolf]

That sentence made me wonder what the requisites for a science teacher in the US are.

My high school science teacher had to be a good coach.

wa:do

 

[Nepenthe]

My high school science teacher had to be a good coach.

wa:do

LOL!
My JH teacher in the 8th grade had his MSc. My HS science teacher in my junior year was a coach as well; I doubt he had anything more than a bachelor's degree in ed.
My 10th grade statistics teacher had a PhD and it was such a fun class 'cause Fridays were open where we could talk about anything. So much fun.

As for the OP, easy: NO, creationism should not be taught in schools.

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Why stop at teaching creationism? Astrology, numerology, and alchemy should get equal treatment if we're going to start teaching nonsense.

 

[TheKnight]

Creationism shouldn't be taught because it's not science. The purpose of a science class is to discuss scientific ideas.

Ideas of origin, from the religious POV, are theological ideas and therefore don't have a place in a science class. Maybe if they want a separate Theology class or religion class it would be acceptable there.

Why would we ask a science class to teach something that isn't science? It's like wanting to hear about Physics in your English class.

 

[Fortunato]

Creationism shouldn't be taught because it's not science. The purpose of a science class is to discuss scientific ideas.

Ideas of origin, from the religious POV, are theological ideas and therefore don't have a place in a science class. Maybe if they want a separate Theology class or religion class it would be acceptable there.

Why would we ask a science class to teach something that isn't science? It's like wanting to hear about Physics in your English class.

Now that's a good idea! How about a Theology class in the public schools? That way the creationists could have their creation idea taught along with all of the other competing creation ideas. Of course the theology class would have to teach all sides of the debate about theology (ie Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc). You could have texts prepared and approved by each religion and have a local rabbi, priest, or whatever come in and teach their own particular religion.

 

[nonbeliever_92]

Now that's a good idea! How about a Theology class in the public schools? That way the creationists could have their creation idea taught along with all of the other competing creation ideas. Of course the theology class would have to teach all sides of the debate about theology (ie Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc). You could have texts prepared and approved by each religion and have a local rabbi, priest, or whatever come in and teach their own particular religion.

Tee Hee, improbable...

 

[darkendless]

Just what do you have against young people watching FOX News?

I've never watched it personally so my comments on this matter would be unjustified.

I just think its rediculous to teach kids religion as if it was actually somewhat "true." Its far from that, far to subjective.

 

[TheKnight]

Now that's a good idea! How about a Theology class in the public schools? That way the creationists could have their creation idea taught along with all of the other competing creation ideas. Of course the theology class would have to teach all sides of the debate about theology (ie Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, etc). You could have texts prepared and approved by each religion and have a local rabbi, priest, or whatever come in and teach their own particular religion.

I think that would make sense. OR, you can leave the teaching of religion to the parents (Like it should be).

Any parent who doesn't teach their child religion at home should not complain about their child not being taught religion at school.

As a religious person, I think that any parent who relies on school to teach their child religion and anything other than information from professional fields is an irresponsible parent.

Yes, school should teach a wide range of things. However, the ethical development of the child (and also the worldview of the child) is the primary responsibility of the parent.

(It's odd, because the Rebbe really supported having religious-centered public education. Or at least education that focused on making people better. I, on the other hand believe that this is a responsibility of the parents. I place a lot of responsibility on the parents in general.)

 

[Danarch]

I did take a world religion class in high school, when I lived in Greenville S.C. A very unlikely place BTW. I loved that class, except it only discussed a handful of the major religions. Got a nice A+:clap

 

[ThereIsNoSpoon]

They don't need to have a grasp of all the big concepts in science, but are allowed to specialize in one or another science. And, if they want, they are allowed to specialize in science education, rather than in a science. At least that's my understanding. I could be wrong.

Well i think they SHOULD at least know how the scientific method works. Knowing this however would prevent all serious teachers from claiming that ID or creationism could be considered scientific.

 

[monta]

In Ireland we have religion taught as a subject in public schools (or as we call them schools) but by religion they generally mean catechism.

You are however entitled by law to an education, the onus is on the government to educate you and you can sue if this duty of care has not been met. For this reason among others they would not even consider allowing a school to teach creationism.

Our religion teacher taught it once and put it like this.

1 theory is the big bang
1 theory is god made the universe as it is now
1 theory is evolution

She left it at that , it seems to be a particular issue in the US, I don't think other countries struggle with it in the same way.

 

[ThereIsNoSpoon]

She left it at that , it seems to be a particular issue in the US, I don't think other countries struggle with it in the same way.

Indeed. Here in Germany the word "creationism" is not even mentioned in biology. Why should it?

 

[monta]

Indeed. Here in Germany the word "creationism" is not even mentioned in biology. Why should it?

Here either, not even if it is a Nun teaching which is not so unusual, it really is a non issue.