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Do you really think you're in a position to dictate what should or shouldn't be taught in school when you don't even know what a scientific theory is?
A theory is the best anything ever becomes. It does not mean a guess. Gravity is a theory. Germs are a theory. Atoms are a theory. Plate tectonics are a theory. Evolution is a theory.
A scientific theory is "a well-substantiated explanation of some aspect of the natural world, based on a body of facts that have been repeatedly confirmed through observation and experiment."
Theory and Fact are not mutually exclusive. Gravity is both a fact and a theory. It is a fact that gravity exists. The Theory explains the mechanisms of how gravity works. Evolution is a fact. Allele frequencies change over time. The Theory of Evolution explains the mechanisms of how that occurs such as genetic drift, natural selection, etc.
It would be nice if schools could offer a class in Religion and study some of the various religions. However, even there, you are going to get the teacher's bias.
Plus, I'm pretty sure that the 'let's get God back in schools' have something different in mind. Though, so far, I've only heard morality, respect, and recite the Pledge.
To teach a certain form of religion or denominationalism isn't going to work. No one is going to stop a child from praying before a test. It is left up to the parents to teach their child about God not the government or school.
Mandated prayer time to be added to the curriculum? Bible studies?
Students are currently allowed to practice their religion, and to pray in their free time. Government employees are not allowed to promote or encourage religion.
Mandated prayer time to be added to the curriculum? Bible studies?
Students are currently allowed to practice their religion, and to pray in their free time. Government employees are not allowed to promote or encourage religion.
They want Christianity declared the National religion.
To teach a certain form of religion or denominationalism isn't going to work. No one is going to stop a child from praying before a test. It is left up to the parents to teach their child about god not the government or school.
And what of the parts of civilization that bequested literature, music, art, philosophy and political movements inspired or heavily influenced by Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Hinduism, folk religions, Wicca, Rastafari, Baha'i Faith, etc?
What indeed. I am certain that Israel does not ban the texts and ideas of of Judaism, Saudi Arabia certainly does not ban studying Islam, Japan does not ban discussions of the inflluence of Buddhist thinkers and artists, nor India readings in and about Hinduism. As for the others, I'm sure they are alive and well in California's schools.
Only America seems to fear its spiritual heritage and chooses to eliminate discussions of the Christian source and inspiration for a significant portion of the vast wealth of Western art, literature, philosophy, and historical analysis.
I want schools to be values neutral. Simply teach English, Math, Science, History, the Arts, etc.
What I can offer is anecdotal. A friend's daughter attends a school in suburban Atlanta, where reading the Bible, on the students free time, is not allowed.
The student wasn't proselytizing; wasn't holding a Bible study, or anything of the like. She was by herself, reading her Bible, and it wasn't allowed.
In other districts in NY, singing secular caroles like Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. This is not allowed.
In short, the Constitution held at bay, and showed respect for, people of varying faiths, beliefs, and opinions. But as we move further and further away from the Constitution, special interest groups from both sides/perspectives got involved, to the extent where there's no happy medium. Thanks to a lack of respect for the Constitution, we're living in a society where tension between Left/Right, Secular Humanism/People of Faith, is at an all time high.
Both perspectives are extreme. Only by returning to the Constitution can we enjoy harmony as we have in the past.
What indeed. I am certain that Israel does not ban the texts and ideas of of Judaism, Saudi Arabia certainly does not ban studying Islam, Japan does not ban discussions of the inflluence of Buddhist thinkers and artists, nor India readings in and about Hinduism. As for the others, I'm sure they are alive and well in California's schools.
Only America seems to fear its spiritual heritage and chooses to eliminate discussions of the Christian source and inspiration for a significant portion of the vast wealth of Western art, literature, philosophy, and historical analysis.
Why?
But this country was founded on freedom from having to worship ONE religion, and thereby the separation between church and state. Here, we are free to worship countless religions, and there cannot be one state religion.
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