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Originally Posted by pamela
It is our responsibility to provide accurate knowledge to the up in coming adults.And just as Greek and Roman mythology have a place in the classroom, so does the myth of creationism as well.
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Well said, Pam.
While I agree that these discussions may have a place in the classroom, I'm usually specific in stating that this doesn't mean the science classroom, particularly the Biology classroom. Philosophy, or a class on world religions and their beliefs would be more appropriate.
But this is not acceptable to those that are pushing ID in the science class. They are not just trying to get ID taught in school, they want it to be presented as viable scientific research that directly contradicts what they believe to be the premise of evolution - that life evoled independent of god. And they wholly recognize the importance of influencing children.
There are plenty of other opportunities for kids to be exposed to religious teaching. The true purpose of ID is to undermine the science of evolution.
Also, I don't particularly agree with HB that we should start young children off with Creationism because they would prefer that kind of story, and then expose them to the truth later on. I have said it before that simple, creative concepts surrounding the development of the solar system and the evolutionary process, for instance, could be produced for young children that would be interesting and fun to learn. Consider Bill Nye, for example. He's great at making science education fun and exciting, and even funny.
Obviously, parents should be free to choose what to teach their kids. But when it comes to public education, the responsibility of the state is to teach children using current methods and information in each subject, that isn't contaminated by the influence of a particular group's ideology, even if it is prominant in the community.
