The bill approved by the state Senate would have permitted local school districts to teach creationism as long as the curriculum also incorporated origin-of-life theories from multiple religions, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Scientology.
The original bill proposed by Sen. Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, simply called for allowing schools to teach creationism, but the Senate revised it to include references to multiple faiths.
House education committee Chairman Robert Behning, R-Indianapolis, said last week he believed the multiple faiths requirement made the proposal unworkable because it would be almost impossible to find teachers who would know about origin beliefs from so many religions.
That doesn't sound like a terribly good idea. Lumping in Genesis 1 with the crazy story L. Ron Hubbard made up, and have it all taught by whoever happens to be the teacher? I am pretty sure that is not the intent of the oirignal bill but it seems perfectly reasonable in a religiously pluralistic society. If we are going to teach creationism alongside evolution, it naturally follows that we open that up to all religious viewpoints. So when little Johnny and little Suzie are in science class, they would be presented with the creation account in Genesis right alongside the Scientology belief of human beings as eternal aliens called thetans. Maybe Tom Cruise can come in for a guest lecture?
I am glad that Indiana is not going down this path. If you want your kids to learn about creationism from a Christian viewpoint, don't send them to a public school.
2 comments:
If you want your kids to learn about creationism from a Christian viewpoint, don't send them to a public school.
Or for those who do send their children to public schools, give them the alternative at home. I similarly ask two questions of those concerned that teacher's can't lead prayer in public schools:
1) Do you really think state prescribed prayer is a good idea?
2) Did you pray with your children before you sent them off to school?
Even for those who do not homeschool, the home is a (possibly the most) powerful influence. Christian parents need to use that influence well.
"If you want your kids to learn about creationism from a Christian viewpoint, don't send them to a public school."
Amen to that! Still baffled that so many Christian parents choose to send their kids off to the secular state for "education."
And nice touch with the Cruise/Oprah shot.
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