AlphaConfiguration
New Member
This point needs to be made because it is so often overlooked:
Before we start dealing with the bogus arguments that "creationism should be taught in schools," it's important to clarify this:
At least here in Massachusetts, the story of the christian creation is being taught in schools. The difference is that it is taught in context.
Christian creationism is taught, not in a science class, but is incorporated in the social studies curriculum of junior and senior high school for public schools.
As part of the unit of world religions (a part of the curriculum), it is taught juxtaposed with the stories of creation that come from Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Shintoism, and even some archaic tribal religions and used (along with other traits of the religion) to explore its effect on the culture's development. It is also introduced to some literature classes in a similar way.
It's just not being taught as a science.
Occasionally, it's given time in the science classroom in Biology, but only to establish the progression of the theory of evolution and scientific history. For example, a teacher may start by explaining, "[brief description of creationism] was widely accepted at the time Darwin and so his ideas were initially met with discontent ... During that era, the idea of a ladder model for life has already been kicking around for some time, but it was susceptible to political corruption and didn't fit with the observable evidence...." Basic historical context of the theory of evolution, then it would be taught in greater detail. It's given the same light as "people used to think the earth was flat, but this was challenged in first century Alexandria when..."
So the next time some idiot says that creationism is being "repressed" in the educational system, just tell them, "It's not, it's just being taught in its context and not as a science because it ISN'T."
Before we start dealing with the bogus arguments that "creationism should be taught in schools," it's important to clarify this:
At least here in Massachusetts, the story of the christian creation is being taught in schools. The difference is that it is taught in context.
Christian creationism is taught, not in a science class, but is incorporated in the social studies curriculum of junior and senior high school for public schools.
As part of the unit of world religions (a part of the curriculum), it is taught juxtaposed with the stories of creation that come from Judaism, Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Shintoism, and even some archaic tribal religions and used (along with other traits of the religion) to explore its effect on the culture's development. It is also introduced to some literature classes in a similar way.
It's just not being taught as a science.
Occasionally, it's given time in the science classroom in Biology, but only to establish the progression of the theory of evolution and scientific history. For example, a teacher may start by explaining, "[brief description of creationism] was widely accepted at the time Darwin and so his ideas were initially met with discontent ... During that era, the idea of a ladder model for life has already been kicking around for some time, but it was susceptible to political corruption and didn't fit with the observable evidence...." Basic historical context of the theory of evolution, then it would be taught in greater detail. It's given the same light as "people used to think the earth was flat, but this was challenged in first century Alexandria when..."
So the next time some idiot says that creationism is being "repressed" in the educational system, just tell them, "It's not, it's just being taught in its context and not as a science because it ISN'T."