Public education
From CreationWiki, the encyclopedia of creation science
Public education or schools are those provided and regulated by governments.
Contents |
Creation vs. evolution
- Main Article: Anticreation in public schools
There is perhaps no other place where anticreation sentiment is more apparent than in the U.S. public school system. A country with a solid Christian heritage has reached a status where teachers have become fearful of exposing their faith in the workplace.
This movement is in no small part due to the activities of groups such as the American Civil Liberties Union, which quickly move to sue any school district where it is reported that a teacher is challenging Darwinism or introducing intelligent design concepts in the classroom. Numerous examples have also been documented where educators were discriminated against in academia simply because of their faith in God, even when their beliefs never made it into the classroom..[1]
Progress has also been furthered by the National Academy of Sciences, which is predominated by atheism and advices U.S. policy makers regarding science education. To this end, the NAS strongly discourages the teaching of creationism and urges teachers to define science in terms of philosophical naturalism (See: Science, Evolution, and Creationism). Government policy is now also in place to discourage those who believe in God from receiving teaching certificates.[2]
Evolution monopoly
Today, government-funded schools in Western societies teach that life originated in an indescribable biological ooze untold millions of years ago, that all life on the planet is related via macroevolution, and specifically that men and apes share a common ancestor. In America, these ideas directly contradict the religious and historical beliefs of 48% of the population who believe that God created humans in their present form.[3] Yet the general theory of evolution is taught as fact in schools funded by taxes taken from people who disagree with these views.
Since the 1950s, evolutionists have had a virtual monopoly in public education. This is in part due to legislation and Supreme Court rulings. While there are no laws prohibiting the teaching of creationism in schools, Webster v. New Lenox School District ruled that a school district can ban a teacher from teaching creationism. Furthermore, as noted in Edwards v. Aguillard and John E. Peloza v. Capistrano Unified School District (1994), “the Supreme Court has held unequivocally that while the belief in a divine creator of the universe is a religious belief, the scientific theory that higher forms of life evolved from lower forms is not.” Nevertheless, the majority of cases to date in the United States have revolved around efforts by creationists to prohibit the teaching of evolution (in the Scopes Trial and others), and to require that creation science must at least be taught alongside evolution in government schools. These efforts were halted by the Supreme Court's interpretation of the first amendment Establishment Clause in Edwards vs. Aguillard. But none of these cases prohibited teachers from teaching creationism or intelligent design in schools.[1]
Another contributing factor resulting in a monopoly by evolutionists in public schools is the high number of scientists who are atheists, and in particular those who advise US policy makers. Close to 60% of US scientists have professed disbelief in God according to survey spanning the last 100 years. A 1998 survey of the members of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) found that "disbelief is greater than ever; almost total". Biologists in the NAS were found to possess the lowest rate of belief of all the science disciplines, with only 5.5% believing in God.[4] These number are perhaps most disturbing when it is considered that the NAS is a national government agency, which advises US policy makers about how science should be taught in public schools.[5] A booklet published by the NAS in 1999 and updated in 2008 (Science, Evolution, and Creationism) states unequivocally that creationism has no place in any science curriculum at any level.[6] As a result of such advise and empowerment by these greater scientists, elementary, high school, and university biology teachers and administrators teach an atheistic brand of science exclusively.
Historically, American creationists have sought to pass laws either banning evolution, requiring equal time for creation science, placing stickers in books disclaiming evolution, and requiring teachers to read one-minute statements mentioning the existence of intelligent design. None of these actions have been successful at breaking the aforementioned monopoly. As a result, a number of creationist organizations have questioned this tactic. Answers in Genesis, for instance, has said: "AiG is not a lobby group, and we oppose legislation for compulsion of creation teaching ... why would we want an atheist forced to teach creation and give a distorted view? But we would like legal protection for teachers who present scientific arguments against the sacred cow of evolution such as staged pictures of peppered moths and forged embryo diagrams ..."[7]
Doubtless if there were high school biology teachers in government schools willing and able to teach ID adequately and sympathetically, such legal protections would be appropriate. At the moment, however, in the absence of such teachers, some advocates of creationism continue to attempt to require government school biology teachers who do not understand or accept creationism to teach it against their will.
Academic Freedom Petition
Across America, the freedom of scientists, teachers, and students to question Darwin is coming under increasing attack by self-appointed defenders of the theory of evolution who are waging a malicious campaign to demonize and blacklist anyone who disagrees with them.
You can help by signing the Academic Freedom Petition and stand up for free speech and free scientific inquiry.
| “ | “We, the undersigned American citizens, urge the adoption of policies by our nation's academic institutions to ensure teacher and student academic freedom to discuss the scientific strengths and weaknesses of Darwinian evolution. Teachers should be protected from being fired, harassed, intimidated, or discriminated against for objectively presenting the scientific strengths and weaknesses of Darwinian theory. Students should be protected from being harassed, intimidated, or discriminated against for expressing their views about the scientific strengths and weaknesses of Darwinian theory in an appropriate manner.” | ” |
If you agree with this statement please sign the petition and join other Americans in supporting academic freedom. Petitions will be delivered to appropriate state and federal education officials and departments.[8]
Education News
- Commencement and Evolution Emory University faculty and students sign letter of protest that Commencement speaker Ben Carson doesn’t believe in evolution. Inside Higher Ed, May 8, 2012.
- Natural History Museums Misled School Children Museums have systematically withheld the most important fossils from their dinosaur displays. Global Press Release Distribution, April 10, 2012.
- Tabor’s choice A leading evangelical institution runs evolution-promoting seminars across Australia—and look who's funding the campaign. Creation Ministries International. March 29, 2012.
- Critics say Okla. 'academic freedom' bill promotes creationism in schools; sponsor disagrees Rep. Gus Blackwell says "the purpose of this is to protect (legally) both students, teachers and administrators who teach scientific strengths and weaknesses of scientific topics". The Republic, February 24, 2012.
- Most Americans Support Santorum Amendment's Approach to Teaching Evolution The Sacramento Bee. Jan. 7, 2012.
- New Hampshire's New Scopes Trial New Bill require evolution to be taught as a "theory". TRUTH-OUT.ORG January 7, 2012
- Heavyweights move to ban creation Creation Ministries International named as a ‘threat’ to Britain’s school children. Creation Ministries International, September 21 2011.
- David Attenborough joins campaign against creationism in schools calling on the government to tackle the "threat" of creationism. The Telegraph, September 21 2011.
- 'Question Evolution' campaign gains new ally The Traditional Values Coalition joins forces with Creation Ministries International to encourage students to question the evolutionary dogma that they hear in school. Conservative News and Views August 20, 2011.
- US judges rule for teacher who called creationism 'superstitious nonsense' Did hostile classroom remarks about creationism violate the mandate that the government remain neutral on religion? An appeals court says the teacher has immunity from being sued. Christian Science Monitor, August 19, 2011.
- Ken Miller's Inaccurate and Biased Evolution Curriculum Intentionally Disregards Texas Science Standards Prentice Hall Biology text refuses to encourage critique or meaningful evaluation and analysis of evolutionary claims. Evolution News and Views, July 12, 2011.
- Lawmakers pushing creationism in schools is a bad idea Columnist criticizes lawmakers attempts to allow, or even require, the teaching of creationism. Nashua Telegraph, July 3, 2011.
- Question Evolution. That is what Creation Ministries International wants students and laypeople to do. So they are organizing a grass-roots campaign for that purpose. By Conservative News and Views. Published on May 4, 2011.
- On Evolution, Biology Teachers Stray From Lesson According to a national survey of more than 900 public high school biology teachers continue to teach creationism in US classrooms. New York Time, February 7, 2011.
- Creationism 'alive and well' in Minnesota biology classes Just 28 percent consistently teach evolution, according to a new report. Feb 9, 2011.
- Ohio School Board Fires Teacher John Freshwater For Pushing Christian Agenda In Science Class The Huffington Post, January 1, 2011.
- Is There a Future for Christian Education ICR Grad School closes following ruling in Texas Federal court. Journal of Creation, 24(3). September 2010.
- Riding the rapids Grand Canyon rocks challenge Christian colleges' divergent stands on evolution. World Magazine, September 11, 2010.
- Dawkins: faith schools should teach all religion Atheist says that Christian schools should be forced to teach children a "secular world view", such as Humanism. The Week, August 18, 2010
- BHA responds to Michael Gove's comments on religious free schools Education Secretary Michael Gove report suggests that the he will move to exclude religious groups from using the Academies Act from taking over schools, and vows he will prevent creationism from being taught in science classes. British Humanist Association Press Release, Jul 28 2010.
- Christian schools angry over ban on teaching creationism Australian Christian schools will campaign against a decision to effectively ban the teaching of creationism. Sydney Morning Herald, March 3, 2010.
- Evolution Coverage Improves, Review Finds US public school's science standards cover evolution more extensively than they did nearly a decade ago. Education Week. August 12, 2009.
- Creationist exams comparable to international A-levels according to the National Recognition Information Centre's evaluation of International Certificate of Christian Education curriculum. The Guardian, July 31, 2009
- Texas two-step New science standards promote critical analysis of evolution. World Magazine, April 25, 2009.
References
- ↑ New Ben Stein Flick, Expelled, Blows the Whistle on the Darwinist Inquisition Evolution News and Views. August 23, 2007
- ↑ Future Teachers Conditional Scholarship and Loan Repayment Program Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board. 2008.
- ↑ God's Numbers Newsweek. March 31, 2007.
- ↑ Leading scientists still reject God Larson, Edward. Nature 394(6691):313.
- ↑ About the NAS by the National Academy of Sciences
- ↑ Science and Creationism: A View from the National Academy of Sciences Second Edition. 1999. by National Academy of Sciences
- ↑ Jason Lisle vs. Eugenie Scott on CNN!by Answers in Genesis. Get Answers. December 2004
- ↑ Academic Freedom Petition
External links
Creation
- Science Teachers See The Case For Creation! by Frank Sherwin, M.A., February, 2001.
- The attitude of various populations toward teaching creation and evolution in schools by Jerry Bergman Journal of Creation 13(2):118–123. November 1999
- Love Your God With All Your Mind Video and PowerPoint file by Chris Ashcraft addressing the secularization of schools.
- How to Teach the Controversy Legally short video by the Discovery Institute summarizes the legal framework for teaching about evolution.
- The Theory of Intelligent Design: A Briefing Packet for Educators by Discovery Institute. November, 2007.
- Addenda for Public School Biology Texts by TextAddOns.com
- Into the Schools Online video program by AlphaNOVA
- National Council on Bible Curriculum in Public Schools
- Should Evolution be Immune from Critical Analysis in the Science Classroom? by David Buckna and Denis Laidlaw. ICR Impact 282.
- Founding Institutions of Academia
- Why students walk away from Christ… and what can be done about it! By Chuck Edwards. Truth & Consequences. May 2005.
- Texans for Better Science Education
Secular
- Twenty Questions: What Have the Courts Said about the Teaching of Evolution and Creationism in Public Schools? BioScience Vol 53(8). 2003
See Also
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