Why teach creationism in public school science classes?

[AV1611VET]

Follow-up question from bright sixth grader might be, "Teacher, are you saying you can magically create an apple in your hand?" "Would you do that for us right now?"

I would then back up to Day One of the creation week, where only the earth exists as a globe of water in the hollow of God's hand, and ask this 'bright young student' to come up to the chalkboard and point out where this evidence would be located,* and what the nature of this evidence would be.

* Drawn on chalkboard:

 

[CaliforniaSun]

I would then back up to Day One of the creation week, where only the earth exists as a globe of water in the hollow of God's hand, and ask this 'bright young student' to come up to the chalkboard and point out where this evidence would be located,* and what the nature of this evidence would be.

* Drawn on chalkboard:

To which bright sixth grader would reply, "Ah, you want us to believe your god created everything without leaving evidence. In fact all available evidence contradicts a young earth created in the manner you have proposed. Why are we studying this in history class again. Wouldn't this be more appropriate in the Mythological Literature class, where we can compare this creation myth along with all other ancient cultures creation stories? Or do you expect us to believe all creation stories are literal history? In fact, I'm taking a syllabus home to my parents. I think they would like to know that I'm being taught a particular religious creation story as literal history. There's a school board meeting next Wednesday, and I'm sure my parents may have something to say about this before the board. Good day."

 

[AV1611VET]

To which bright sixth grader would reply, "Ah, you want us to believe your god created everything without leaving evidence.

To which I would reply, "I am giving you a chance -- right now -- to come up here and tell me what to look for, and where to look for it; if you don't have anything, let's move on."

In fact all available evidence contradicts a young earth created in the manner you have proposed. Why are we studying this in history class again. Wouldn't this be more appropriate in the Mythological Literature class, where we can compare this creation myth along with all other ancient cultures creation stories? Or do you expect us to believe all creation stories are literal history? In fact, I'm taking a syllabus home to my parents. I think they would like to know that I'm being taught a particular religious creation story as literal history. There's a school board meeting next Wednesday, and I'm sure my parents may have something to say about this before the board. Good day."

To which I would reply, "I eat parents like yours for breakfast. Bring your parents -- and 448 more unbelievers -- to the school board meeting, and in the spirit of Elijah, watch me dispense with them."

 

[Delphiki]

To which I would reply, "I am giving you a chance -- right now -- to come up here and tell me what to look for, and where to look for it; if you don't have anything, let's move on."

To which I would reply, "I eat parents like yours for breakfast. Bring your parents -- and 448 more unbelievers -- to the school board meeting, and in the spirit of Elijah, watch me dispense with them."

At which point, you'd be promptly fired for forcing your religious views on public school students.

 

[AV1611VET]

At which point, you'd be promptly fired for forcing your religious views on public school students.

Not if creationism was being taught as history -- I would be fired for not teaching it.

 

[hollyda]

At which point, you'd be promptly fired for forcing your religious views on public school students.

Not to mention bullying a student. Yeesh.

 

[Wiccan_Child]

Not if creationism was being taught as history -- I would be fired for not teaching it.

Then thank God it's not, if it stops religious zealots from invading schools and teaching their religious beliefs as actual facts - that's called a crime.

 

[MoonLancer]

Not if creationism was being taught as history -- I would be fired for not teaching it.

Its not history, its mythology.

 

[AV1611VET]

Then thank God it's not, if it stops religious zealots from invading schools and teaching their religious beliefs as actual facts - that's called a crime.

Actually, I think the proper term is 'coming to work' -- but I'm not from England, so I wouldn't know.

 

[AV1611VET]

Its not history, its mythology.

Mythology would be down the hall, where the taxpayers' money is being wasted.

 

[hollyda]

Actually, I think the proper term is 'coming to work' -- but I'm not from England, so I wouldn't know.

You'd have no problem with a Buddhist teaching his/her creation myth in a history class, then?

 

[CaliforniaSun]

Thank god for the establishment clause! Also a bit unsettling that a grown man is unable to distinguish myth from history.

 

[AV1611VET]

You'd have no problem with a Buddhist teaching his/her creation myth in a history class, then?

Yet again, Mythology would be down the hall, where the taxpayers' money is being wasted.

 

[CaliforniaSun]

Yet again, Mythology would be down the hall, where the taxpayers' money is being wasted.

Ah, ... I see what you did there. You almost had me.

 

[hollyda]

Yet again, Mythology would be down the hall, where the taxpayers' money is being wasted.

But your creation myth is being taught as history. If you do one, you gotta do them all.

 

[AV1611VET]

Also a bit unsettling that a grown man is unable to distinguish myth from history.

You're not that bad.

(But you do know what they say about California, eh?)

 

[AV1611VET]

But your creation myth is being taught as history. If you do one, you gotta do them all.

It might be your creation myth, but it's not mine.

 

[Upisoft]

But your creation myth is being taught as history. If you do one, you gotta do them all.

And all will fail the test of spelling "Quetzalcoatl".

 

[hollyda]

It might be your creation myth, but it's not mine.

So the Christian creation myth isn't yours? Then why are you arguing for it to be taught in schools?

 

[hollyda]

And all will fail the test of spelling "Quetzalcoatl".

Meh. This is history class. Send them to language arts for spelling.