Don’t question scientific theories?
I don’t know if you have been following the debate in Texas over the teaching of evolution over creationism or not, but a compromise has be reached. In the process, an even larger issue has been unearthed.
“State education leaders forged a compromise on the teaching of evolution Friday, capping a week of impassioned debate that had scientists, teachers and textbook publishers from around the country focused on Texas.”
The compromise is a good thing. Children should have a well rounded education and be exposed to mainstream scientific theories and ideas. However, it is not the public school system’s job to belittle or replace a family’s belief system. A child should be taught how to think for themselves and their religious beliefs should be a respected part of that. This decision seems to be a positive move in that direction. However…
“But the board’s 13-2 vote also means students in public school will be encouraged to scrutinize “all sides” of scientific theories. That left some of the pro-evolution crowd upset.”
This makes no sense. This is what science is all about. Theories are put to the test and scrutinized from all sides and aspects until consensus is reached. This is how something becomes a scientific fact. This should be a positive move and is rather shocking that pro-evolutionists are upset.
The curriculum will require that students “in all fields of science, analyze, evaluate and critique scientific explanations … including examining all sides of scientific evidence of those scientific explanations, so as to encourage critical thinking by the student.”
Exactly! This is what the school system is for. Their job is not to fill a child’s head with memorized junk. The overall goal to to make a child into a free thinking individual. They need to learn how to analyze data and make decisions for themselves. Is this not a positive move?
This should be hailed as a victory for both sides. The fact it isn’t is quite concerning. What would pro-evolutionists prefer to be taught? Should we be teaching our children to accept scientific theories unequivocally? This would be a disaster for future scientists and scientific discoveries. However, this does seem to fit into the modern political climate. We are being taught not to question global warming and to suppress and ignore scientific findings that dispute it or are not deemed as “politically correct”. In doing so, we are creating a generation without analytic thinking abilities. The fringe benefit… a generation that is easy to control and manipulate. Indoctrination by manipulation of education.
The outcry against this decision has little to do with being pro-science and more to do with being anti-religion. Those who are truly concerned about teaching the scientific method to our children should be celebrating this decision. Those who care about creating future generations of independent and analytic thinkers should be ecstatic!
Well said!
I just had to say, 1 Thessalonians 5:21.
Even Paul in the Bible wrote to the Thessalonians, “test everything.”
Not some things, EVERYthing.
The Christians (or what some refer to as ‘religious people’) are thinking for themselves! We consider the theory of evolution. We aren’t afraid to consider and think on it. These thoughts don’t threaten me.
I choose what I believe. I personally like to know my options.
So, why are some strictly scientific people so afraid to test or consider creationism? Or faith? Which party is really hindering free thinking?