Should children whose parents disagree with evolution be offered another science course or allowed to bow out?

Question

When I was in school many children were allowed to be excused from classes that conflicted with their faith or not required to answer. Such as evolution, Sex ed, and some P.E. There were also those exempt from the Pledge of Allegiance. Should not these children be allowed the same as regards their right to their faith? This is a matter of opinion so all answers are welcome and encouraged.

For those who state "If we do not agree with it teach them at home" Why? We pay taxes and support schools as well. By the way I do not personally believe or disbelieve evolution. It is one option.

Answer 1

Yes, they should be allowed to "skip" an evolution class. As a Christian, teaching evolution is the exact opposite of what I believe. Prayer was taken out of school because of someone trying not to offend someone's personal beliefs, saying the Pledge of Allegiance is optional so that students won't be forced to do something that's against their beliefs. If you're going to make an exception for one, you have to make it for all.

The condition of schools and the quality of education are just two reasons why I plan to homeschool my children.

Apparently someone didn't read the part of your statement that says "all answers are welcome"- how ignorant and small minded to give me a thumbs down for expressing my opinion. Oh...oops! I forgot, Christians' opinions are just always wrong, anyway.

Answer 2

I suppose it is the parents right to have their child skip the part about evolution that is in biology class but would they really want to do that? I feel like knowing what all viewpoints are about gives a person knowledge to base their faith on. I always had my daughter attend all courses offered and she turned out to be a very nice, spiritual woman.

My husband used to teach sex-ed and he stopped because some parents decided that since he taught sex-ed he must be a God-less pervert. That is hardly the case but he got enough of that and stopped doing it. Some parents demonize the teachers when that is not necessary and what does that teach their kids? Certainly not love for other people.

Just my opinion...

Answer 3

A student can learn about evolution and still believe in creationism. Their parents just need to tell them how to differentiate between science fact and religious fact. No matter what religion you are 2+2=4 and water is made of 2 Hydrogen atoms and 1 Oxygen. The same for evolutionary theory, its information the scientists use. Whether the student wants to believe it or not is their choice, but they should still learn the information.

Answer 4

No, but the parents should be informed of the content of the instruction, so that they can, at home, clarify any points that are contrary to their beliefs. The children will need that information if they want to succeed in advanced studies. Parents are the primary educators of children - if the school teaches something that the parent believes to be incorrect, the parent has a responsibility to give the child the correct information. The child, however, should not be penalized by the parent in later evaluations, by not having the knowledge of the "common belief".

Answer 5

My children go to public school. I am a Christian. I feel that knowledge is good in all areas. When I disagree with a concept taught in school I state my case with my children directly. I am the President of the PTA where my kids go to school and am actively involved with policy making at the local, state and national levels. Teachers specialize in education of children and I hold them personally accountable at every turn. I meet with the teachers, staff, faculty and principle several times a week and I respect their expertise. I view them as an extension of myself; they work for me.

As for evolution, my kids will learn of the theories, scientific processes and conclusions drawn from the facts uncovered by logical examination. I will reconcile my beliefs and faith with them accordingly. I am not sure however how the age of a dinosaur bone impacts those in distress around the world and in my own neighborhood. Jesus said to love your neighbor and those who are starving or who live in war zones could not care less.

Answer 6

I think they can skip that part of science class. When I was in school not to long ago, some kids did skip out on that section because of religious reasons. But as far a teaching another belief: They can't do that because evolution is the only science belief. I did happen to take an anthropology class that dealt with other beliefs. And it was in a public school. But this was anthropology, not biology.

Answer 7

All of these children have to live in this world. They need to be able to defend their faith in their own minds. That means it is up to the parents to place a firm foundation of their religion in their kids lives. Then the kids faith will not be rocked when teachers have other opinions. If kids are allowed to hear different views, then go home and discuss them with their parents and compare the views with their religious texts, the kids will only grow stronger in their faiths.

So, I think that children should take the courses offered at the school they are attending. Parents in the US, at least, have the option of home schooling, private school and open enrollment, if they have a problem with the curriculum being taught at the local school.

Answer 8

i've got examine Darwin and Gould, yet i've got additionally examine people who take a serious view of Darwinism, which includes Phillip Johnson, Michael Behe, Jonathan Wells, and Tom Bethell. Have any Darwinists examine any opposing perspectives? Frankly, it truly is totally significant to envision the intense data against Darwinism because of the fact it truly is been censored in colleges. every person who discusses the inadequacies of Darwin's nineteenth century hypothesis (e.g., the Cambrian explosion) is censored, pilloried, and subjected to vocational persecution. If the Darwinist claims had the overpowering help that proponents declare, why do Darwinists beat down the contest? Cheers, Bruce

Answer 9

While we are at it we should allow children to skip chemistry since it discusses the mutations of DNA which leads to evolution.

We should also probably make physics optional since the electromagnetic and nuclear forces which result in chemical bonding plays a role in evolution, the big bang, and cosmic inflation; all of which are against christian faith.

Biology? Well we know biology is the cornerstone of evolution, so lets make that voluntary as well.

Answer 10

is it really that threatening?? So what if they learn something they don;t actually believe in, its just a theory anyways. Are you afraid that these students faith is so shaky that they will suddenly renounce jesus if they happen to listen to someone Else's idea of how the world came about. Seems to me you don't have much faith. Kind of sad when you don;t even want anybody to hear a different side of an argument. Goodness forbid someone learn something other than what they are spoon fed by their parents or church. If these parents are so concerned they could always home school, then they would never have to worry about contradictions to the brainwashing they have worked so hard to do.

Answer 11

Parents can exclude their children from any activity they choose, anytime. Each school has to decide if they will enforce consequences: lower grade for missing assignments, scoring poorly on the test for that segment, missing class. As part of their lifestyle choice, parents have to decide what is more important to them

No other course should be offered. Public school provides a broad education. The state should not provide specific education to any individual child (with the exception of children with disabilities) just because they reject the one in place.

Christians should recognize that their lifestyle is an ALTERNATIVE lifestyle. And like other alternative lifestyles (i.e. neopaganism, liberalism), society does not have to restructure to accomodate their individual needs.