Would it be morally right to pass a law requiring a Sunday school class to teach evolution?

Question

Just curious.

We wouldn't call it evolution, though. We'd call it "Inelegant Design."

Answer 1

it would not be morally right to force any religious denomination to teach or learn anything that goes against their faith

which is why matters of faith, such as reciting memorized prayers or teaching creationism, should be taught in Sunday school, not public schools

Answer 2

Of course not. It would not be legal, either. But that is the point of "separation of church and state." It is every bit as important for the church as it is for the state. In fact, it was originally written more to keep religion safe from interference. Only recently have the tables been turned, when various religious practices traditional in public schools were banned. This is seen as avoiding establishment of a state religion. Once that concept was acknowledged by the Supreme Court, then freedom FROM religion was acknowledged as significant in public schools, and more generally in anything supported by taxes. And that's only right. Imagine if you, as a Christian, were forced to pay taxes to support a mosque. Wouldn't you protest?

The problem is, when America was founded, Christianity was so much the dominant religion that all the "freedom of religion" questions were based on (1) protecting various denominations of Christianity from interference from one another, and (2) protecting Jews from being harassed. Most people didn't even know any other religions existed, and certainly did not imagine they would one day be part of the American public. Now, with transportation so quick and easy, we have a population from everywhere, and must expand our vision to remain consistent with the principles laid down in the First Amendment.

Answer 3

It would be morally right to pass a law banning Sunday schools and all other forms of the religious indoctrination of children. Seriously, a society that claims to value freedom of religion cannot tolerate religious indoctrination. It just makes no sense.

Answer 4

Would it be morally right to force a doctor who believes that abortion is murder to perform an abortion?
Would it be morally right to force a priest who does not believe that homosexuality is a valid lifestyle in accord with Christ to perform a gay marriage?

Your question and the questions above ask moral questions of society and its relations to organizations within it. Sunday School is not a requirement for citizenship. No one is forced by the will of the state to go to Sunday School. Therefore, any encroachment by the state into the privacy of those expressing their first amendment freedoms to assemble, expression, and religious liberty, is done with animus.

The very fact that the motivation is one of animus, and outside the public sphere, would make it illegal as well as immoral.

Answer 5

There is a disturbing trend of scientists, teachers, and students coming under attack for expressing support in the theory of intelligent design, or even just questioning evolution. The freedom of scientists, teachers, and students to question Darwin's theory, or to express alternative scientific hypothesis is coming under increasing attack by people that can only be called Darwinian fundamentalists.”

New Ben Stein Flick, Expelled, Blows the Whistle on Evolution.
Expelled is a disturbing new documentary that will shock anyone who thinks all scientists are free to follow the evidence wherever it may lead.

http://www.expelledthemovie.com/

Answer 6

No.

And the things that the church teaches them about it now are all wrong, so they wind up arguing against things that evolution doesn't even say. What makes you think they are qualified to teach it?

Answer 7

heck no.
you are talking about the ultimate invasion of privacy and destruction of religious freedom.to force a private organization to teach a belief contrary to their religious teachings!of course that would be immoral.for Pete's sake our troops have been forbidden from talking about christian religion with iraqi's for fear of polluting their religion.how much worse of an offense would it be to force an anti Deity philosophy on Christians

Answer 8

If it's morally right for religious people to try to make secular schools teach their theology of choice, logic dictates it is morally right for secular people to try to make religious schools teach their secular science or philosophy of choice.

Since neither are morally right...

Answer 9

But why do you want to teach Biology inside a church?

And I agree with answerer below...

Sunday school should be banned, since it preaches prejudice and injustice, in the first place.

Answer 10

I sounds fair if the science classes have to teach creation, which is unproven and as far from science as you can get.