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We want separation of church and state, not someone using this as their voice.
We looked into on the internet and these films have already been outlawed in Mississippi. The producer has admitted to some of the quotes not being real or well documented.
One of the films said that if we go with Christian based education that there is less teen sex.
I don't dislike Christians, or any other religion but I don't want propaganda taught as history.
Has anyone dealt with this sort of thing? How is it best to complain?
Thanks.

2007-09-06 05:33:23 · 48 answers · asked by Cindy P 4 in Society & Culture Religion & Spirituality

The name of the main tape is America's Godly Heritage, produced by David Barton.
Also, this school is a public school.

2007-09-06 14:27:09 · update #1

48 answers

I suppose I would purchase a nice thank you card and with an enclosed gift certificate to a nice restaurant.



Heaven forbid, your child should ever consider God's great love for him!

2007-09-06 05:40:41 · answer #1 · answered by fanofchan 6 · 5 12

Your answerers are turning this into a forum on their pet issues.

This suggests some of the reactions you are going to experience from the PTA, the Principal, other parents, etc., when you bring this up.

What would you like the outcome to be? Not just this week, but at the end of the year, next year, and when your child is no longer a child?

I think when you plan backwards from your intended goals, you may have a clearer sense of how to proceed. I don't envy you the task, but when you're done you may be able to write a book about it.

BTW, I think that the legal status of these films in MS might make a good point with the school board, PTA and/or principal.

As a former teacher - I'm an atheist who taught world history, including comparative religion, to students of various beliefs - I found that honoring and respecting people's differences of opinion went a long way toward keeping them, and me, happy. I didn't give in at the start, but made sure to listen for opportunities to find common ground.

Best of luck.

2007-09-06 09:37:20 · answer #2 · answered by umlando 4 · 0 0

I would start off talking to the teacher if I were you. Ask questions about the films, perhaps even to be allowed to view the films (unless you can get them on your own). Then ask if they are a part of the required cirriculum and if they aren't, ask why they're being shown in a history class. Explain your views, but be careful not to sound like you're attacking the teacher or his views. If you're really uncomfortable with those movies being shown in school and passed off as "lesson" (which I sure would be), go to the principal, and if necessary, the school board. Children should be taught according to the cirriculum approved by the Board of Education, not according to the teacher's personal beliefs, religious or otherwise.

2007-09-06 05:51:31 · answer #3 · answered by OhKatie! 6 · 1 0

Sorry, but history as taught today is propaganda. For example, remember the old story of George Washington cutting down the cherry tree? (Never happened. Nor did he have wooden teeth.) Or how about the one that says the War Between the States was fought over slavery? (It was fought over states rights v. US government. At no time during the war was any slave freed in the US by act of law.) History is written by the winner. It is all slanted.

Without knowing exactly which films you're talking about, it's very hard to comment on them.


Edit: OK, I found and read through a transcript of the video. Speaking as a Christan, I must admit that I agree with several of the points made. However, you are correct. It is an apologia dressed up as history. Sadly, the theocratic tone overshadows any valid historical points made. If you choose to fight this, you would be within your rights. If you choose to let it alone, I would sit your child down and explain that there are several things about the video that you disagree with and then illustrate them. If you google the video, you should find enough information to present your argument adequately. There is even a scathing critique by the Baptist Joint Committee on Public Affairs. :-)) Good luck to you.

2007-09-06 05:42:11 · answer #4 · answered by King James 5 · 3 1

I think you are very reasonable. I would take your concerns to a school attendant first, as this violates the separation of church and state and presents a distorted view of history. If he ignores your requests, I might look up the ACLU and learn more about what you can do in this situation. I'd also pull the kid out of the class. Sitting in a hallway beats social and political propaganda!

I see you have a lot of wack jobs on the postings above. Some people believe that our schools should be financed to teach their unscientific version of creationism, weather patterns, and cosmology.

Nobody in a state-financed classroom is taught atheism, everyone is free to pray or not to pray on their free time, and over half the states offer an elective course in the Bible. Their intolerance is one reason that I fear the rise of Christian fundamentalism in America.

2007-09-06 06:15:13 · answer #5 · answered by Dalarus 7 · 2 1

Complain to the principal of the school immediately. This is completely inappropriate, and if the films are promoting Christian education, then it is clear that the teacher has an agenda. Tell the principal that if that teacher shows another one of those films, you will be forced to get a lawyer.
(As soon as they receive threats of a lawsuit, they take action. They don't want to even risk it.)

2007-09-06 06:21:37 · answer #6 · answered by Jess H 7 · 1 0

If you have a problem, any problem, with the school or the teachers, go to the teacher and principal.

Personally, I don't have a problem with anyone presenting religion from a historical standpoint; even those religions I do not believe in. Presenting it as fact, though, is out of place. Just like presenting the big bang theory as fact is out of place.

And remember (not being rude to you) the child's first classroom is the home and the first teacher is the parent. You play an enormous role in your child's education. Example: The big bang is taught in our school system. I don't protest this. Instead I help my children understand why it is an inaccurate theory.

2007-09-06 05:52:53 · answer #7 · answered by starfishltd 5 · 2 1

If you are against it ask for an equal time showing of national geographics on Darwin and Evolution, if they say no to avoid a stink you might talk to your son about your views and rent tose videos to sho him before and after, make a stink with the administration, there is the church and state provision, or just make it into a joke and let it pass, you know the have a creationist museum in the south that shows a dinosaur with a man riding it with a saddle, get a picture of it and ask the teacher to put it on the board for show and tell

2007-09-06 05:42:49 · answer #8 · answered by frank 5 · 2 1

I'm not sure where your history teacher was coming from, but you were correct. God is Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Jesus is the Son, and that means He is the Son of God. He is not God the Father, He is God the Son. If your teacher is also Jewish or some other faith that doesn't understand the concept of the Holy Trinity, this wouldn't make much sense to him, though.

2016-05-22 17:48:32 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0 0

Well, most of the history your child learns is white western biased propaganda anyways, but a teacher should never bring beliefs into the classroom. Talk to the principal, then ACLU if need be. They would probably deal with the lawyers.

2007-09-06 06:06:55 · answer #10 · answered by chavito 5 · 2 0

You really have to go to the administration on this one. It doesn't even sound like these videos are history related. You can just tell the principal that you disapprove of the videos as they appear to be proselytizing Christianity and you feel he/she should look into this teacher's curriculum. If the Christian propaganda does not stop immediately, you will be filing suit. The ACLU or Americans United for Separation of Church and State will likely help you if it comes to that.

2007-09-06 05:41:29 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1 2

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