Another FAQ on teaching Evolution and Creationism in the classroom, this time from National Center for Science Education
http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/articles/3117_evolution_creation_and_scien_ 12_7_2000.asp Some relevant points from this FAQ: What do the courts say about the teaching of evolution and of scientific creationism? In 1962, in the important case of Epperson v Arkansas, the Supreme Court ruled that states may not forbid the teaching of evolution. Then, in 1987, in the Edwards v Aguillard decision, the Court ruled that states may not require the teaching of "scientific creationism," because to do so would be to teach a religious doctrine, in violation of the First Amendment to the Constitution. The First Amendment forbids the government to do anything that inhibits or advances religion. According to the law, public schools may teach about religion; for example, a social studies teacher may tell students about the beliefs of the people in a country they are studying. But a teacher may not advocate a religion -- that is, tell students they should adopt particular religious beliefs. What About the Teacher�s Freedom of Speech? Outsideof school, the teacher is as free to advocate religious beliefs as any other citizen. In school, these rights are limited by the teacher�s professional responsibilities. Another Supreme Court decision, Palmer v Board of Education says, "There is a compelling state interest in the choice and adherence to a suitable curriculum.... It cannot be left to individual teachers to teach what they please." The science teacher�s responsibility is to teach the best known scientific knowledge. This responsibility is affirmed by a number of teachers� organizations that also work to protect teachers� rights. Policy statements of twenty-one educational organizations may be found in the NCSE book Voices for Evolution. What about the rights of parents to have their beliefs taught to their children? Nobody denies the right of parents to teach their beliefs at home, or to have their children taught their beliefs in churches, summer camps, and so on. But the situation in the schools is more complicated. Schools have to teach children from a variety of religious and ethnic backgrounds, and teachers accomplish this by using a curriculum that avoids promoting or denying religious beliefs. Teachers must meet curriculum requirements designed to assure that children learn what they will need to know. The schools couldn�t function at all if they taught every belief of every parent. Some people believe that Shakespeare didn�t write the plays he is known for, and have various theories about who did write them. Some people believe that the earth is a hollow ball, and others (including some creationists) believe that it is flat. The schools do their best to teach the most accurate information available. But if a majority, or at least a very large number, of people wanted scientific creationism to be taught, wouldn�t it be more democratic to do that? The decision we have made in our democracy is to try to give all children the best education possible. We know that sometimes a great number of people have misconceptions. Sadly, large numbers of people don�t know that the earth revolves around the sun, how electricity works, or what causes tides. Is it fair to the children to omit teaching things because a lot of people don�t understand them, or to teach them something that isn�t true, just because a lot of people believe it? -- Larry C. Lyons ColdFusion/Web Developer Certified Advanced ColdFusion 5 Developer EBStor.com 8870 Rixlew Lane, Suite 204 Manassas, Virginia 20109-3795 tel: (703) 393-7930 fax: (703) 393-2659 Web: http://www.ebstor.com http://www.pacel.com email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Chaos, panic, and disorder - my work here is done. -- ______________________________________________________________________ Macromedia ColdFusion 5 Training from the Source Step by Step ColdFusion http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0201758474/houseoffusion Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/index.cfm?sidebar=lists
