Religion and Science in the Classroom

this one

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Originally Posted by Josh

Fuck that. This shit should never be taught in public schools. I mean, if we are teaching they myths of one religion, then why not all religions? Where does it stop? Why should a non-christian student have to sit and listen to a bunch of hilarious nonsense to get their grade in Science class? SCIENCE CLASS.

Maybe "Scared of Dying 101" should be an elective, but never a requirement.

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Originally Posted by Yoshi

It's a show of respect for all the people that have sacrificed so much to give us everything we have at a time where society seems to be losing an awful lot of respect for anything that's actually important. Honestly, I didn't know there were different versions.

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It technically wasn't even adopted until the 40's as something they thought everyone should do. I guess it's had a couple of mutations since whenever in 18xx it was made.

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Originally Posted by Yoshi

I strongly suspect said individuals would not agree with that and would overwhelmingly support the pledge in classrooms.

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I think there's certainly a deep divide between how people who have done their service for the country feel and people like myself who like the country but don't really feel the need to salute the flag or pledge allegiance. I just hope they don't think it's out of disrespect for their contribution. For me, nationalism/patriotism is superficial, but that certainly doesn't detract from the fact that my sissy ass would *never* be able to do what they did.

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Originally Posted by Josh

this one

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Originally Posted by Yoshi

I'd teach it the same way I'd teach that people once thought the world was flat. There is historical context to many pieces of science. So you teach the flat earth with astronomy or geology, and you teach creationism with evolution. It's one of the "those who don't learn from history are bound to repeat it" things that demonstrates that we don't know everything and that well accepted ideas can be radically changed by new evidence. Isn't that the entire point of science? Or would you rather have kids memorize the periodic table and F=mA with no context, which is how we all ruin math classes in schools?

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I'm sorry. The correct answer was, "Religion has no place in the classroom"

In before some dumb shit

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Originally Posted by Yoshi

We're seeing an awful lot of people taking freedoms for granted and in a big hurry to give them away. I think we could use some reminding of that idea.

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sooo force people to do something?

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Originally Posted by Yoshi

And that's exactly the point I was making. Wouldn't you rather they hear about it in school in the context of evolution?

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No, I don't want them involuntarily exposed to it at all from an authority figure either school, me, or to a lesser extent the media. If they do become religious, which is ok honestly, it needs to be 100% because it is their choice and not at all influenced by others, even their peers.

I certainly don't want them to hear about it in science class anymore than I want doctors and nurses reciting curative prayer in med school.

True story: I've never said the pledge in my entire life. Even as a preschooler it seemed a stupid thing to do.

I was fighting against religious family members about dinosaurs on the Ark in grade school. Never to early to think.

Then you guys will love this. My future sister-in-law and her family are pretty religious and are concerned about inviting my gay cousin and his partner to the wedding. Why? Because they don't want their kids to see anything "weird" - i.e., them showing any affection toward each other. My future s-i-l also said that if it's needed, she would personally call my cousin and ask that he not do anything "odd". It's as if she thinks them being gay will expose the other kids to some condition or influence their decision on which gender they prefer - as if it's even a choice?! What bums me out the most is that she's pretty cool otherwise.