I think evolution is a correct theory of the development of life and I frequently take issue with posters who want to teach intelligent design in the classroom. By the same token, this teacher has no business attacking religious beliefs in his classroom. It isn’t even a philosophy class. He’s off base and should be reined in.
I’d like to see meaningful discussion of the possibility of intelligent design included in science teaching. I’m taking college biology courses (in my 40s, after an unrelated career), and the constant drumbeat of “it’s all from evolution” claims, with no real attempt to present back-up for this and, other than snide asides, no mention of intelligent design as a possible factor at any stage, is about as intellectually honest as a fundamentalist Sunday School teacher constantly harping about the KJV Bible being the absolute literal word of God which is not to be questioned.
I’m not the only student who’s finding the approach intellectually dishonest and insulting to our intelligence. The “evidence” presented to back the nothing-but-evolution claims consists of “trust me” statements about things which haven’t been covered in the course in anywhere near enough detail for students to be in a position to challenge the claims. We’re expected to swallow it whole, just like students in a fundamentalist Sunday School class are supposed to swallow “evidence” consisting of “because it says so right here in the KJV Bible”.
“I think evolution is a correct theory of the development of life and I frequently take issue with posters who want to teach intelligent design in the classroom. By the same token, this teacher has no business attacking religious beliefs in his classroom. It isn’t even a philosophy class. He’s off base and should be reined in.”
I agree with much of what you say however the question was “Is this legal” and yes, I believe it is. If it is not, I’d like someone to show me the law against it.
Is it wrong? Heck yes! But coming from a family of cops, you quickly learn the difference between “legal” and “right.”