'Unknown' Fester? We have a tradition, -- separation of church & state. If we must have state supported schools, they must avoid teaching religious theory, as per the 1st. #2114
So you want to justify the absence of any creationist teaching in public schools on the basis of "separation of church and state," right?
Of course, -- don't you support freedom of religion, as per the 1st?
In the first place, how is it that the state can co-opt the right to teach my children?
Indeed, -- why would anyone want the state to teach religion in public schools?
Did the state give me my children? No. I entrust my children to the state
You do? Why?
with the hope than can apply the same common sense my forefathers had when they understood and thoroughly defended the fact that our existence and our rights come from GOD.
Yes, the FF paid political lip service to a 'God' in justifying our declaration of natural, self evident rights. -- So what? -- They also took constitutional precautions against mixing religion with politics. -- Smart fellas, but still political.
Well, they don't. And why must creation theory by definition be "religious?" Is it just because so many people who hold to different religions also happen to believe in creation? Please prove to me that creationism must absolutely entail religion.
"Indeed, -- why would anyone want the state to teach religion in public schools?"
Because, in case you haven't noticed, 90% of the general public believes relgion to be a natural part of existence. The general public pays schools to teach from what is commonly understood and observed by mankind. The most common and reasonable assumption to make about existence is that it did not just whip itself up out of nothing.
Public schools can treat of religious subjects with ease, and they do. The teach both evolution and creation as possible viewpoints and let students choose for themselves what to believe. At least public schools that know what education is.
"You do [entrust your children to the state]? Why?"
Because the state has been able to supply teachers who are better quailified than myself to impart the knowledge needed to be citizens who can function to the benefit of themselves and mankind. This authority does not derive from the state, but from myself as a parent, and ultimately my authority and accountability as a parent derives from GOD.
To the extent public schools depart from teaching necessary educational fundamentals I must take issue with their purpose. In fact, whose idea was public school education anyway? Probably some dumbass evolutionist who thought it smart to explain away the obvious to anyone with anything other than a wood block between their ears.
". . . the FF paid political lip service to a 'God' . . .
This is a truly unhealthy assessment of the place of religion in the lives of our forefathers. They were willing to give up their lives for what they believed and wrote, and they understood, plainly and simply, that a government derived from the people must have it's foundation in a higher principle of rights derived from Divine Providence. They also understood that the history of religions and religious persecution did not allow for a government established by the people to favor one religious teaching over another.