Anti-Christian classroom? http://www.foxnews.com/oreilly/ Student says his history teacher consistently criticizes Christians ...
Firstly, I disagree with some of the strong comments made by this teacher (I am not sure how much it was taken out of context). But will it create this much fuzz if he was attacking smaller religions such as Witchcraft or newer religions such as Scientology? I think not!
To be fair, since the U.S introduced interesting things like "intelligent design" to public school science classes, I don't see why we can't question some of the history of religion in history classes.
The U.S. National Academy of Sciences has stated that "intelligent design, and other claims of supernatural intervention in the origin of life" are not science because they cannot be tested by experiment, do not generate any predictions, and propose no new hypotheses of their own.[15] The National Science Teachers Association, an organization of American science teachers and the largest organization of science teachers in the world, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science have termed it pseudoscience http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intelligent_design
Can we question religions in history class? Can history teachers attack some of the history of religion? The conservatives will surely disagree (when it comes to their religion) but is it such a bad idea to question something? This is a class room and learning usually begins with "?".
"Nunc Scio Quit Sit Amor" But it's still not premarital sex if you don't plan on getting married
I dunno... ...has the teacher invented an imaginary after-life furnace for pupils who don't agree with him?
Sure, the kid is offended, but he does not have a legal case, the teacher has rights to say everything he said, and the kid has the right to discard what was said (which naturally, wearing big '80s style 'Jesus glasses', he will). This will get a lot of coverage, it will be sad and interesting to watch.
Posts: 5633 | Location: Aotearoa (New Zealand) | Registered: 09-22-02
The kid's case is weak. He would have to show that the teacher did more than heap abuse on religion and its partakers, i.e. single out believers with bad grades. He also admits that he did not exhaust all possible channels for his complaints before resorting to the courts, and thereby impugns his standing as a plaintiff.
The lawyer's play on the Disestablishment clause is laughable. He overextends the meaning of "agent of government" to refer to teachers, as if their authority has the same force as a police officer's or a judge's, and fails to show that the teacher levied any unjust penalties on believers. How does a tirade amount to establishing anything?
skaioisi men gar kaina prospheron sopha doxeis achreios kou sophos pephukenai. Euripides, Medea
quote: He would have to show that the teacher did more than heap abuse on religion
But he didn't even do that! I didn't hear any abuse, I only heard strong-worded, legitimate criticism. I think you and I listened to different O'Reilly segments, Jwpublius.
Posts: 5633 | Location: Aotearoa (New Zealand) | Registered: 09-22-02
quote:To be fair, since the U.S introduced interesting things like "intelligent design" to public school science classes, I don't see why we can't question some of the history of religion in history classes.
I think they must encourage questions, as long as the way in which it is done is to show mutual respect to each other's believes.
It will also assist with much needed critical thinking on the child's part.
quote:Can we question religions in history class?
By all means yes.
quote:Can history teachers attack some of the history of religion?
By all means no. Teachers must guard against indoctrination. If they have a strong feeling about a certain religion, why it is good/bad, they can state their reasons without ATTACKING the religion or the people who practise it.
quote:The conservatives will surely disagree (when it comes to their religion) but is it such a bad idea to question something? This is a class room and learning usually begins with "?".
I agree 100%. The one who will never ask, is the one who will be in the dark forever.
"A good deed is never lost, he who shows courtesy reaps friendship." - Maurice Maeterlinck
Posts: 94 | Location: Between Niks and Nerens. | Registered: 02-19-08
quote: By all means no. Teachers must guard against indoctrination. If they have a strong feeling about a certain religion, why it is good/bad, they can state their reasons without ATTACKING the religion or the people who practise it.
No they cannot state their reason, but they can offer their silents.. Their religion can be explained, but not when a teacher wants to give off her religion as if it were a better one...
If a teacher brings up the topic, then she is better of to listen to the students rather than join in.. Sure she can a few things to get the conversation going, but her opinion must always be nutural.
Questions are important indeed, but I don't think a teacher is always qualified to answer such questions.
Inefficient, is not to be dumb, but rather uneducated, in certain abilities and certain skills. One should not consider himself above another just because he has shown a great deal in education; however, it is nothing special that some are more educated than others, and it is nothing to brag about, but it is wise to consider the possibilities that you can use your education to keep others who are not as educated in great use.
Posts: 622 | Location: Tionesta Pennsylvania, USA | Registered: 09-22-05
