From Deseret News archives:
'Intelligent design' in school is a no-win move
As much as I loathe imposing the Utah public school schedule and policies on my children, they know full well what's in store for them. After a summer of sleeping in, they climb back on the hamster wheel on Aug. 29. They know what the dress code will allow and they know what it will not. As much as they bellyache about it, I've become convinced that it helps them to feel safe at school.
My friends face a steeper challenge after a year of living abroad. There, there was no dress code. Just about anything went, except religious symbols and any dress or accessories that made political statements.
The dress code at my child's school makes no mention of religious symbols. If students choose to wear head scarves, crosses or CTR rings as an acknowledgment of their faith and beliefs, that's fine by me. I tend to think religion is an important anchor in a child's life.
Teaching about religion in public school is a whole different animal than teaching religion. In other words, teaching is OK, preaching is not.
My neighbors' return to Utah also coincides with a move on the part of one state lawmaker to require schools that teach evolution theory to also teach "divine" or "intelligent design" to explain the origins of life. We would do well to consider what we are asking of science teachers. Instead of teaching theory or proven facts, science teachers would be asked to also referee religious questions. Suffice it to say, this debate would not be taking place in France.
This is a dangerous path to travel. A teacher who insists on sticking to the facts runs the risk of being labeled as "godless." A teacher who espouses a particular religious or ideological point of view may be attacked for excluding the beliefs or non-beliefs of others. We're talking full employment for constitutional law experts.
Comments
- Atlantis set for launch 9:54 a.m.
- L.A. pushes to get repaid 9:50 a.m.
- Vitamin D deficiency puts U.S. at risk 9:48 a.m.
- Suntech plans Phoenix-area plant 9:43 a.m.
- Stocks jump as retail sales rebound 9:40 a.m.
- CBS launching turn-of-decade project 9:37 a.m.
- Iran's Russian reactor startup delayed 9:34 a.m.
- 13 bodies found west of Baghdad 9:30 a.m.
- Court rejects book banning case 9:27 a.m.
- Fed cracks down on gift card abuses 9:24 a.m.
- Apostle's wife felt comfort in attack
- MWC expand? Get rid of deadweight
- TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
- Bennett at center of GOP storm
- Win in New Mexico good for Y?
- BYU happy to escape with victory
- TCU creams U.
- Relieved Cougs prep for Falcons
- RSL heads to MLS title game
- Jazz rookies had to grow up quickly
- BYU happy to escape with victory
231 - TCU creams U.
229 - Editorial: Mormons and gay rights
207 - Will state consider gay rights law?
150 - Can BYU root for (ick) Utah Utes?
131 - RSL heads to MLS title game
130 - Utes remain silent about BCS
120 - Celtics crush Jazz
104 - TCU stays 4th in AP; Y. 19th, U. 23rd
103 - 3A: Hurricane advances to title game
89
Maybe someone out there can help me understand how raising the state...
We are inflicting this same terrible suffering on others in the middle east a...
I am a Bronco fan and I'm not sure if some of these posts are really made by...
Since 2/3 of all sexual abuse happens in the home with a relative or family...
Thank you SO MUCH for calling BYU overrated and vulnerable! I hope the team...
If they back "him" they back the wrong person. I think itis "her" they are...
I think the Danes are the smartest people on earth. I wish we could import...
has been intervening in the Mideast since the formation of Israel in the late...
Because we have big time college football being played in this state, un-like...
Dear Looking at Jokers, Please check the national rankings for...
is that they are loyal to their players. They pay players for what they have...


You can be the first to comment on this story.