Daily Press Article
I searched through the archives to find a copy of the article in the daily press which I had gotten published a while back. I meant to post when it was published but got distracted... but better late than never...
Science and creation
A highly debated concern in recent years has been whether creationism should be taught in science classes along with evolution. In general, creationism has come to be strictly associated with the Judeo-Christian creation stories. One, however, might easily identify around two dozen distinct major religions in the United States alone, most of which have their own creation myths.
It would be unconstitutional to teach only one, the Judeo- Christian version of creation, while excluding the rest. Furthermore, it would be impossible to be inclusive to all of them while still maintaining a science curriculum. To think that the Judeo-Christian myth will advance into science classes without the other religions expecting (and rightfully so) the same treatment is unrealistic.
I once took a class where all the creation myths were taught. That class was called ancient philosophy and it took all semester to teach.
Unless people are OK with their child or children graduating without the basic knowledge required for a college science class because that child had to learn which gods and goddesses descended from Zeus, let's keep the creation stories where they are.
John Buchwald
Yorktown
Science and creation
A highly debated concern in recent years has been whether creationism should be taught in science classes along with evolution. In general, creationism has come to be strictly associated with the Judeo-Christian creation stories. One, however, might easily identify around two dozen distinct major religions in the United States alone, most of which have their own creation myths.
It would be unconstitutional to teach only one, the Judeo- Christian version of creation, while excluding the rest. Furthermore, it would be impossible to be inclusive to all of them while still maintaining a science curriculum. To think that the Judeo-Christian myth will advance into science classes without the other religions expecting (and rightfully so) the same treatment is unrealistic.
I once took a class where all the creation myths were taught. That class was called ancient philosophy and it took all semester to teach.
Unless people are OK with their child or children graduating without the basic knowledge required for a college science class because that child had to learn which gods and goddesses descended from Zeus, let's keep the creation stories where they are.
John Buchwald
Yorktown