Why can't we get a straight answer?

Well Best I for one don't want creation taught as anything except a theory at most. Maybe not even taught but mentioned perhaps. You and I have gone back and forth a few times but believe me I don't want religious instruction entering into public schools. As you pointed out there is more than one opinion on creation and some find nothing contradictory to evolution in creation. I must have missed something who is pushing for creation to be taught and where?

. I must have missed something who is pushing for creation to be taught and where?

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On this forum you have bill and gb, plus a few more over time that think it should be taught in schools. And all over the web you can see the push for it.

My bad I thought there was a specific politician or public figure pushing it. I thought I had missed a news item.

Well actually there are politicians that want that. My point-the ones that argue they want it taught, and it comes up all the time, can't tell us how they would decide which story of creation they want taught, and to what degree. Like I said, do they want it taught as truth, myth or theory?

The Christians see their Christianity as the only religion, & if you don't agree, then you go to Hell. If people want their belief taught to their children, let them teach it at home.

Can you imagine the fight it would be if all the beliefs were allowed to be taught in school? 

Kinda along this line may I recommend a fine book entitled Summer for the Gods by Edward Larson. Its an very good account of the Scopes trial of 1925 which featured Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan arguing over a Tennessee law which outlawed teaching evolution. If you are like me and what you about this event mainly comes from Inherit the Wind you will want to check it out.

Hi Jennifer,

Simple answer.  We do NOT want religion taught in our public schools.  And, we do not want Christianity, per se, taught in our public schools.  What we want taught in our public schools is that the theory of Creation be taught alongside the theory of Darwinian evolution.  We want the teachers to not teach that one or the other is right or wrong -- just teach the facts and allow the students to decide which they will believe. 

In other words, if both theories are taught equally -- and the question appears on a test regarding which is the correct theory; no one should be considered wrong -- regardless of his/her answer.

This is what we Christian would like to see in our public schools today -- and we have no fear of the two theories being taught side by side.  If we have no objection -- why should the atheists be so afraid of it that even the mention causes them to wet their pants?  What are the atheist afraid of -- the truth winning?

So, Jennifer, this is your answer -- sweet, simple, and truthful.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

The "theory of creation" is religion.  Can't have it both ways, Bill.  Will Sunday School teachers be teaching evolution alongside Creationism, not teaching that one or the other is right or wrong?

Note that not all Christians want Creationism taught in school, only the religious fundamentalists.  The fundies, whether they are "Christian" or Muslim or Jewish or whatever want to see their version of the "truth" be the State supported truth.

So, Jennifer, this is your answer -- sweet, simple, and truthful.

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You not only didn't answer the questions bill, you didn't come close to answering them. The question was "whose story of creation do you want taught", along with other questions on the chance you'd answer that one.  All you did was prove my point once more, we can never get a straight answer. I don't think I'd talk about people "wetting their pants" if I were you. I don't think some of the old fundies have had a dry depends in a long long time. 

Bill, when it comes to religon there is no purvasive "sweet, simple, and truthful."  You, as an individual, decide what is "sweet, simple, and truthful".  I would hope that it remains that way.  I would not want to be told by someone else what is "sweet, simple, and truthful" as it pertains to my personal life.

First, when you say "religion" my mind relates to the world religions which are man-made and revolve around man-made traditions, rituals, dogmas, laws, etc.  This is why Jesus Christ was so hard on the Pharisees -- they were controlling the people with their man-made traditions and laws.

Christianity is truly "sweet, simple, and truthful" -- for it is simply a personal relationship, a very personal relationship, with Jesus Christ.  Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, "For by grace (the grace of God) you are saved through faith (faith in the atoning sacrifice and love of Jesus Christ)."  It continues by telling us, "You cannot get salvation through your own works.  Salvation, eternal life in Christ, is a free gift from God to all who will believe and receive it."   

Do I, or any other Christian, decide what is the truth of the Bible?  No, we study God's Word, we study what others have found in God's Word, for guidance -- and we depend upon the Holy Spirit to guide us in all things which pertain to God.  That includes understanding His Written Word, the Bible.

In Acts 17:11, God speaking through the apostle Paul, tells us to test the teachings of all of our teachers (pastors, professors, theologians, scholars, leaders, etc.) against the only true measure -- the Bible.  You may have heard the saying, "The Bible interprets the Bible" -- and this is true.  If one will spend enough time studying God's Word, the truth WILL be revealed.   Some truths may come quickly -- others may take a lot of study.  But, it will happen.  I could share a number of incidents where this has happened in my Christian life and Bible study.

Yes, we find many people having different interpretations of the Bible.  That is why we, unfortunately, have so many different denominations.  However, even though Christians can come to different understandings and interpretations of Scripture -- there are some Christian Beliefs on which we cannot compromise, some which are not negotiable.  These we call the Essential Christian Beliefs.  These are:

1. The Deity of Jesus Christ -- God incarnate -- fully a man; yet, fully God.
2. The Trinity -- God eternally existing; manifested (revealed) in three persons: Father, Son, Holy Spirit.
3.  The Bible -- Is the inspired Written Word of God and is the sole authority for Christian faith, salvation, and our Christian life.
4. Salvation by Grace -- By grace you are saved, through faith in Jesus Christ -- plus nothing else.
5. The Resurrection of Christ -- He rose from the dead, that we may also be resurrected into eternal life.
6. The Gospel -- The birth, death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ according to Scripture.

And, I personally would add:

7.  Heaven and Hell -- Both are real places and are the only two eternal destinations available to all mankind.

If Christians believe, follow, and teach these Essential Christian Beliefs -- we can enjoy discussing all the other Biblical issues and growing in knowledge of God's Written Word.  For these other issues do not affect our eternal salvation.

So, to answer Jennifer's original question -- there is only one true story of Creation and it is found in Genesis, beginning with, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth" (Genesis 1:1).

Yes, there are many pagan stories which attempt to emulate this -- just as there are many world religions which are false.  Jennifer asks which Creation story should be shared in our public schools.  Well, considering that America was founded upon Biblical principles -- I suggest we stick to the Biblical story of Creation.

Of course, Jennifer will argue with this -- for she is like the young child who likes to play in the mud -- always attempting to muddy any truths which she cannot understand.

God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,

Bill

Heh. Ya let one in-Ya gotta let 'em ALL in...

To do otherwise would be discriminatory...

Love it!

Religion should never be taught in schools.  Period.

Notions which fly in the face of established science should never be taught in the schools.  Period.

EXCEPT

Remember, all of todays advanced science was at one time considered false.  Concepts we take for granted today were once new and strange ideas. 

Let us be careful not to disallow new ideas, else we end up as constricted as those who would teach creationism.

I would not be surprised at all if our grandchildren look back with the same amusement upon some of our cherished scientific facts in a manner similar to how todays rational adults view the teaching of creationism. 

I would not be surprised at all if our grandchildren look back with the same amusement upon some of our cherished scientific facts in a manner similar to how todays rational adults view the teaching of creationism.

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The difference-Science isn't afraid to "say" it changes, advances, tosses out/revamps theories when new evidence is found, and is constantly searching as to the why and how of things. (Trial and error) The creationists say, "gawd did it" and view scientists as people trying to "prove" their gawd doesn't exist. 

Sad but true.

Truely sad because true religion has no fear of scientific advancement.