quote:
Originally posted by Bill Gray:
Hi Mean,
You say, "Creationism is not science and should not be taught in a science class. That is factually obvious."
That is true. Creationism is history; it is the history of God's creating the heavens and the earth -- and all that these contain. Part of that creation was the different laws which define all aspects of science. Therefore, science is a part of the creation of God; and a subset of all knowledge. Let it be taught that way. No one is saying that we should replace the teaching of science in our schools; just that we keep it in it proper perspective. In the creation, God set the stars in the heaven -- precisely where He wanted them; He set the sun, moon, and earth precisely where He wanted them. He set the waters and the land precisely where He wanted it. And, He created animals and man precisely as He wanted them. Put all that together with the specific laws which govern these bodies -- and you have science. Is this so wrong to teach to kids in our schools?
Then, you say, "Since Jindal is a Catholic, do you think Christianity should be taught from a Catholic perspective?"
No, we do not teach Creation as Catholic, nor Protestant. We do not teach it as Baptist, nor Methodist, nor any other denomination. We should teach it strictly from the Bible, the sole authority on all issues of God and Creation. We look to the Bible as the sole authority on all things moral and spiritual. Being a believer is not being Catholic, nor Baptist, nor Methodists -- nor any other denomination. There is only one thing which determines a believer. John 3:3 tells us, ". . .unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." How does one become born again? Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast."
And, Jesus assures us in John 6:47, "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life."
You will notice that Jesus did not say, "He who is Catholic, or Baptist, or Methodist, and believes has eternal life." No, it is HE (all who by grace through faith) believe has eternal life.
The church is made up of Christian believers; not Catholic, or Baptist, or Methodist believers -- only Christian believers -- those who have been born again.
And, Revelation 3:20 assures us, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if ANYONE hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me."
So, to answer your question, ". . .do you think Christianity should be taught from a Catholic perspective?"
No, it should be taught from the Bible perspective -- from the complete Bible perspective; not a Bible which has been selectively edited to delete or overlook Scriptural passages which might make some uncomfortable. Teach the Bible, the whole Bible, and let it speak for itself.
When America was founded, the Bible was distributed throughout the Thirteen Colonies by Congress for its moral teaching and guidance of the people. When our first schools were established; the Bible was used as a text book, to teach reading and Biblical history, along with positive moral values. This was so in our elementary schools and in our institutions of higher learning. Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and all the other early schools were founded as Christian universities for the purpose of raising up pastors and Scripturally knowledgeable leaders. The Bible was not excluded; but was a major text book in all those schools.
If you will notice; America has in this last century gradually eliminated the Bible and God from our educational institutions -- and America has declined accordingly in our moral values. We have an epidemic of drive by shootings, teen pregnancies, teen STDs, and teen crimes -- that was not seen in previous generations. There is definitely a cause and effect to be seen here.
And, I can promise you that if America will invite God and the Bible back into our schools, it will not take very many generations to see a positive change in the moral and spiritual climate in America -- and, I am convinced that we would see America return to the successful and glorious nation we have been in the past.
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
Bill,
Creationism is not science. Evolution is scientific theory. The worlds religions are and should be taught about and discussed in several different classes in most of the nations school systems. Just not as a science.
The Bible IS in schools all over this nation. School age kids are allowed to bring Bibles to school, participate in Christian clubs, study groups and prayer on school property just as ALL religions are allowed the same freedom. There is no state sanctioned compulsory prayer, or enforced belief and there should not be. As I have stated, I do not want an Evangelical teaching my children from their religious perspective. My children are and have been active in church all their lives. They have spent 11 summers at camp McDowell, participated in our church in every youth oriented class available, worked with Habitat, and several other activities outside and inside school. I encouraged it, and helped facilitate it in every way possible. It is MY responsibility and the responsibility of our church to teach my children about religion. It is not the responsibility of the public school system.
Your claim about violence in schools being directly linked to the supposed removal of "God and the Bible" from schools, is not exactly accurate. The level of violence in schools actually follows the level of violence in the nation in general. It also reflects a lack of engagement between parents and children. This is reflected in many aspects of our culture. Instead of blaming violence on what the school system is not doing, I would blame it on parents who are not doing their job. Since above 80% of Americans believe in some form of "Creator" and practice religion on a fairly regular basis, it is not the fault of schools, but instead it is the fault of the home in translating the principles of their belief to their children. My children associate with all different kinds of children at school ( got one in college now at Sewanee ). Most of the kids I have encountered are partipating in church, and were raised as Christians. There are a few Jews in the mix, and a very few non-believers, one Hindu and several involved in Eastern religions.
Wiki has an interesting amount of information on this issue and its history from a legal perspective.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creation_and_evolution_in_public_educationStrangely enough, America has a much higher rate of church attendance than most other Western nations ( with the exceptions of Ireland, Italy, Puerto Rico, Poland and Mexico ), yet we have a very high rate of violence (murder in particular). Poland, and Mexico where church attendance is higher than in the United States actually has a higher murder rate than the U.S. Using your theory, nations with higher church attendance produce more murderers per capita than do those with lower church attendance.
http://www.nationmaster.com/graph/cri_mur_percap-crime-murders-per-capita