Your Tax Dollars Fund Creationism In Schools

[one...two...tree 2,762]

American tax dollars are funding the teaching of creationism in schools. An in-depth report by Politico’s Stephanie Simon reveals that taxpayers in 14 states are spending $1 billion to fund tuition for private schools, including hundreds of institutions that teach that God created the Earth and that biology and geology are full of lies.

While taxpayers don’t directly fund private schools, they do fund voucher programs that allow parents to spend public money on private schools that have virulently anti-science curricula. Voucher programs have long been a favored cause for the Christian right. And the Christian right is now having an impact on what kids are learning.

Simon reports that the “course materials nurture disdain of the secular world, distrust of momentous discoveries and hostility toward mainstream scientists.” They also “distort basic facts about the scientific method — teaching, for instance, that theories such as evolution are by definition highly speculative because they haven’t been elevated to the status of ‘scientific law.’”

One set of textbooks says that evolution is a “wicked and vain philosophy.” 250,000 students now take advantage of voucher programs--an increase of 30 percent from 2010.

The revelations come as 26 states are considering implementing or expanding the voucher programs that fund this type of education.

The seeds of such education have been planted by big money funders like the Koch brothers, whose Americans For Prosperity have worked to promote voucher programs.

The Supreme Court has ruled that voucher programs are constitutional as long as they give parents a choice as to where to send their kids. But the American Civil Liberties Union has filed lawsuits against voucher programs in New Hampshire and Colorado, arguing that they violate the separation of church and state.

“Taxpayer dollars are ending up in the coffers of religious schools, and they use that money to discriminate and indoctrinate,” the ACLU’s Heather Weaver told Politico.

http://www.alternet.org/print/news-amp-politics/your-tax-dollars-fund-creationism-schools

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The American Taliban is marching on.

[Danno 1,228]

He He he.

Danno winning.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

There's no win here. The kids are robbed of science and taxpayers are robbed of their money. Everyone is worse off and the country will continue to fall further behind. You seem to celebrate the demise of America. I don't hate her all that much.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Is our children learning?

On a positive note, had my kids never asked me about creationism I would have never had the chance to teach science to them.

I believe that by teaching it as school it will open the dialogue and will cause the kids to ask questions and learn about mythology and drugs and their effects on the mind. TMYK...

[Danno 1,228]

There's no win here. The kids are robbed of science and taxpayers are robbed of their money. Everyone is worse off and the country will continue to fall further behind. You seem to celebrate the demise of America. I don't hate her all that much.

Actually when we had bible reading in class our schools were the envy by most parts of the world.

In your mind, teaching children how to properly enjoy ####### sex is a good

Teaching kids the world has a Creator is crushing.

Is our children learning?

On a positive note, had my kids never asked me about creationism I would have never had the chance to teach science to them.

I believe that by teaching it as school it will open the dialogue and will cause the kids to ask questions and learn about mythology and drugs and their effects on the mind. TMYK...

Don't get too confident kids of Atheists have a very high defection rate.

[JohnR! 5,495]

Don't get too confident kids of Atheists have a very high defection rate.

I will ask an atheist if I ever meet one.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Actually when we had bible reading in class our schools were the envy by most parts of the world.

In your mind, teaching children how to properly enjoy ####### sex is a good

Teaching kids the world has a Creator is crushing.

False. As usual. What's at issue is that kids are taught myths not only instead of but actually as science. That's a problem. At no point was the American school system envied by the world for religious indoctrination taking the place of actual education. The American Taliban ought to direct their attention to Afghanistan for a moment to see where their brand of "education" leads.

[JohnR! 5,495]

1 - Actually when we had bible reading in class our schools were the envy by most parts of the world.

2 - In your mind, teaching children how to properly enjoy ####### sex is a good

3 - Teaching kids the world has a Creator is crushing.

1 - Wrong. How could the nation that put a man on the moon teach mythology to their children as though it were substantiated?

2 - Does god teach children to enjoy ####### sex?

3 - Teaching the world has a creator is not crushing. It is just a lie.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Actually when we had bible reading in class our schools were the envy by most parts of the world.

Oh, so when we had higher rates of taxation, our schools were the envy "by most parts of the world" [sic]. Interesting! Do you remember the maxim "correlation is not causation"? I learned that in a school where there was chapel, but attendance was not mandatory, and where religion was taught in the context of literature and anthropology. I gained a very good grasp of grammar from my years at that school as well.

In your mind, teaching children how to properly enjoy ####### sex is a good

Is a good what? Don't leave us with bated breath?

Teaching kids the world has a Creator is crushing.

When that is the only manner of instruction about the creation of the universe, it is unconstitutional in a public school. I love the Constitution, personally. This case may be interesting to read: http://supreme.justia.com/cases/federal/us/482/578/case.html

Don't get too confident kids of Atheists have a very high defection rate.

All the children of atheists (note: why in bold?) that I know are still non-believers, myself included. My parents encouraged me to explore religion as a child, and I went to church for four years. At the end, I discovered I just didn't believe in any higher power. I did enjoy learning about the Bible, and it gave me a great introduction to one of the most influential works of literature in the world.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Those who think that this is good - are you okay with other religion-based charter schools? How about a satanic charter school?

[mota bhai 2,675]

I have no issues with tax dollars being spent in a way that reflects the priorities of taxpayers.

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

I have no issues with tax dollars being spent in a way that reflects the priorities of taxpayers.

So if taxpayers vote to pass a tax to fund the church then you won't have an issue with that?

[JohnR! 5,495]

Those who think that this is good - are you okay with other religion-based charter schools? How about a satanic charter school?

You wouldn't be able to tell the difference.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I have no issues with tax dollars being spent in a way that reflects the priorities of taxpayers.

Separation of church and state.