LGP Political Discussion Thread - Latest news at top

[Rylan]

I agree TR. But, if you start making a class solely about religion you allow for the chances of bias. Perhaps a project for one thing takes a long time, while the project or unit for another takes less time. These biases are not intentional but nonetheless prevalent and can lead to accidental promotion or hiding a certain topic. That is all.

[MWB]

I agree TR. But, if you start making a class solely about religion you allow for the chances of bias. Perhaps a project for one thing takes a long time, while the project or unit for another takes less time. These biases are not intentional but nonetheless prevalent and can lead to accidental promotion or hiding a certain topic. That is all.

Spending a little more time on one thing over another isn't necessarily a bias.

I'm interested to see if Common Core Standards will have a focus on various religions. I think they will. If so, the scope will be pretty well defined and the type of variance you're taking about more limited.

[Rylan]

Hmmmm, if the class is well-structured and well-defined I am more open to the idea of it. But, if there are numerous areas open to teacher discretion I have an issue with that. Now that issue may be my own fabrication, but it nevertheless makes me nervous.

MWB you are (were?) a teacher no? This is your area of expertise.

[MWB]

I am a fifth grade teacher. Haven't taught high school or a class like this, so don't have any direct experience with this topic. I think you're right to be concerned about a teacher's personal bias entering into something like this, but I don't think it would be an issue with the overwhelming majority of teachers. Whenever a touchy or possibly controversial topic comes up in my class I'm very cognizant of being neutral and presenting information in an unbiased way. Doesn't happen as much in fifth grade as high school, but there are still times.

[steelhammer]

I would be more supportive of the comparative religions class if they spent the time pointing out all of the contradictions, historical inaccuracies, physical impossibilities, etc. that each presents on even a cursory examination. The idea that creationism should be given the same weight as evolution in any public classroom is an embarrassment and an insult to our collective intelligence as human beings. Why stop at evolution when pretending that we really don't know relatively simple subjects? Perhaps we could give Phillip Morris' view equal weight when talking about the dangers of smoking and let the kids decide? Economics from Enron's perspective. Sex ed. with Pat Robertson.

[Rylan]

No steelhammer. Just because you are an atheist does not mean everyone is. Since both creationism and evolution are pretty much the view points of the US they should be talked about. And to that end, what practical use do either have in the modern world? Schools are not to impose viewpoints on the youth; they are to educate the youth on the world around them.

[MWB]

If you separate religion from science, I don't see it as a problem. One class, many different religions, what they are, their history. That is different from how science is presented.

[Rylan]

For many, science and religion can not be separated.

[MWB]

For many, science and religion can not be separated.

In a school it is and needs to be.

[Rylan]

I see what you mean. I had a brain-letdown when reading your reply.

It was how steelhammer wrote his reply that rubbed me the wrong way. Seemed to absolutely rip those that have the belief of creationism over evolution. I find that unfair.

[PensFanInDC]

The last few pages gave been awesome. A true example of freedom of religion.

[Ossa]

I would be more supportive of the comparative religions class if they spent the time pointing out all of the contradictions, historical inaccuracies, physical impossibilities, etc. that each presents on even a cursory examination.

A religion class you are proposing might work out well in college, but couldn't stand a chance in high school. Teacher's bias would be out the wazoo.

[MRandall25]

I see what you mean. I had a brain-letdown when reading your reply.

It was how steelhammer wrote his reply that rubbed me the wrong way. Seemed to absolutely rip those that have the belief of creationism over evolution. I find that unfair.

Wouldn't be the first time ITT tonight.

[Gaucho]

I have a hard time accepting both creationism and evolution as equally acceptable "viewpoints". So there.

[Rylan]

Well, Gaucho when roughly half of America believes it that makes it an equal viewpoint. For Americans at least.

[Gaucho]

I said equally acceptable.

/topic?

[Rylan]

I know. Believe me, I am in 100% agreement with you.

[ulf]

I would be more supportive of the comparative religions class if they spent the time pointing out all of the contradictions, historical inaccuracies, physical impossibilities, etc. that each presents on even a cursory examination.

A religion class you are proposing might work out well in college, but couldn't stand a chance in high school. Teacher's bias would be out the wazoo.

Huh? Why would college professors have less bias than high school teachers? I had world cultures freshman year of high school, we learned about all the religions. I'm sure they know if they come off as preachy or bias that it's a lawsuit waiting to happen.


Edit: nvm, i read the original quote wrong. He wasn't talking about normal world cultures classes.

[columbia]

I'm finally remembering why I never had a world cultures class in HS: that was in 9th grade in my district and I went to Catholic school that year.

I did get an A in my Old Testament class, that year, however.

[Troy Loney]

I'm finally remembering why I never had a world cultures class in HS: that was in 9th grade in my district and I went to Catholic school that year.

I did get an A in my Old Testament class, that year, however.

Did they have the Humanities class when you were there?

[columbia]

That was the senior year AP class?
I definitely took AP European History in 10th grade and AP American History in 11th.

[Troy Loney]

No that was an elective, basically an honors social sciences class.

[Geezer]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/11/22/no ... -cemetery/
Not that such Dbags are worthy of a second thought but I marvel at her explanation that "they never meant any disrespect towards those who served our country". That's like p*ssing on some of the graves and saying you were watering the grass.
People have the right do what they want because of free speech free speech in this country. The attempt to weasel their way out of their expression is almost as offensive as their message.

[Tico Rick]

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2012/11/22/nonprofit-worker-fired-after-photo-scandal-at-arlington-national-cemetery/
Not that such Dbags are worthy of a second thought but I marvel at her explanation that "they never meant any disrespect towards those who served our country". That's like p*ssing on some of the graves and saying you were watering the grass.
People have the right do what they want because of free speech free speech in this country. The attempt to weasel their way out of their expression is almost as offensive as their message.

I'm not sure what was more stupid: 1) thinking the idea was funny, 2) deciding to take a photo of it, or 3) deciding to post it on Facebook.

[Gaucho]

The cool thing about stupid people is their propensity to brag about - and record - their stupidity.