Banning Tolkien, some questions - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Cazoz · 05-04-2003, 10:47 PM

I wouldn't say irrational, more naive. Call me an idealist eh?

On the Creationism thing, this interests me because, as has already been mentioned, schools are very different over this side of the pond. (I'm in Melbourne currently, but let's pretend I'm at home.) [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img]

I presume there will be a correlation between schools where Creationism is taught and the religious/ethnic make-up of those states/areas. Lalaith mentioned Kansas for example, where I again would presume the majority are overwhelmingly Anglo-Saxon Protestants. But I wonder, how do non-Christian kids accept the fact that Creationism is being taught as definitive? And I take it that Creationism isn't taught in public schools in larger, more multi-cultural cities?

Do atheist/Jewish/Asian/Muslim etc... parents not have objections to this? I suppose these would be the same objections Christians have to evolution. But in these areas, surely non-Christians are in the severe minority. And I suppose there would be greater apathy amongst atheists than Christians, you guys can be outspoken to the point of militancy! Look at the home schooling phenomenon.

I love the parallels between the two countries. Closest allies and yet worlds apart. And American culture has diverged so much from British culture in comparison to those of Australia or New Zealand. But I guess you weren't a colony and it was a good 100 years prior so I digress, I am going off on a tangent!

I don't mean to sound patronising or rude or facetious, but it kind of bemuses and almost amuses me, the thought of teaching Creationism in British state schools. I think Adam and Eve would get the same reactions as the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus if taught historically and not as part of religious studies, which (in state schools) covers all religions equally.

[ May 05, 2003: Message edited by: Cazoz ]

05-04-2003, 10:47 PM	#11
Cazoz Haunting Spirit Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: London, UK Posts: 71	I wouldn't say irrational, more naive. Call me an idealist eh? On the Creationism thing, this interests me because, as has already been mentioned, schools are very different over this side of the pond. (I'm in Melbourne currently, but let's pretend I'm at home.) [img]smilies/smile.gif[/img] I presume there will be a correlation between schools where Creationism is taught and the religious/ethnic make-up of those states/areas. Lalaith mentioned Kansas for example, where I again would presume the majority are overwhelmingly Anglo-Saxon Protestants. But I wonder, how do non-Christian kids accept the fact that Creationism is being taught as definitive? And I take it that Creationism isn't taught in public schools in larger, more multi-cultural cities? Do atheist/Jewish/Asian/Muslim etc... parents not have objections to this? I suppose these would be the same objections Christians have to evolution. But in these areas, surely non-Christians are in the severe minority. And I suppose there would be greater apathy amongst atheists than Christians, you guys can be outspoken to the point of militancy! Look at the home schooling phenomenon. I love the parallels between the two countries. Closest allies and yet worlds apart. And American culture has diverged so much from British culture in comparison to those of Australia or New Zealand. But I guess you weren't a colony and it was a good 100 years prior so I digress, I am going off on a tangent! I don't mean to sound patronising or rude or facetious, but it kind of bemuses and almost amuses me, the thought of teaching Creationism in British state schools. I think Adam and Eve would get the same reactions as the Easter Bunny or Santa Claus if taught historically and not as part of religious studies, which (in state schools) covers all religions equally. [ May 05, 2003: Message edited by: Cazoz ]