I was, earlier today, reading Joel’s thoughts on homeschooling and evolution. He handled the issue much more fairly than many liberals, some of whom have said ironically that allowing the Creation Museum to continue to exist threatens free speech (!). He has simply stated that children should be allowed to look at multiple viewpoints, which I, with him, believe is necessary, especially if you’re going to raise them believing in a view of history to which they will find opposition in the classroom, in the university, on television, in the newspapers, in museums, in chats with friends, etc. Leaving kids utterly unexposed to evolutionist ideas will cripple their ability to think about the issue and leave them in trouble in the outside world, possibly leading them toward a snap rejection of Christianity when they suddenly find scientists teaching against what their parents say the Bible clearly states.
And so in the interests of exposing everyone to multiple viewpoints, I’d like to expose you all to this debate between Brown University Biology teacher Kenneth Miller and Law Professor/Intelligent Design advocate Phillip Johnson. In my opinion there was too little discussion for a clear winner of the debate to be chosen, but if I had to say who appeared to be presenting a stronger case I’d have to go with Johnson, although that conclusion may be influenced by my creationist background, Johnson’s flair for debate, or the fact that Johnson got the last word in. Although I’ve read a great deal of both creationist and evolutionist literature, there is a certain improved perspective one gets by seeing two leaders in a particular opinion go head to head. So if any of you would like to send me a link to any debating you’ve found particularly interesting, regardless of what the outcome looked like, I’d be happy to post it here.
2 Comments
‘many Liberals’??
Mitchell, I have learned that one thing which separates me from ‘many Liberals’ is that I think that parental responsibility triumphs EVERYTHING. Parents cannot neglect or abuse, etc…. but it is not just their right, but their responsibility to care and nurture their children. I dare a teacher or a principle to attempt to think that they can attempt to tell me what is best for my children, if it conflicts with my belief.
But, great article, Mitchell.
Many liberals.
The current terminology of politics is horrifically inadequate. I myself come closer to classical liberalism than probably any Democratic Congressman out there, but I’m far from a modern liberal, and despite the fact that people would call me ultra-conservative, there certain major differences between my thinking and Republican thinking. What I should have said instead is that many people who would tend to vote Democratic handle homeschooling in a very harsh and unfair way. Not that the right doesn’t do its own share of ridiculous criticism of people.
I’m absolutely with you on parental responsibility. Childhood is a temporary period, and during it parents face a great deal of complex issues with their children. I’d say let them teach as they see fit, and then hopefully adulthood will allow the children to sort things out better if they choose too. Of course, there are certainly going to be problems with this sort of thing, but I’m more than willing to take those problems over the horrifying thought of central dictation of thought from some government beaurocrats, even beaurocrats who otherwise share my worldview.
The parent is the primary and highest authority in raising his/her own children. Anything else is an assault on the basic instititution of the family.