Church, Politics and State Education Systems

[TantricSoul]

http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/03...teach-history/

What do people think of this decision?

This decision? "The Texas Board of Education voted last Friday to add conservative values and historical interpretations to the statewide social studies curriculum."

I think someone has been injecting the cattle with way too many growth hormones down in Texas. I also think this wont play out as it may seem. The makeup of the Texas Board of Education has changed since this process began and will change further before any actual textbooks are produced. Since said textbooks need to be approved by the board, I expect Texans will be presented with a textbook far less "interpretive" than the imaginary one in the article.

Do they think the fictional textbook is accurate and supports intelligent discourse and learning?

No it is obviously not accurate, however, yes it could be used to support intelligent discourse and learning ... in a Critical Thinking class.

In general how do people feel about Glorifying McCarthyism.

About the same as I feel about glorifying the Salem Witch trials. Oh yes by all means lets put our ignorance and intolerance on display to the world, once again.

Do people feel questions that are leading and potentially have a political agenda to them are acceptable in high school textbooks?

No. However I accept the reality that regardless of how I feel it will be done anyway.

I also accept my responsibility as a parent to teach my children how to think and feel on their own. Nerdy as it may seem, we sometimes play a game where the goal is to identify Logical Fallacies, Propaganda Devices, and "name that os" (as in Pathos, Ethos, and Logos) when watching TV, discussing a paper, article, or reading ...etc.

Religion and Politics when inserted into the educational system harm us all. It really doesn't matter which viewpoints (lib/con, believer/nonbeliever) either. Both organizations are incredibly efficient at reducing and polarizing topics down to two possible viewpoints. There is more than just two possibilities and points of view in this reality. Its saddening that so many people likely will only ever see two, and only one "clearly" (maybe not even that).

Respectfully,
TS

[Thorne]

Religion and Politics when inserted into the educational system harm us all. It really doesn't matter which viewpoints (lib/con, believer/nonbeliever) either. Both organizations are incredibly efficient at reducing and polarizing topics down to two possible viewpoints. There is more than just two possibilities and points of view in this reality. Its saddening that so many people likely will only ever see two, and only one "clearly" (maybe not even that).

Well said! This just further reinforces the (admittedly idealistic) need to eliminate political parties completely. Let individuals run on their own merits, and live or die (politically speaking) on their own actions.

Yeah, like THAT will ever happen!

[DuncanONeil]

The issue is not about "glorifying McCarthy" But about if democracy has a right to challenge communism.
I do subscribe to you can believe as you will but I also believe that the priniciples of the nation are not compatible with communism.

Religion and Politics when inserted into the educational system harm us all. It really doesn't matter which viewpoints (lib/con, believer/nonbeliever) either. Both organizations are incredibly efficient at reducing and polarizing topics down to two possible viewpoints. There is more than just two possibilities and points of view in this reality. Its saddening that so many people likely will only ever see two, and only one "clearly" (maybe not even that).

Respectfully,
TS

[steelish]

Religion and Politics when inserted into the educational system harm us all. It really doesn't matter which viewpoints (lib/con, believer/nonbeliever) either. Both organizations are incredibly efficient at reducing and polarizing topics down to two possible viewpoints. There is more than just two possibilities and points of view in this reality. Its saddening that so many people likely will only ever see two, and only one "clearly" (maybe not even that).

Respectfully,
TS

Actually, separation of the church and state was to protect the church from our government...not the other way around. Religion (no matter WHAT religion) was at one time a very large part of the educational system. Not that they taught religion, but they did begin each morning with the pledge of allegience. They did allow kids to pray in school. They did allow ALL kids to observe their own religious beliefs without interferring with the religious beliefs of others.

This has been twisted and twisted into "separation of church and state" until any hint of religion has been banned from the schools and it seems as if it is now out of the government too.

America is a land in which it doesn't matter what religion you are or aren't. Unfortunately, all that is changing. The government is now infiltrating the churches.