[Vision2020] Religious Diversity Education

[Ted Moffett]

Luke:

Students in the public schools recite a pledge NOW that states they are "one 
nation under God" right in the pledge of allegiance!  This reference to God 
was challenged in the courts, but this challenge so far has failed.

I know that in the subjects studied in public schools now, in literature, 
history and sociology or social studies classes, "God" is mentioned and 
discussed.  It would be impossible to teach literature, history and 
sociology with mentioning the subject of God and religion.  How could you 
teach history without mentioning the Pope and Catholic church?  How many 
poems and novels mention God?  Numerous.  Literature courses have passages 
in books that mention God.  And sociology courses will give the breakdown of 
religious faith in the USA, mostly Christian, with a few other faiths making 
up the rest.

And again I state, it is not taught in the public schools, now or at any 
time, that there is no God, unless by some teacher pushing their own agenda 
against the rules!

You are suggesting that the public schools have a policy of teaching 
Atheism, and that is just plain not true!

Ted

>From: "Luke" <lukenieuwsma@softhome.net>
>To: "Ted Moffett" <ted_moffett@hotmail.com>
>CC: "vision2020" <vision2020@moscow.com>
>Subject: Re: [Vision2020] Religious Diversity Education
>Date: Sat, 31 May 2003 07:40:16 -0700
>
>Hey, Ted,
>
> > It is easy for this point of view to lead to persecution of those who
> > believe different, and people of many different faiths, including
> > Christianity, have persecuted those of other faiths throuhout history, 
>and
> > continue to do so now.  I caution that to assert absolute certainty 
>about
> > your faith and deny the possibility that other faiths could be valid is 
>a
> > dangerous position that could lead to extremism.
>
>Well, if I believe that everyone should treat everyone better than himself
>because of Christ's sacrifice
>(which I do), then it would be hypocrisy to hound and force others into
>believing the same thing. Besides, history has proven that to be a very
>inaffective method of evangalism. A logical, honest Christian has no reason
>to use force to spread the gospel.
>
>Here is what I assert absolute certainty of.
>  1. All men are sinners.
>2. Christ died for the world.
>3. I am part of the world, and am forgiven by His grace.
>4. Ergo, I MUST live out my love to the people around me.
>
>
> > I was never taught in public schools that there is no God!  God was
> > mentioned in Literature class, in History class, in Sociology.  After 
>all,
> > belief in God is an important subject in literarture, history and
>sociology.
> >   Most of my classmates were church going Christians.  Yes, the public
> > schools do not advocate Christianity in the manner you might wish they 
>do,
> > but again I assure you I was never taught there is no God.  I never sat 
>in
> > any class and heard a teacher say "Class, today we are going to learn 
>why
> > there is no God."
>
>Well, same as with Mr. Arnold, you probably were in high school before the
>Supreme Court made prayer in a school a legal offense, before the Supreme
>court banned every single Bible from the public schools. Things have
>changed. You ought to talk to one of the modern highschool students, ask
>them what their science teacher told them about God.
>
>
> > Concerning evolution, God could very well make the universe and the 
>earth
> > and allow things to evolve as science indicates.
>
>Well, considering irreducible complexity and DNA, that's not what happened.
>
>Best,
>
>Luke Nieuwsma
>
>
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