Palin in Comparison: Creationism Should be Taught as Science?? REALLY??

I've got to hand it to John McCain. His selection of Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate was a stunning choice.

I don't mean that in terms of her obvious attractiveness, but in how stunned most of us progressives are at her lack of experience, especially given the arguments McCain and his supporters have put forward about our candidate's time on the national political stage.

But after four years in the Senate and 19 months of campaigning for national office, the record and positions of Barack Obama are very well known. Running mate Joe Biden is even more familiar to the American public.

But Palin's 22 months as Governor of Alaska has given pause to progressives as we try to figure out exactly what this woman stands for. I bet Senator McCain and his people are having a great time watching us dig for background information and come up with... very little.

We know Palin is a lifelong member of the NRA, a friend of Alaska's oil industry and vehemently opposes Roe v. Wade. And that's about it... save for this one little tidbit that caught my eye - She favors teaching creationism alongside evolution in public schools.

"I am a proponent of teaching both. And you know, I say this too as the daughter of a science teacher. Growing up with being so privileged and blessed to be given a lot of information on, on both sides of the subject -- creationism and evolution. It's been a healthy foundation for me. But don't be afraid of information and let kids debate both sides."

Seriously?? In an era when American students are losing ground to the world in science and math, when U.S. teachers are racing against a tightly controlled clock every school day just to drill their kids in reading and basic arithmetic and comply with the regulations of No Child Left Behind... Sarah Palin thinks it's a great idea to introduce religion into the classroom and call it science?

She may be a big proponent of the 2nd Amendment, but she doesn't appear to give a hoot about the one that precedes it.

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.

I see the idea of teaching creationism alongside evolution as a back door way of sneaking prayer back into our public schools.

My great-grandparents on my dad's side emigrated to this country 120 years ago to escape religious persecution. My maternal ancestors were victims of the Spanish Inquisition, and settled in Turkey rather than give up their Jewish religion.

The First Amendment is very important to me. It says that I am not a second-class citizen just because I don't go to the same church as the majority of the population. I can worship God - or not worship - the way I please. No one can impose her religion on me. And I wouldn't dream of imposing mine on anyone else.

At 52 years old, I can remember a time when public school teachers led their classes in prayer. We used coloring books that illustrated Bible stories and performed in Christmas plays. I was the only non-Christian in my first grade, and these exercises made me feel like I was doing something bad. I really was afraid that God was going to strike me down because I was praying to someone else. I wasn't sophisticated enough to understand that God would forgive me for singing that Christ was my Lord.

Sarah Palin and the religious right that's championing her candidacy would like to see a return to those days. I've heard them say that no one would be forced to participate in prayer; that children from non-Christian families can choose their own prayers, or that atheists could be excused.

But school doesn't work that way. Kids want to fit in. They do not want to call attention to the things that make them different.

How would Sarah Palin feel if her public schools forced her kids to sing the Shema? Or if they were made to pray to Allah? Or if their science class kicked off with a discussion of how Brahma created the universe with the help of a giant cobra?

I have no argument with teaching Genesis to our children, even those who are not of the Judeo-Christian tradition - because it's a necessary component to their cultural literacy. But don't call it science, and don't give it equal weight with established scientific theory.

And while you're at it, acknowledge the creation traditions of the other faiths your school population represents. I am Jewish, and my daughter's classmates include Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, a Druze and a Zoroastrian.

But then again, I live in multi-ethnic Los Angeles. Sarah Palin's home town of Wasilla, Alaska is probably not all that diverse.

She may want to brush up on the population of the lower 48 states (and beautiful Hawaii) before she assumes a national office. And she might want to talk to that science teacher parent about taking a refresher course.

Donna Schwartz Mills writes about education in Los Angeles and other issues at her personal blog, SoCal Mom.

Comments

[Victoria]

"Kids want to fit in. They do not want to call attention to the things that make them different."

So all kids should wear uniforms and no child should be given individualized education whether it's special needs or gifted. Got it. That knife cuts both ways. Also, let's move back to segregation so that kids don't have to put up with all that embarrassing nastiness of going to school with white kids or girls.

I'd like to think better of my own kids.

Again, Palin has been misquoted on this site and I was the one taken to task for political hyperbole.

I'll tell you that this stuff is already coming up in the public schools around here and it's coming from the kids, not the teachers. I thank Socrates that my kids aren't being told, "We can't talk about that here in science class." I like that our public school takes an approach that shows how different subjects are all inter-related in some way. I'm an unschooler at heart. I can't stand "Sorry kids, you have to wait until the bell rings at 1:15 to talk about philosophy or math or language arts."

[Alysa]

I think you hit the nail on the head. Back when I was in high school biology (admittedly six years ago) I thought the issue of religion in science class was appropriately addressed by my teacher. It was explained that there are lots of different creation beliefs and that we in America have the freedom to believe anything we want. But we were to study evolution because of the huge impact it has had on science as a whole. No one was discounted and everyone felt respected. There. Is that really so hard?
Granted, I grew up in the Silicon Valley where the diversity is remarkable.

This passage rang very true to me:
"How would Sarah Palin feel if her public schools forced her kids to sing the Shema? Or if they were made to pray to Allah? Or if their science class kicked off with a discussion of how Brahma created the universe with the help of a giant cobra?"
There would be absolute, utter chaos. And people who are of the opinion of Palin must consider this view, no matter how Jeudo-Christian their area is. Because there are places like the Silicon Valley or SoCal where this idea serves only to impose the idea that Genesis is more valid then others.

[Marissa]

The issue has been resoundly (by that i mean unanimously) rejected as being unconstitutional. Whether it be called "creationism" or "intelligent design," no court has allowed the teaching to continue in public schools.

[SacramentoBlog]

I think Palin somehow got confused... there are not "both" sides of this issue. Science is science, religion is religion. If you get into religion in science class, you have to teach hundreds of sides. I've taught in a classroom with at least five major world religions all represented in a group of 24 kids. It's hard enough to teach history and get them to all come to somewhat of a consensus on what the history is.

Do we really want our courts clogged up with every religion, big and small, fighting to be included in the classroom? Ridiculous. If you want your child to have a religious education, that's your job at home, in church, in carpool, whatever. Science is for science class.

[Beth B.]

really good points...I have also been concerned with the idea to introduce religion into the classroom and call it science! This is so scary, hey - we have been over this many times... Let's not go back to the dark ages... But i guess that is what Palin wants!

[Daisy]

Let's not even bring up the theory of Intelligent Design - it's not intelligent, and it's not a design. It is Creationism. Darwin's theories have been proven over and over. Science is science: religion is religion.

[Kaza]

As someone who teaches evolution, and who begins with a lecture explaining what makes a theory scientific vs. not, I find myself continually dumbfounded by the argument that "creation science" (which is an oxymoron, as the late great Stephen Jay Gould noted in his piece on the subject) should be taught ALONGSIDE evolution in SCIENCE classes. Gaaaahhhh!

[Lawyer Mama]

Could someone please explain to me how on earth Victoria could ever have supported Hillary Clinton? Because she seems to be defending every tenet of Religious Right Dogma all over this blog. Frankly, HRC would be appalled.

[Victoria]

Your reading skills are appalling. Several times it's been stated that you all are only providing a half quote and then going to town on it. And you all call yourself elite thinkers? I just don't get it. I don't get why the fear of thinking critically and looking at the truth of what the original quote was.

Of course, Obama would not be appalled. He has a long history of using half truths and attacking based on half quotes as documented by Factcheck.org.

[kirsten]

I agree with SacramentoBlog I think if you want your child to be taught a christian based religion then you should have them sent to a school that teaches that faith, there are plenty out there. I mean if you feel that strongly why wouldn't you just do that instead of forcing your Religion on others that don't share your opinion. Or along side school take your kids to Sunday school so they can ask all the questions they want there.
I'm not opposed to debate about religion, but because America is a melting pot, there are so many different religions that would have to be taught. What if a child were to ask a religious question in class and the teacher gave them an answer their parents didn't agree with? What happens then? Do we fire that teacher? Do we sue them? Come on! Most parents that feel that strongly about religion already have their children enrolled in schools with religion based educations. This issue is purely fought by someone who has no respect for others beliefs. Remember they can always take a religion course in college where they can debate till they're blue in the face.

As for IEP's, let me get this straight, basically you think that a smart child should be made to sit through something that is obsolete to them, that they shouldn't be challenged. Or a child that is having difficulty should be left to struggle and fall behind?

Victoria let me ask you a personal question do you have a child with a learning disability? Not a relative or friend because that's not the same, YOU personally. If you did I think you might re-think that statement about IEP's. My daughter Meghan is epileptic and has had some delays due to her seizures and the medications that she takes to control them. Her IEP has been a tremedous stepping stone in her education and her teachers have worked with myself, her neurologist, and therapists to ensure she gets everything she needs to help her be at the same level as her peers. Without everyone working together Meghan would not have made the significant gains she has. So I take great offense when someone says a child should not be offered the help they need to succeed in education.

[Donna]

Victoria, sweetie, I have never called myself an "elite thinker."

I am a mom who is sick and tired of the direction the Bush Administration and its supporters have taken this country. I am fearful of a never-ending war without a purpose, of the widening gap between the wealthy and the poor, of becoming bankrupt if someone in my family gets sick, of crumbling roads and bridges and public schools... and someone imposing a religious agenda upon me and my family.

I seriously considered voting for the John McCain who ran in 2000 because he talked about fighting for the things I wanted a President to fight for. I was willing to overlook his anti-choice stances - but that was when Sandra Day O'Connor was still on the Supreme Court.

The Court has changed, and the country has changed, and McCain has morphed into the same kind of candidate who has changed this country for the worse. His choice of this city council woman as his #2 is the most cynical, pandering decision I have ever seen - and in my 52 years on this planet, I've seen a lot.

And that is why I make my views known here. NOT as an elite thinker, but as an ordinary person who feels enough is enough.

As for being unable to read... that's funny, because that's what I thought about YOU in reading your comments here.

[Catherine]

Sarah Palin is Pentecostal...but her church has been rejected by one of the largest Pentecostal organizations that exist...The Assemblies of God. They are neither desired by the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World. Of course, there are independent churches, but that is rare.

Despite all of that, there are no Pentecostal organizations that would suggest that creationism be taught as science in the public schools. That is absurd. The Pentecostal church is not one to flaunt unwed mothers either. In most churches you would be "silenced". Meaning, you could actually be asked to leave the church for a while, or if you were engaged in any activities in the church...that would promptly end. I suppose her church doesn't care, because of her status as Gov. Perhaps they need the money.

No matter how you shake it, the Apostolic/Pentecostal faith would never support such behavior or ideologies. In fact, it would not support her mean comments. The church is based in being filled with the Holy Ghost and speaking in other tongues as G-d give utterance, in the presence of a witness. Perhaps the evangelicals, formally known as Gerry Falwell's Moral Majority, do not realize that she is not in compliance with her faith. There is nothing moral about her behavior that I have seen.

Personally, I believe we have to understand that she is void of understanding on the matter of faith. That does not mean trust her...it only means see her as she is. She is a pitbull in lipstick, and there is nothing theologically correct, moral, or praiseworthy regarding Sarah Palin.