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Religion in Public Schools. Scott T. Cella February 15, 2011 EDUC-610. The First Amendment. The Establishment Clause : Separation of Church and State No religion has more rights than another. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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RELIGION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Scott T. CellaFebruary 15, 2011
EDUC-610
The First Amendment The Establishment Clause: Separation of
Church and State No religion has more rights than another.
The Free-Enterprise Clause: Prevents government from limiting Americans expressing religious beliefs.
Where we are today has been driven by lawsuits
The Lemon Test1. Must have secular purpose.
2. Must not have the effect of advancing or inhibiting religion.
-Impossible in most religions
3. Avoid excessive entanglement between government and religion.
The Facts in Life Individuals make many life choices based
on religion.
Schools are responsible to accommodate, not promote.
Controversial topics (homosexuality, premarital sex, abortion) must be approached with caution.
Creation vs. Evolution
Creation Belonging in Schools? Viewpoints not only ignored, but
ridiculed.
Evolution is presented as fact, though has noticeable holes.
Violated First Amendment right.
Evolution = Theory (not re-testable or observable)
Interesting Ideas Evolutionists refuse two religious ideas:
1. Existence of God 2. Noah’s Flood
Example: Canopy Theory
Evolutionist’s Rebutal Preaching “religion” with taxpayers’
money is unconstitutional.
Evolution is the best theory at this point.
Has physical evidence which supports their research.
Which Should be Taught? Neither theory can be claimed as true
science since they are not testable.
Both ideas require some amount of faith.
Realistically, this battle is between a small amount of the population.
Solution Teach both theories AND other beliefs
that students’ may have.
Don’t have to lecture, just promote awareness.
Be constructivist, not fundamentalists.
Students should be able to defend their theories(Bloom’s Taxonomy: Evaluation)
NOT how the world began
But how living things have ed as their env ed
8 evidences – not proof – just evidence
1.FOSSILSPreserved remains of earlier life
Found diff horses and elephants
– allow to track changes over time
2. Relative Dating
Distance/depth fossils underground – RELATIVE dating
What’s older/youngerFossils = sedimentary rock only
Layers harden/pressure rock
3. Radioactive Dating More precise
Measure decay of radioactive elements
4. Vestigial Structuresbody parts without apparent purpose – their size or shape or function has changed
Appendix digest heavy fiber
Human = 8 cm koala = 20 cmAs human diet no needSize decreases
Tonsils??? Someday???
Hip bones found whales + snakes ?????
5. Homologous structuresSimilar body parts different animals
Same # + arrangement bones
6. Embryology
Similarities btn fetuses different species
7. DNA
Newest tool – similarities N2 base patterns
8.New Features
Certain bacteria used to be killed by penicillin
Now becoming penicillin resistant – exposed changing properties
– ex antibody resistance