evolution

[dnjsmom]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? WA
Is there a legal way for me to opt my child out of an evelution theory section in science class? From my understanding in WA state schools are required to teach this theory as fact. It would be against my religous beliefs to allow him to stay in the class for this section. I have looked and cannot find an answer anywhere.

Thank you

 

[Andy0192]

While this isn't a direct answer to your question, have you considered telling him your side against the theory of evolution?

You can't prevent your child from ever hearing about Darwin, but you can present your own side of the argument to him, and probably help to balance his education. You would also be able to help him with critical thought analysis, and show him there is often more than one side to a story.

 

[Banned_Princess]

Something wrong with the truth?

You should call the school, let them know your ridiculous concerns, and ask your child not be taught the truth at all. You dont want him to learn how we got here in a way that makes sense. Nope, not for your kid. He must learn about the celestial being (maybe an alien) that came down from the sky, and created all you see, with a twitch of his nose. While your at it, math is against my religin, is that fake too? Can we get him out of learning that as well?


Or you can home school him alll that craziness about the whole word of 400 billion plus, people came from one couple in a low low 4,000 years. Yes thats right all different races and human kind was created through incest and the good mighty lord, just.. you know.. changed their color to spice things up.




Science and scientific methods are made up, fake and misleading, and religion is real. yea, o.k.

 

[mommyof4]

Something wrong with the truth?

You should call the school, let them know your ridiculous concerns, and ask your child not be taught the truth at all. You dont want him to learn how we got here in a way that makes sense. Nope, not for your kid. He must learn about the celestial being (maybe an alien) that came down from the sky, and created all you see, with a twitch of his nose. While your at it, math is against my religin, is that fake too? Can we get him out of learning that as well?


Or you can home school him alll that craziness about the whole word of 400 billion plus, people came from one couple in a low low 4,000 years. Yes thats right all different races and human kind was created through incest and the good mighty lord, just.. you know.. changed their color to spice things up.




Science and scientific methods are made up, fake and misleading, and religion is real. yea, o.k.

You may not agree with her beliefs, but that gives you NO right to belittle her in the manner you did. The fact is that evolution, at this point in time, IS a theory. While I believe that theory (coupled with the fact that I have managed to reconcile evoloution with creationism in my mind), there are many, many that do not.

YOUR belief does NOT trump anyone else's and your response was just plain rude and nothing more than a personal attack.

****************************************

OP..I agree with the first response. You probably will not be able to opt the child out of the lesson. You should take the opportunity to talk to your child about YOUR beliefs and show your child that many people believe very different things because, the FACT is, that NOBODY has the answers. Teach your child to be respectful of others' beliefs and to ask intelligent, probing questions in a respectful manner. Those discussions could be the most interesting and informative discussions he ever has.

 

[dnjsmom]

I was actually hoping someone else had dealt with this sort of thing before and could offer some help. If you dont know the answer don't respond; I thought it was simple but maybe not simple enough for some.

I have no problem with the school teaching theories but I think intelligent design should be taught along with the other theories. If the school cannot show all sides of an issue it isn't a real education. This isnt a public education class room you are free to have any belief you want and you don't have to respond to my post.

 

[Banned_Princess]

Actually i don't believe we evolved, I believe we were raised by aliens who made us by building snowmen, and putting magic hats on our heads. Then they taught us how to crop circle, and build huge structures weighing hundreds of thousands of pounds with only slave manual labor.

In America I can believe anything I want. Hey, great, I'm going to go build a church on that belief, and I'll get back to you.

 

[mommyof4]

Actually i don't believe we evolved, I believe we were raised by aliens who made us by building snowmen, and putting magic hats on our heads. Then they taught us how to crop circle, and build huge structures weighing hundreds of thousands of pounds with only slave manual labor.

In America I can believe anything I want. Hey, great, I'm going to go build a church on that belief, and I'll get back to you.

My point, exactly.

More power to you.

See how that works?

 

[Zigner]

BP - the problem is that your personal attack was uncalled for in this forum.
I agree with your sentiment, but you were way out of line...

 

[Banned_Princess]

Fine, children should be taught only what their parent want them to learn. Even if it harms the child in the long run, to find the church and their parents are lier's.


I just want to point out that that is what home schooling is for. I heard all the science books for home schooling only teach creationism. Go for it.


OP the answer is simple, call the school, and tell them you will be home schooling your child the week they cover evolution, and spent that time in bible study. You are free to do that if you want.

 

[mommyof4]

Fine, children should be taught only what their parent want them to learn. Even if it harms the child in the long run, to find the church and their parents are lier's.

What proof do you have that their parents and the church are 'liars'? Do you know, for a fact, how any organism came to be? If you do...submit your proof because at this point, all theories are just that...theories.

I just want to point out that that is what home schooling is for. I heard all the science books for home schooling only teach creationism. Go for it.

You heard wrong.

OP the answer is simple, call the school, and tell them you will be home schooling your child the week they cover evolution, and spent that time in bible study. You are free to do that if you want.

As that may be not quite legal and the child will rack up unexcused absences, I would suggest she double check those issues before taking your suggestion.

 

[Some Random Guy]

I have no problem with the school teaching theories but I think intelligent design should be taught along with the other theories. If the school cannot show all sides of an issue it isn't a real education.

I agree with the others that your child will likely have to remain in class for the evolution section and you should feel free to discuss your religous views with your child. Also, ensure with the school that any grades in that section are for learning the material, not agreeing with it.

But that said, I disagree with the idea of teaching intelligent design. Evolution is based on evidence and facts. The world's scientists started with the facts and built the theory.

Intelligent design is based on a religous belief and was manufactured simply as a way to get the religous teaching into the schools. They started with the theory and then manifulated the facts to fit.

I have no problem with your belief in strict creationism or guided evolution, so long as you admit that, despite the fact that the earth is only 6054 years old, the creator took great pains to make it look 4.5 billion years old, and that evolution is based on human interpretations of those misleading clues that the creator has left throughout the world.

 

[dnjsmom]

Thank you Banned Princess. That is what I was thinking of doing. I was hoping someone else had been here before me and could offer some advice. Thank you for not judging me.

If the other responder that wants to attack me for my beliefs so be it. According to my faith I count it as a blessing. If you are interested in learning another point of view let me know. I understand the theory of evelution and my son will too. I am just going to make sure he doesn't confuse theory with fact.

 

[Zigner]

Thank you Banned Princess. That is what I was thinking of doing. I was hoping someone else had been here before me and could offer some advice. Thank you for not judging me.

ummmm ok.

...

I understand the theory of evelution and my son will too. I am just going to make sure he doesn't confuse theory with fact.

...

Now THAT is a confusing statement, as we have no facts

 

[You Are Guilty]

Just to follow your logic - if your issue with teaching evolution stems from the fact that is a"theory" and not a "fact", then where do you stand on say, gravity, Atomic Theory or even the Pythagorean Theorem? Son can't go to science or math classes either?

 

[CdwJava]

Something wrong with the truth?

You should call the school, let them know your ridiculous concerns, and ask your child not be taught the truth at all. You dont want him to learn how we got here in a way that makes sense. Nope, not for your kid. He must learn about the celestial being (maybe an alien) that came down from the sky, and created all you see, with a twitch of his nose. While your at it, math is against my religin, is that fake too? Can we get him out of learning that as well?

Or you can home school him alll that craziness about the whole word of 400 billion plus, people came from one couple in a low low 4,000 years. Yes thats right all different races and human kind was created through incest and the good mighty lord, just.. you know.. changed their color to spice things up.

Science and scientific methods are made up, fake and misleading, and religion is real. yea, o.k.

Wow!

I never thought I would say this, but I find THIS diatribe quite offensive!

Banned, instead of simply presenting alternatives to assist the OP you decide, instead, that it would be best to demean and ridicule the poster's beliefs. Beliefs shared by a great many Americans - including myself.

You are free to believe as you will. But, to make such a vicious and heartless assault against so many others for no reasons other than to demonstrate either some deep seated loathing against the Christian faith, or to demonstrate your own narrow-mindedness, is simply vile. I certainly hope that you are simply having a bad morning.

I just want to point out that that is what home schooling is for. I heard all the science books for home schooling only teach creationism. Go for it.

Then you heard wrong.

----

As for the OP's question, I would recommend you simply provide your child with the alternative teachings. They may or may not include intelligent design, guided evolution, or some sort of divine creation. As was previously stated, your child will not be able to avoid teachings on evolution, but it can be tempered with a discussion of faith and alternative theories as well. But, a child grounded in faith and in a proper education will be able to temper their knowledge appropriately and address those questions as they might arise and to evaluate them within the context of that knowledge and their faith.

And for those who believe that all religious based "intelligent design" theories believe in a world that is only some 6,000 years old have not spent a good deal of time on the topic. There is a great deal more to the topic and one does not have to discard faith to believe evolution or vice versa.