The religious fundamentalists are at it again. And I am not talking about Islamist fundamentalists, I am talking about the American [Taliban] Christianists/Dominionists.
Dr. Poole, a communications professor in Florida has recently come under fire for a classroom exercise. I could quote the particulars, but please go to the source:
http://signon.org/...
The right-wing attacks on our education system are as serious a threat to our country's stability as the Civil War was in the 1800's.
Remember, the Cultural Revolution in China started with attacks on the teachers.
Let's get the Wonderful Kos Kommunity to fight back with strength. Please sign and disseminate!
Being a teacher has never been easy. You want your students to learn, to think things through, to question and then discover the answers to their questions. But when a certain group of people who feel they are entitled to push their belief systems into your classroom get a foothold, the danger signals and alarms start blaring loudly.
If a student feels offended by a classroom exercise, the student is the one who should be called to task to discover where the offense comes from. If we cannot have discussions in a classroom, then where can we?
Both sides of issues can and should be discussed. If someone brings up creationism in a science class, for example, that is the best time to discuss the scientific process - from hypothesis through theory. And a great time to discuss the difference between scientific thought and philosophical and religious thought.
We must stand up for freedom of expression or the teachers will be shackled by the ignorance of a few loud-mouthed authoritarians.
Don't be seduced into thinking this is no big deal. The dominionists are very well organized, trained, and funded. And they are determined to take this country into dangerous territory...