Finally Weighing in on the ID Debate

There have been a slew of articles on the issue of teaching Intelligent Design in the schools, so, it's only natural that I add my 2 cents here.

While I am a devout Christian, I don't know that any lengthy discussion of Intelligent Design is appropriate for public schools. The primary reason, as stated by others more eloquent on the subject than I, are the lack of hard data to support the theory of ID, which belongs in the category of religion/philosophy, rather than science. Public education should be as objective as possible, and be rather centrist in its approach, because the needs of a wide variety of individuals must be met as best as possible with a universal curriculum. This means some concepts will be left out, always to the chagrin of certain individuals.

Those who hammer in with their arguments to push ID in the schools miss out on one critical fact. Our country is one where individual liberties are preserved more often than not, especially in the area of education. You ARE NOT FORCED to send your children to public schools.

"But", the critic will cry, "private schools are expensive". I will concede that most private schools are, indeed, expensive. But first I will adress the question of what price would you put on giving your children a quality education? How much is too much? After all, you are providing your child with the tools that will be significant factors in determining their success and failure.

But more importantly, you don't have to pay a single dime to educate your child outside of the public school system. The materials you need to teach your child at home can be obtained at your local library. For those in states where the school board has final say to approve or disapprove of your curriculum, you can still use library materials; all it takes is the skill to properly word your plan of education to the school board (and if you lack such skills, you might want to reconsider the idea of homeschooling and go back to the private school option). Many church-based private schools also offer scholarships to church members and needy students, as well as "work study" options where the parent works off all or part of their children's tuition.

As a society, we have become far too reliant on the public school system. We expect the impossible out of teachers, asking them to be counselors, surrogate parents, janitors, jailers, and many other tasks all while paying them a salary that is less than that made by union laborers in many fields. While teachers work hard at being up to the task (usually quite admirably, I might add), they simply are unable to be all things to all children.

The public school system in this nation is more than adequate. It has produced great minds in all fields. But it has its limitations, a fact even its most ardent apologists will readily concede. It is not the place for a faith based education.

If you want your student to learn creationism (by any name), the best place to teach that is likely in the home or church setting. That way, for instance, the child of Baptist parents is not taught creationism according to groups such as the Raelians, Scientologists, or Mormons, which would certainly be at odds with their chosen faith (if you're Baptist, PLEASE don't split hairs over my use of the word "chosen"; predestination is another topic ENTIRELY). Parents who do not wish to send their children to private school or to homeschool may wish to set aside time outside of the school setting to teach their children THEIR views of the origins of the species. Heck, they could even bring SEVERAL students in to teach.

But we must remember that public schools must hypothetically serve the needs of the minority within our society as well as the majority. This means that they must eliminate a lot of good, well established thought in the interests of serving the public. They are, however, ONE option in educating one's child; a fact that the religious faithful would do well to consider.