How about teaching evolution at Sunday school?

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Isn't the young age group a very good reason to point out that
there are alternatives to the biblical stories that are still
consistent with the underlying theology of christianity (although
perhaps not in those words).

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Impressing stories as fact on youngsters could be viewed as a form
of indoctrination or social programming which they are too
young to withstand.

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Church is an institution of faith. People go there to worship and learn about their religion. There is a distinct differenbe between this and public schools. The problem is not that the public schools are refusing to teach about creationism, but they are specifically attacking it. I agree with the seperation between Church and State, however, public schools should change the presentation of their science curriculum.

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If all you have to do is explain, not show evidence, then the Galactic Goat Theory of Everything qualifies.

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Evolutionism isn't a theory anymore?

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This, on the other hand, I have something of a problem with. I assume you have some reference that shows that creationism is being specifically targeted in public schools (as this could ALSO be considered a violation of Church-State separation)? Please note that one example does not a trend invoke - to make this more than a baseless assertion, you're going to have to show that "creation-bashing" is both pernicious and widespread before the accusation would stick.

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I formed my opinion after attending public schools. Try to discuss creationism with a publich school teacher. Immediately their face will well up with fear and they adopt the "deer in the headlights" look. I never once could get a teacher to talk about it (which I found odd since I was always trying to debunk it).

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Secondly, although I agree that evolution is badly taught in a lot of schools, you may be confusing the reasons. I NEVER received any in evolution in high school, although it was a long time ago. And the only HS biology curriculum that I'm familiar with that includes a great deal of evo bio is the international baccalaureate program in biology. At best, it is very poorly represented in most high school texts that I'm familiar with (which is not an exhaustive list or all-inclusive). In what way should public schools "change their presentation"? Are you proposing something like Johnson's "theistic science"? Just curious - and a topic for a different thread (with a bow to the Great Adminmooseus, long may he wave).

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Generally everthing in public school is poorly taught. I do agree with your statement about evo biology, however, I can remember being in third grade and taking a field trip to a museum. My class was informed we were descendents of apes complete with the little ape to man poster on the wall. I really have not made any conclusions as to where my origins lie (evo or creation). I try to keep an open mind, however, i'll be damned if some scientist is going to tell me i'm nothing more than a very smart poo-flinging monkey.

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Evolution'ism'. is not a theory, no.

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Dictionary.com disagrees.Evolutionist Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

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If you read the message I was replying to, you will notice that TB wants to have his Biblically-based "explanations" of natural phenomena taught as science in public school science classrooms.

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I did read the message. My point was evolution is still a theory while it does have better supporting data than TB's theory. It is still a theory.

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True. But children go there because their parents make them or because they get treats in sunday school. It's evil to shove religion down children's throats and indoctrinate them before they're old enough to make clear decisions for themselves, and conveniently forget to tell them about any alternative belief systems/ scientific theories. All you do is narrow their minds until they realise they've been duped and rebell.

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We all make decisions. No person is forced to do anything but be born and die. If a child does not want to eat cauliflower the child will do everything in his/her power not to eat it. Simple concept. Most children don't view sunday school in bad favor. My opinion is children will come to their own conclusions in life regardless of previous education or religion.A person is narrow minded on their own accord. Church teaches religion, however, they are not preventing any one from outside reading or learning.I am also curious about your "treats" statement. What do you mean?

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However, the theory of evolution represents a much more viable and widely accepted explanation of the phenomena. Whereas creationism is not. Also, if a child attends sunday school, or church, the organization should be charged with teaching the child its private views. Because creationism is a religious idea, public schools should not be subjected to it, separation of church and state.

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I somewhat agree with this, however, I don't think children should be taught they are evolved monkeys because it's the popular theory. I should at least be told I could have come from a monkey or some ominous being named God.

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Facetiousness aside, what is your objection to the realization that we are completely natural organisms in every sense of the word - an inseperable part and parcel of the incredible diversity of life on this planet? I think the idea lends a certain majesty to the whole existence thing. It certainly gives us bragging rights, as well as explaining all those really unpleasant aspects of our behavior...

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I contest no objection to the above. The public schools, in my opinion, shouldn't teach anything regarding evolution or creation unless ready to explain both in conjunction. It's either a both or none at all in my book. Don't get me wrong. Religion should not be taught in public schools. The student population is too diverse to concentrate on creation in the classroom, however, the same can be said about evolution. Private school is exclusive and believing in God does not earn you a free ticket to it.

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Hmmm. Our local paper just ran a story about the third-graders here going on a field trip to a creationist museum near here. Apparently they were told that nearly all fossils on earth were deposited in some single, unspecified flood.... And there was a picture of several kids in front of a "fossilized human femur" about four feet long. Hmmmm.

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I'm not quite sure what you are getting at. Was the school public or private? Did the children also learn about evolution during their third grade tenure? Was the human femur fossil from the same time period and site?