OldSalt posted:The problem we are having is our divergent definitions of what a theory is. So, I will concede to your definition. Now I want Hindu creation theory taught in schools as an alternative. Many people believe in it (there are around 2 billion people in India.) So, it is as valid as your version of creationism.
As for the definition of theory I don't expect you to concede to my definition as I was just answering your question as to the way --> I <---- was using it and you very well can disagree based upon your own understanding of the word and would surely use it in a different way. From my perspective though that is the way I am using it. As for the teaching of Hindu creation, I have no problem with that either. In fact, IF the theory is widespread or popular enough, I do believe it should be taught because students will likely encounter it at some point in time and should have some understanding of the most prevalent accepted opinions.
It should be up to those taught to discern which is the most credible and plausible choice for them. I'm not in favor of teaching any one of them as being the ONLY acceptable choice or choosing one as the correct over the others for that is not the purpose of teaching the various theories but rather test students on their understanding of each position as it is presented. I know which position/theory that I believe is most plausible for me but I'm not threatened or upset at the teaching of the others as long as it is instructional teaching rather than indoctrination and promoting one above or over the others.
I do, though, believe there has to be some limits and cutoffs as to where to limit the teaching. As it is it seems, though, teaching has almost been limited to Evolution as the only acceptable or credible version of how we all got here. For Scientist or at least many of them, they fully accept and believe Evolution to be the case however it should then stand the scrutiny of comparison with other prevalent theories and others should be included rather than excluded and at times even at the cost of instructor's positions who might dare to include other theories or methods.
I do admit that teaching Creation by a single deity (G_d) falls in the realm of Religion, by its nature, but to exclude it claiming separation of Church and State or that someone is trying to preach it is a weak argument as long as it's not being preached or forced. Again I'm not advocating indoctrination or preaching but rather the inclusion of the theory of Creation rather than the exclusion of it. IF there is nothing to it then where is the threat? What is the problem teaching the most prevalent accepted methods that students and people are certain to encounter in their lives? The same goes for the other most prevalent theories that are accepted by large populations.
So I'm asking, you, if education and learning is the goal then why exclude all but one theory of how we got here and arrived? Is teaching that Christians/Muslims/Jewish religions believe that a singular Deity/G_d brought into being everything by His own desire or Hindu's belief or Buddhist such a threat to evolution as long as it is taught for informational purposes and not indoctrination? Or how about teaching that creation, the Universe, Human life, all that is around us was created by or according to some Intelligent Design whether it be a Deity or much advanced Alien civilization. Again I'm not advocating teaching every theory or speculation as to how we got here and overloading people with obscure theories but I'm also not comfortable with limiting it to one theory that a select group happens to accept at the exclusion of all the others because those who advocate the acceptable method happen to believe the others are delusional or Religious gibberish.
It's really not going to matter because it's just my opinion and I'm not in the position to make those decisions but I do feel it is in itself a form of indoctrination and forcing of one opinion upon others which is essentially what was happening when Darwin and Evolution was excluded from educational systems those many years before. We are essentially doing the exact same thing today only we have switched chosen or accepted theories but we are making decisions for everyone else and excluding all other prevalent opinions/beliefs that I submit are just as viable and acceptable for those many who accept and believe them. If all are taught with equal weight from an informational basis just as Religion is taught in Religion classes not giving weight to one or another as the correct or chosen one then it is the student that benefits by having a much wider and greater exposure to information. The student can then decide for themselves which they believe is more credible and/or plausible.