Intelligent Design

By Kris M. Meyer

Should "Intelligent Design" be taught in the science classes of our public schools?

As a Christian, I personally believe that God created the heavens and the Earth as stated in the book of Genesis in the Bible. Just as I would not want a non-Christian injecting his or her beliefs into my children, I would never use the public school system to push my religious beliefs onto others. I do not believe in a "state sponsored religion" and I believe that we are all entitled to our religious freedoms and beliefs.

I do however feel very strongly that our public schools should not discourage, "bash", ridicule, or question the religious beliefs that I as a parent want to instill upon my children. I believe my rights as a parent exceed those of the public school system when it comes to the religious views that I wish to instill upon my children. I do not view the questioning by the schools of one's religious beliefs as "critical thinking" when it comes to challenging the very existence of God. Instead, I view this as a breach of the Constitution for promoting a "state sponsored religion". The belief that there is no God is in fact a religion in itself... "Atheism". Atheism therefore should also not be promoted in our public schools.

"Science" should be taught in science class, and "religion" should not.