Monday, March 24, 2014

Voucher systems allow private schools to promote religion, attack science, and undermine public education. And all with YOUR tax dollars.

Courtesy of Politico:  

Taxpayers in 14 states will bankroll nearly $1 billion this year in tuition for private schools, including hundreds of religious schools that teach Earth is less than 10,000 years old, Adam and Eve strolled the garden with dinosaurs, and much of modern biology, geology and cosmology is a web of lies. 

Now a major push to expand these voucher programs is under way from Alaska to New York, a development that seems certain to sharply increase the investment. 

Public debate about science education tends to center on bills like one in Missouri, which would allow public school parents to pull their kids from science class whenever the topic of evolution comes up. But the more striking shift in public policy has flown largely under the radar, as a well-funded political campaign has pushed to open the spigot for tax dollars to flow to private schools. Among them are Bible-based schools that train students to reject and rebut the cornerstones of modern science. 

Decades of litigation have established that public schools cannot teach creationism or intelligent design. But private schools receiving public subsidies can — and do. A POLITICO review of hundreds of pages of course outlines, textbooks and school websites found that many of these faith-based schools go beyond teaching the biblical story of the six days of creation as literal fact. Their course materials nurture disdain of the secular world, distrust of momentous discoveries and hostility toward mainstream scientists. They often distort basic facts about the scientific method — teaching, for instance, that theories such as evolution are by definition highly speculative because they haven’t been elevated to the status of “scientific law.” 

And this approach isn’t confined to high school biology class; it is typically threaded through all grades and all subjects. 

One set of books popular in Christian schools calls evolution “a wicked and vain philosophy.” Another derides “modern math theorists” who fail to view mathematics as absolute laws ordained by God. The publisher notes that its textbooks shun “modern” breakthroughs — even those, like set theory, developed back in the 19th century. Math teachers often set aside time each week — even in geometry and algebra — to explore numbers in the Bible. Students learn vocabulary with sentences like, “Many scientists today are Creationists.”

That last sentence sent a chill up my spine at the same time that it made my hands clench in anger.

THIS is the kind of garbage that is spoon fed to impressionable children in some of these schools.

Yesterday my mother came by to visit and the topic turned to the rash of religiously themed movies coming out this year. 

My mom thought that was a weird coincidence, but I told her it is no coincidence and that it is part of an overall master plan that was first put into place during the 80's with the Moral Majority, and which has only expanded today, for Christians to slowly take over the 7 mountains of influence that they believe will allow them to once again regain control of the country.

One of those mountains, of course, is education. And with the school voucher system it allows the fundamentalists to sabotage the public school system, while providing religious based education, which relies on faith, rather than a secular education, which relies on critical and rational thinking.

We have to recognize that we are in a war for the future of this country, and sadly the progressive side of the battle lines are woefully unprepared for what is to come.

And please if you think I am putting forth some sort of conspiracy theory, then research for yourself. Because believe me, I only wish it was a conspiracy theory.

24 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:36 AM

    This is so, so, so disturbing, I'm just sick to my stomach reading this.

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  2. Anonymous9:39 AM

    If the internet did not exist to provide access to other forms of thought, we'd be absolutely doomed in this country. The availability of sound facts and figures is the only hope.

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    1. Anonymous11:04 AM

      at the same time the internet allows these dipshits, domestic taliban, to find each other and band together more readily - it's a double edged sword ...

      i'm wondering when does the shootin' start ?

      Delete
  3. Anonymous9:58 AM

    Rick Santorum’s new western flick is about a rootin’ tootin’ outlaw finding Jesus

    It looks to have all the traditional ingredients of a truly rootin’ tootin’ western, including bank robberies, gunfights and murderous outlaws out for revenge. But The Redemption of Henry Myers, the new movie from former US presidential wannabe Rick Santorum, also throws something fresh into the mix: Jesus.

    The evangelical tale, which debuted on the Hallmark Movie Channel in the US on Sunday, is the latest Christian-oriented movie from Santorum’s film production company EchoLight Studios. It centres on a dark-hearted outlaw, who finds himself being hunted by his former partners in crime after absconding from an abortive bank robbery with a bag full of swag.

    Henry takes a bullet for his pains, but finds himself nursed back to health by a God-fearing widow and her children. The intrigue deepens when the identity of the woman’s late husband becomes clear, and Myers is faced with the choice of a life of faith or a return to his dastardly frontier existence.

    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/03/24/rick-santorums-new-western-flick-is-about-a-rootin-tootin-outlaw-finding-jesus/

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    1. hedgewytch11:22 AM

      Bad replay of the John Wayne classic "The Angel and the Badman"? Where the hero is a gun slinger who gets shot and nursed back to health by a Quaker woman who turns him back to God and giving up his gun shooting ways.. Original plotline huh?

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  4. Anonymous10:05 AM

    And here's more insanity!

    Creationists to Neil deGrasse Tyson: Evolution isn’t scientific, but the Book of Genesis is

    Creationist Ray Comfort complained that Neil deGrasse Tyson had misrepresented the Bible.

    The astrophysicist and host of Fox’s “Cosmos” said recently that using the Bible as a scientific source was problematic, because no one had ever scientifically proven a theory based on scripture.

    Comfort said last week on his online “Comfort Zone” program that Tyson wasn’t qualified to make that determination because he’s not a theologian.

    “You know, the word ‘science,’ it’s kind of a magical word,” Comfort said. “‘I believe in science.’ It just means knowledge, that’s all it means. There’s different areas of science, different areas of knowledge. When you say the Bible is not a science book, you’re saying it’s not a knowledge book? It tells us how God created the Earth!”

    Knowledge, of course, is not quite all that defines science, which is characterized by systematic methods of observation in pursuit of new understanding.

    But Comfort insisted the Bible was a science book because it described the origins of the universe.

    “It gives us the basis for all creation, and it passes the scientific method,” he said. “It’s observable – Genesis – and testable. Evolution is not. You can’t observe something 60 million years old, but you can observe what Genesis says.”

    For example, Comfort argued, the Book of Genesis mentions that animals reproduce other animals like themselves, and that can be observed on the fossil record.

    “The Bible isn’t written as a science book, but it has scientific facts in it that can be relied upon, unchanging scientific facts,” he said. “It’s God’s word.”

    Comfort’s guest, creationist fundraiser Alan Pearson, said Tyson’s comments revealed a flaw in scientific thinking.

    “This is a reboot of the PBS series in the ‘70s with Carl Sagan, who said the cosmos is all that ever was and all that ever will be, which is ironic, because that is not a statement that can be proven in fact,” said Pearson, who directs fundraising for Comfort’s ministry. “That is a faith-based statement, if you will. So it’s kind of ironic, this whole thing being rebooted as it is.”

    Comfort agreed that Tyson, like Sagan, seems like a nice fellow.

    “Horrible statements come from nice guys,” Comfort said. “I mean, he’s just downgraded the word of God as just, you can’t trust it, [but] you can throw yourself blindfolded without reserve into the promises of God. You can trust the Bible. It’s God’s word.”

    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/03/24/creationists-to-neil-degrasse-tyson-evolution-isnt-scientific-but-the-book-of-genesis-is/

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  5. Anonymous10:06 AM

    A twisted view on Atheism:

    Atheist women were likely raped, and that’s why they reject Jesus

    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/03/24/pat-robertson-atheist-women-were-likely-raped-and-thats-why-they-reject-jesus/

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  6. Anonymous10:09 AM

    Do women really buy this crap?

    ...Pastor Anderson first attempted to justify the silencing of women by quoting 1 Timothy 2:11, “[l]et the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”

    He then asked the congregation to flip to 1 Corinthians 14, which says “[l]et your women keep silence in the churches, for it is not permitted unto them to speak, as it is commanded to be under obedience as also sayeth the law. And if they will learn anything, let them ask their husbands at home: for it is shameful for women to speak in the church.”

    “Now obviously,” he continued, “before the service begins, there’s chatting and talking going on, that’s perfectly legitimate. When we all sing praises to God, of course the ladies should also lift up their voices.”

    “But when it’s learning time,” Pastor Anderson said, hammering his lecturn, “it’s silence time.”

    “So what it’s saying is that they,” the women, “are to learn in silence.” He then quoted 1 Corinthians 14 again, saying that “when the learning is going on, they are not permitted to speak. When the preaching of God’s word is taking place — and first of all, it’s not for a woman to be doing the preaching, and second of all, it’s not for women to be speaking.”

    “Even the Bible’s really clear on this,” he said. “Even if they were to have a question, they’re not to ask that question in the church, number one. Number two, even if they want to ask that question to their husband, they should wait until they get home.”

    “This is why I don’t believe women should say ‘amen’ during the preaching either. Because ‘amen’ means ‘truly’ or ‘verily’ … it basically means ‘that’s true.’ So when I’m preaching and I say something that you agree with and that you believe in, and you say ‘amen,’ you’re saying ‘that’s true.’”

    “So here’s the thing,” Pastor Anderson concluded, “when I’m preaching, women should not express their opinion, even if it’s a positive opinion, even if she agrees with me.”

    However, he added, “I was preaching one-time, and a woman actually disagreed with me in the middle of preaching. She said I was wrong, and you know, I kind of blew up at her.”

    Watch Pastor Steven Anderson’s entire sermon below.

    http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/03/24/anti-gay-pastor-who-prayed-for-obamas-death-demands-silence-from-women-in-church/

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    1. Anonymous10:38 AM

      Today’s Battle For Most Terrible Evangelical: Pat Robertson Vs. Up-And-Comer Who Wants To Shut Ladies’ Mouths For Them

      Read more at http://wonkette.com/544812/todays-battle-for-most-terrible-evangelical-pat-robertson-vs-up-and-comer-who-wants-to-shut-ladies-mouths-for-them#AX83HYB3swvprjfl.99

      Delete
    2. Anonymous12:35 PM

      "Do women really buy this crap?"

      Yes, women really buy it. I've seen huge numbers of women who do their level best to remain quiet and submissive to their husbands at all times and who teach their daughters the same. Their "growth in belief" is disgusting to watch as they go from seemingly normal women to timid, meek people who appear to be afraid to express their opinion about anything to anyone.

      One question I have is how can women like that be supporters of Mama Grizzly Palin. what with her Belmonts, hooker shoes and vulgarity? For that matter, how can the men who want their wives and daughters to act like "biblical women", be wild about Sarah Palin?


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  7. Anonymous10:50 AM

    This should be a gigantic issue. American children are being taught ridiculous hogwash at the public expense, It should serve as a red flag for the people who are enthusiastic about charter schools. It should be a measure of our maturity as a nation and as a people that we simply don't do this any more. This week, the "religious liberty" scam in the Hobby Lobby case is going before the Supreme Court. I am sure that there will be a "religious liberty" argument made in defense of making American students dumber when they get out of school than they were when they went in. Dear Mother of Jesus, we are a heavily armed nation of fkwits.

    http://www.esquire.com/blogs/politics/Textbook_Nonsense

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  8. As if people aren't stupid enough so as it is...

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  9. Anonymous11:55 AM

    This just came to me, if this is what they want for our children, then they are dumber than I thought and here's why- They wish to have generations of virtually unemployable people, for instance, if the majority of your co-workers are sane, and they hire a wackadoodle, they will eventually collide with common sense, and that makes business life miserable for the workers, So that bible thumper is shown the door, wow, great plan idiots, penniless, yet still has faith, yeesh!

    Tap Duncan

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    1. Anonymous2:51 PM

      Many public inner city schools are sub par. There are many reasons for this, and we can debate them another time. Most of the student body in these schools are black, and virtually all come from low income homes.

      These private schools are still required to test their students as mandated by the state, and most private schools do quite well. If parents in inner city areas cannot move to a better area, they currently have no choice but to send their kids for sub-par educations. By giving these parents a chance, a small opportunity to a better education, they are having an opportunity to experience the "American Dream" that is otherwise out of reach.

      It is discriminatory to NOT allow these kids the same learning environment and opportunity that middle class families have.

      They have virtually NO chance without the ability to get out, but if they can, they can do wonders!

      Delete
    2. Anonymous5:35 PM

      WRONG. The charter schools DO NOT have to provide testing or results like public schools do. The voucher schools do test, but their results DO NOT COUNT. Either way, public money is taken, and charters and vouchers are not held accountable. On top of that, there is little transparency of fiscal responsibility and no real accountability. If a child enrolls in either "public school alternative" in August, then is removed from the school and re-enrolled in a public school the money for educating that child STAYS with the charter or voucher school. While the child is enrolled at said voucher or charter school the public system must pay for bus transportation. Teachers at these so called schools are not always required to be certificated, nor do they need to meet the rigorous demands placed by the state on public teachers. If parents are involved, vigilent, provide grass roots support, demand as a group that their schools and children be held accountable then things would be much better. I know these things to be true. I am a teacher with excellent credentials. I have taught in the hood.

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    3. Anonymous3:52 AM

      I am only aware of the inner city schools..you know, the ones that are failing. The conditions in these schools are diplorable. I would gladly send my child to a different school, rather than to a school that is not accredited, and takes the doors off the bathroom stalls because of drugs, sex, etc. Yes, I know a school that did this.

      Many/most of the students that come out of the private schools are accepted into college. This is much better than the "I don't care" mentality that kids come out of non accredited schools with.

      So it takes some research by the parent first. Fine. Throwing the idea out arbitrarily, simply because a Christian school teaches Christian beliefs, is short sighted. Giving these kids a chance, and giving parents a choice just opens the door to opportunity. It levels the playing field.

      Not all charted and private schools are bad, and parents should have the choice to upgrade when they can.

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  10. Anonymous1:18 PM

    Let's see... we could just force all of those kids to attend a failing school, where they'll learn nothing, or give them a fighting chance of making something of themselves, and do something with their lives...inner city non-certified school, or private...hmmm. you tell me.

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  11. They want their Creationist fairytale until some oncologist tells them “It’s metastasized,” then they’ll want every fucking thing real science can do for them. Goddamn hypocrites.

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  12. Anonymous2:01 PM

    Part of the True Detective story which I found very interesting.

    TexasMel

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  13. Anonymous7:10 PM

    I am absolutely for education but Taxpayers should not subsidize private schools, prison or healthcare. Tax dollars go to a public school system. Our publics are suffering because of this outrageous crime. Bottomline. If you want your kid to receive a private education then YOU BUY. Taxpayers do not subsidize private schools period.

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  14. Anita Winecooler7:12 PM

    This has been one of my worst nightmares, we can't allow this to happen to our future workforce and voters. Our kids and our educators deserve better.

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  15. Anonymous7:13 PM

    When will taxpayers wake up. We subsidize corporations and their employees collecting public aid because of their low wages. And we pay for private schools that teach racism, hate and division? baloney. NO public money for private schools.

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  16. Anonymous11:54 AM

    If there is one thing that cracks me up it's this- Let the kid's decide; teach creationism and evolution, equally, then give the test, only the test is based on facts and science. That way we'll know who is more qualified to advance to the next grade level. It will also point out how many kids come from a religiosity based family life, and those that are open to science, then put it their permanent record!! JK about that last part...

    Tap Duncan (not anonymous)

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  17. Good effort I like all debate ACT science is not really science but its formulas are very clear and easily. Understand with full attention and all rules are standardized. And this is very important section for science Students get benefit from this. I appreciate it.

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