While I am not religious, I do believe that people have the right to their religion. I am not against prayer in schools, as long as it is personal and not mandatory for all. However, I do have a serious problem when it comes to teaching our children religion doctrine in schools as is being debated in the Texas textbook controversy. These textbooks are allegedly being purposely rewritten to further religious and political agendas rather than to teach our children the truth. While reading through my Bing News, I stumbled upon Kurt Eichenwald's opinion piece Textbook Case of Bad Textbooking. Far from being an "elitist," as mentioned in this article, I do not have the knowledge that many other's may have concerning these issues. However, I agree with Eichenwald that scientist and professors know more than me concerning their fields. While I considered myself intelligent and a knowledgeable person, that intelligence stems from my ability to say that I don't have all the answers and the determination to search them out.
This is not the first article I have read concerning the Texas textbook controversy. There was one piece of information in this article that causes me to address this topic. The fact that there is any chance at all that my granddaughter will be taught that "Moses" had a part in the writing of the Constitution flabbergasted me.
Is Our History Being Rewritten
According to an article from CBS News, Rewriting history? Texas tackles textbook debate, experts, that were admittedly left-leaning hired guns, found over 100 pages of errors. However, if Moses is mentioned as much as they say or even at all, then that is proof, in my mind, that these books have been chosen to further a religious agenda rather than to educate our children concerning the history of the United States. If he existed, it was long before America ever came into play.In addition, in a 2010 article Texas school board approves controversial textbook changes by Need to Know on PBS, I was able to locate some information concerning the proposed changes in the history curriculum that was debated. In these, I note a subtle approach in presenting more conservative viewpoints. Such as, discounting slavery as the reason behind the Civil War and an attempt to ensure that our current president, Barrack Obama, is portrayed as less American.
The Question of Objectivity
While not being able to locate the titles or books themselves, I was able to find the publisher's name in one article from Dallas News, Right, left blast new Texas textbooks. They mention that the publisher is Worldview.Upon further research, I found several books connected to a Worldview. The most interesting thing I found was that they are all Christian books.Also, biology textbooks are being discussed when it comes to Texas. It is not a huge surprise that the science behind climate change and evolution is under attack. I find it extremely interesting that panel members are using actually utilizing the term "critical thinking" to insist that creationism be taught alongside of evolution. I am a firm believer in "critical thinking" and find that many conservatives lack the objectivity to become "critical thinkers."
Those In Favor Of These Changes
I did find an article that was in favor of the new history textbooks. Phyllis Schlafly talks about not teaching negative views concerning the free market and teaching American Exceptionalism, based on unique values and denouncing previous teachings as liberal."For years, liberals have imposed their revisionist history on our nation's public school students, expunging important facts and historic figures while loading the textbooks with liberal propaganda, distortions and cliches."Also, mentioned in this article is the right to bear arms, naturally, and that the United States was not founded on a "separation of church and state" downplaying the first amendment of the Constitution but ensuring that the second amendment is discussed fully.
In Conclusion
This issue is one that should concern all Americans. Texas is one of the largest influencers of the textbooks all of our children use. "These days the Texas board is far less powerful than in its heyday. But in a way, it’s more influential than ever." said Gail Collins in How Texas Inflicts Bad Textbooks on Us. Therefore, it is likely that the current debate concerning the Texas textbook controversy will affect your children and grandchildren even if you do not live in the state of Texas.I, as a firm believer in education, am opposed to teaching our children theology as opposed to true science and history. It is important that we ensure future generations have the intelligence to grow and achieve as a species.What do you think of this important issue?
