Anderson

I'm in high-school (tenth grade), and that means I am required to take a course in Health. Basically, it's a simple course in biology, sex-ed, and mental health. I wouldn't have any problem with the class if it wasn't for the teacher.

Today, while watching a movie, the narrator commented on some aspect of evolution. My teacher paused the movie and proceeded to say, "Just as a footnote, evolution is JUST a theory. It hasn't been proven, and many excellent scientists have proven it to be false. Besides, do you really think your ancestor was a fish?" He started the movie again and we finished watching it.

We start talking about cells later that class, and he compares cells to computers. He called them the most complex system ever. Then, it was something along the lines of, "Now, I seriously doubt that a cell this complicated could just randomly appear. There must have been a Creator." Sadly enough, I saw some of my class-mates bobbing their heads in agreement.

It makes me angry when people do things like this. Especially when they push their agenda on kids. Maybe I'm just more angry that I didn't say something about it.

Some background on the guy: He's a gym teacher that frequently attends Bible study groups. The perfect person to teach a health class. <img src="graemlins/banghead.gif" border="0" alt="[Bang Head]" />

&lt;/angry rant&gt;

Flynn McKerrow

Of course, if this is in a public school, the teacher should be fired or reprimanded.

Should this thread go the C/S forum?

Ab_Normal

Concur. If you're in public school, Anderson, can you get your parents to complain to the principal and the school board? That was just plain inappropriate.

pz

He demonstrated his incompetence right there. The phrase "just a theory" is a giant red flag that says he knows nothing about the meaning of a scientific theory. It has not been proven false, particularly by any "excellent scientists"...you might ask him to name a few of them. And it really doesn't matter what people think, the evidence supports common descent and the fact that we evolved from fish-like chordates.

I'd suggest bringing this up with your parents, first. Then hit up the principal with a complaint about the low quality of the education you are getting from this unqualified boob he's got teaching health, and explain that you'll go over his head to the school board and the local media if something isn't done.

Pitshade

Off to Church/State...

Buffman

Anderson

If yours is a public school, and if your parents support your view of this incident (and even if they don't), you should seriously consider sending your concerns to the following organization requesting their assistance or direction:

<a href="http://www.ncseweb.org/" target="_blank">http://www.ncseweb.org/</a>

You would probably have to provide the names and addresses of yourself, the school, the Principal, the teacher and a complete and accurate description of the incident if the NCSE folks are to provide you with any guidance/assistance.

Anderson

Yep, it's a public school.

If he blatantly promotes his religion in class again, I will be taking some form of action. I don't think he's spoken enough of his God-spiel yet to warrant him getting fired or even reprimanded. Thanks for the advice and links, though. I'll keep them all in mind if I have a problem again.

As a side note... one of our assignments is to interview someone over the age of 40 and write a paper(it's a strange program). Instead of just creating a person from the depths of my imagination, I've decided to do my paper on my atheist uncle. It will be interesting to see how the teacher reacts to it.

[ October 30, 2002: Message edited by: Anderson ]</p>

Stephen Maturin

Could be, but I suspect something else. This teacher's comments are entirely too "canned." Five gets ya ten he's a Liar for Jesus(TM) using his position as a public school employee to advance some theocratic socio-political agenda.

Alonzo Fyfe

Whether he gets fired or not is not your decision to make. It depends on a number of factors, including past history -- information you may not have access to.

The relevant facts here are that he has engaged in inappropriate behavior. Inappropriate behavior should be reported. If this is his first offense (or first reported offense) chances are minimal that he will get fired. He will likely receive a warning. If this is not his first offense, your statement that you "don't think he has spoken enough of his God-spiel yet to warrant him getting fired..." may be false.

Do you think that this is the only class that he has ever done this to?

I strongly encourage you to report the incident.

[ October 31, 2002: Message edited by: Alonzo Fyfe ]</p>

Crow

I would not wait for him to do it again. I would bring this to the attention of your parents and the Principal. You don't know how long he has been exhibiting this illegal behavior and if you don't report it he may continue long after you have graduated.

And I agree with Alonzo, if he is fired as a result of you reporting the behavior it is probably the case that he has been warned several times to stop and has ignored his superiors.