12yo Texan Girl Told to Write that God is Fake!

[Othelos]

So do Evangelicals.

The difference between the atheist and the evangelical being the amount of evidence each has for their case.

I can speak from experience that I didn't want to hear it when I was very religious, but talking about the issues with religion and the bible put me on a path of critical thinking and I eventually left it behind. Being insular is -not- the right option.

Perhaps, but you can't change people who don't want change.

That doesn't mean it's not worth trying.

[Thomaion]

dude you're doing secularism wrong.

Although I am really devout, I do tend to advocate that Jesus and No-God (or whatever) should not be taught in schools, no matter the circumstance until the age of adulthood in that nation.

[Uawc]

The difference between the atheist and the evangelical being the amount of evidence each has for their case.



Perhaps, but you can't change people who don't want change.

That doesn't mean it's not worth trying.

I'll open the door, but I have a problem with imposing any idea (even if it happens to be factually correct) on anyone else.

If someone wants to believe the sky is purple, it's better to let them.

[Alliir]

Teacher shouldn't be fired, but they should not be allowed to do something like this. I mean, what if a teacher told all of his/her students to pray before class? It's not necessary. I'm christian, but I'd be angry if this was a theist forcing their beliefs upon Atheists. Why can't everybody just accept everybody else's religion/lack thereof and move on? I mean, what does it matter if the Ten commandments are on display in some government place, or if some show supports the theory of evolution or The Big Bang or whatever? I don't like the idea of a future in which nobody is allowed to choose what to believe.

Anyways, I'm stupid, so don't take me as an example of Theism or anything. Just here to state my opinion on the subject.

[Wallenburg]

Teacher shouldn't be fired, but they should not be allowed to do something like this. I mean, what if a teacher told all of his/her students to pray before class? It's not necessary. I'm christian, but I'd be angry if this was a theist forcing their beliefs upon Atheists. Why can't everybody just accept everybody else's religion/lack thereof and move on? I mean, what does it matter if the Ten commandments are on display in some government place, or if some show supports the theory of evolution or The Big Bang or whatever? I don't like the idea of a future in which nobody is allowed to choose what to believe.

Anyways, I'm stupid, so don't take me as an example of Theism or anything. Just here to state my opinion on the subject.

That's smarter than a lot of what we see from theists on this kind of thread. That's really all that is necessary here, a separation of church and state. Teachers shouldn't criticize students for their faith or lack thereof, or force them to pray, whether in a manner against their faith or lack thereof.

[Thomaion]

Teacher shouldn't be fired, but they should not be allowed to do something like this. I mean, what if a teacher told all of his/her students to pray before class? It's not necessary. I'm christian, but I'd be angry if this was a theist forcing their beliefs upon Atheists. Why can't everybody just accept everybody else's religion/lack thereof and move on? I mean, what does it matter if the Ten commandments are on display in some government place, or if some show supports the theory of evolution or The Big Bang or whatever? I don't like the idea of a future in which nobody is allowed to choose what to believe.

Anyways, I'm stupid, so don't take me as an example of Theism or anything. Just here to state my opinion on the subject.

That's smarter than a lot of what we see from theists on this kind of thread. That's really all that is necessary here, a separation of church and state. Teachers shouldn't criticize students for their faith or lack thereof, or force them to pray, whether in a manner against their faith or lack thereof.

I'm some sort of a modern Iconoclast (not the bloody death metal song), and I think this absolutely abhorrent that a teacher is forcing their beliefs upon a student that is under the age where they would like to/would not like to have this sort of stuff given to them.

[Olthar]

Well, it's true. God, as a figure of ancient stories, is myth. Now, whether or not God is also fact is a matter of opinion.

[Wallenburg]

That's smarter than a lot of what we see from theists on this kind of thread. That's really all that is necessary here, a separation of church and state. Teachers shouldn't criticize students for their faith or lack thereof, or force them to pray, whether in a manner against their faith or lack thereof.

I'm some sort of a modern Iconoclast (not the bloody death metal song), and I think this absolutely abhorrent that a teacher is forcing their beliefs upon a student that is under the age where they would like to/would not like to have this sort of stuff given to them.

Would that be more or less radical than antitheist, or would those two overlap?

[Hastiaka]

This is plain inappropriate. If Atheists are so devoted to drive all aspects of Christianity out of Public Schools, they should practice what they ''preach'' by leaving everyone alone. Hypocrisy at it's best, you didn't have to make that poor girl swallow your personal opinions. I call for Professionalism.

[The Qeiiam Star Cluster]

Oh dear...

Russia Today. Oh dear indeed.

Before the ignorant people come to me saying "Oh, but Atheism isn't a religion!". Yes it is.

No it's not.

Now, on the subject of God's existence, I shall begin with the wonderful myth of Macro-evolution. No, it's just wrong. Not a fact.

Evolution is a fact, not a myth.

You can't possibly claim something as fact when your measurements give a year predating humanity (to our knowledge anyway), because we have no proof that such a year existed.

Someone doesn't understand how science works.

[Free Tristania]

As a Christian, I'm appalled by this. That teacher should have been fired for the reason you stated, among others.

Agreed. And I am secular. Imagine her doing this to a Muslim student: the Left would be up in arms but Christians are now free gain. This is discrimination of religion and the teacher should be sacked.

[The Qeiiam Star Cluster]

Carl Sagan is a myth, and Neil DeGrasse Tyson is not their prophet!

Also Bill Nye is a fraud.

HERESY! Heresy everywhere!

Full Katy ISD Statement:

"Yesterday, October 26, at the end of the school day, two West Memorial Junior High parents contacted the school's principal to share their concern over a classroom activity that they felt questioned students' religious beliefs. The school principal immediately responded to the parents by informing them that she would investigate and meet with the teacher the following morning. At the conclusion of the investigation today, the principal determined that the classroom activity included an item that was unnecessary for achieving the instructional standard. The activity, which was intended to encourage critical thinking skills and dialogue by engaging students in an exercise wherein they identified statements as fact, opinion, or common assertion was not intended to question or challenge any student's religious beliefs as reported by some media outlets.

The teacher is distraught by this incident, as some commentary has gone as far as to vilify her without knowing her, her Christian faith, or the context of the classroom activity. Still, this does not excuse the fact that this ungraded activity was ill-conceived and because of that, its intent had been misconstrued. As a result, the activity will no longer be used by the school, and appropriate personnel action will be taken. The school regrets any misconceptions that may have resulted from this teacher-developed classroom activity and assures its school community that the religious beliefs of all students and staff are welcomed and valued at Memorial Junior High."

Interesting. You've got a link for that though?

[DARGLED]

Oh dear...

Dear Atheists, Christians, and Agnostics about to argue below:

It doesn't matter whether or not God is real. This is not about God. This is about a teacher forcing their religious views upon impressionable children. They should be fired, and never allowed to teach again.

Before the ignorant people come to me saying "Oh, but Atheism isn't a religion!". Yes it is. It requires just as much faith as Christianity. You can't prove God doesn't exist, but you have faith that he does not. So just accept that as fact, because it doesn't make any real difference.

Now, on the subject of God's existence, I shall begin with the wonderful myth of Macro-evolution. No, it's just wrong. Not a fact. You can't possibly claim something as fact when your measurements give a year predating humanity (to our knowledge anyway), because we have no proof that such a year existed. To then claim that the measurement proves such a year exists, is massively ignorant. The measuring method could be entirely wrong, which wouldn't be surprising. Science is knowledge, and knowledge requires facts. Therefore, by definition alone, Macro-evolution is NOT science.

Now, God. God is literally the same basic idea. God is just as scientifically feasible as the Big Bang. Miracles. What are miracles? A miracle is a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency. These happen. I'm not here claiming God is a magical creature, but rather a natural being. One who has achieved a state of understanding to the point where he is able to manipulate matter in a quick and easy way.

Yes, it may sound somewhat ridiculous, but just open your mind to some new ideas. Pride is dominating and completely ruining the Scientific Community today. People are so afraid to admit they're wrong that they manipulate the facts to fit their theories, and this is leading to a group of sheeople that blindly follow their "intelligent" idols. The only difference between Atheism and Christianity is their deity and morals. Christianity follows a single great being incapable of wrong who creates rules for them to follow. Atheism on the other hand, is a religion that worships men that society deems to be "intelligent". They then listen to the aforementioned society and trust on the corrupt being that they are to make a set of rules that they believe are "right" for society.

What should happen to the teacher, and what's your over-all opinion of the situation?

Let the debating begin.

Wow, the ignorance and damn, that is a lot projection. Are you in need of a tissue?
Proof only exists in maths, logic and alcohol.
Not believing that a god exists is as much a religion as not believing that leprechauns exist. I do not believe that a god exists, no faith required.
You cannot 'prove' that there is not a fourteen thousand pound invisible pink polka dotted elephant living my ass. You must have a lot of faith if you believe that it does not exist.
There is only evolution, macro and micro are only descriptors of time.

There is no point in continuing, you are a poe. No one can be this stupid.

[Alvecia]

Oh dear...

Dear Atheists, Christians, and Agnostics about to argue below:

It doesn't matter whether or not God is real. This is not about God. This is about a teacher forcing their religious views upon impressionable children. They should be fired, and never allowed to teach again.

Before the ignorant people come to me saying "Oh, but Atheism isn't a religion!". Yes it is. It requires just as much faith as Christianity. You can't prove God doesn't exist, but you have faith that he does not. So just accept that as fact, because it doesn't make any real difference.

Now, on the subject of God's existence, I shall begin with the wonderful myth of Macro-evolution. No, it's just wrong. Not a fact. You can't possibly claim something as fact when your measurements give a year predating humanity (to our knowledge anyway), because we have no proof that such a year existed. To then claim that the measurement proves such a year exists, is massively ignorant. The measuring method could be entirely wrong, which wouldn't be surprising. Science is knowledge, and knowledge requires facts. Therefore, by definition alone, Macro-evolution is NOT science.

Now, God. God is literally the same basic idea. God is just as scientifically feasible as the Big Bang. Miracles. What are miracles? A miracle is a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency. These happen. I'm not here claiming God is a magical creature, but rather a natural being. One who has achieved a state of understanding to the point where he is able to manipulate matter in a quick and easy way.

Yes, it may sound somewhat ridiculous, but just open your mind to some new ideas. Pride is dominating and completely ruining the Scientific Community today. People are so afraid to admit they're wrong that they manipulate the facts to fit their theories, and this is leading to a group of sheeople that blindly follow their "intelligent" idols. The only difference between Atheism and Christianity is their deity and morals. Christianity follows a single great being incapable of wrong who creates rules for them to follow. Atheism on the other hand, is a religion that worships men that society deems to be "intelligent". They then listen to the aforementioned society and trust on the corrupt being that they are to make a set of rules that they believe are "right" for society.

What should happen to the teacher, and what's your over-all opinion of the situation?

Let the debating begin.

Not sure if ignorant or troll....

[New DeCapito]

If the teacher had been Christian, would this thread exist?

[Thomaion]

um wat is happening

[New DeCapito]

um wat is happening

If you're referring to the pictures, I honestly have no damn idea. Apart from that Aigaig needs to be banned.

[Wallenburg]

This is plain inappropriate. If Atheists are so devoted to drive all aspects of Christianity out of Public Schools, they should practice what they ''preach'' by leaving everyone alone. Hypocrisy at it's best, you didn't have to make that poor girl swallow your personal opinions. I call for Professionalism.

Of course, if we were to show you examples of Christian teachers imposing their beliefs on students, I bet you would say they wouldn't be acting as true Christians and don't represent Christianity trying to drive all other faiths and lack of faith out of the student body.

And yes, if religion has to be driven out of schools to uphold the separation of church and state, it damn well should be!

EDIT: Turns out the teacher is Christian. Care to explain your mudslinging at atheists?

[Soldati Senza Confini]

Oh dear...

Dear Atheists, Christians, and Agnostics about to argue below:

It doesn't matter whether or not God is real. This is not about God. This is about a teacher forcing their religious views upon impressionable children. They should be fired, and never allowed to teach again.

Before the ignorant people come to me saying "Oh, but Atheism isn't a religion!". Yes it is. It requires just as much faith as Christianity. You can't prove God doesn't exist, but you have faith that he does not. So just accept that as fact, because it doesn't make any real difference.

Now, on the subject of God's existence, I shall begin with the wonderful myth of Macro-evolution. No, it's just wrong. Not a fact. You can't possibly claim something as fact when your measurements give a year predating humanity (to our knowledge anyway), because we have no proof that such a year existed. To then claim that the measurement proves such a year exists, is massively ignorant. The measuring method could be entirely wrong, which wouldn't be surprising. Science is knowledge, and knowledge requires facts. Therefore, by definition alone, Macro-evolution is NOT science.

Now, God. God is literally the same basic idea. God is just as scientifically feasible as the Big Bang. Miracles. What are miracles? A miracle is a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency. These happen. I'm not here claiming God is a magical creature, but rather a natural being. One who has achieved a state of understanding to the point where he is able to manipulate matter in a quick and easy way.

Yes, it may sound somewhat ridiculous, but just open your mind to some new ideas. Pride is dominating and completely ruining the Scientific Community today. People are so afraid to admit they're wrong that they manipulate the facts to fit their theories, and this is leading to a group of sheeople that blindly follow their "intelligent" idols. The only difference between Atheism and Christianity is their deity and morals. Christianity follows a single great being incapable of wrong who creates rules for them to follow. Atheism on the other hand, is a religion that worships men that society deems to be "intelligent". They then listen to the aforementioned society and trust on the corrupt being that they are to make a set of rules that they believe are "right" for society.

What should happen to the teacher, and what's your over-all opinion of the situation?

Let the debating begin.

1) What the fuck do you want this to be about?!
2) I don't know where to begin pointing out how hopelessly wrong you are, but let's start by the fact that science does NOT define a person's religious beliefs. It simply doesn't matter while doing scientific work what kind of religion you believe in.

[USS Monitor]

WTF does the shit in the OP have to do with the thread title or the story that was linked?

The teacher might have been out of line, but RT is not a good source, so until I can get a clearer understanding of exactly what happened, using sources other than RT, I am going to withhold judgement on whether she deserves to be fired.

[Soldati Senza Confini]

That being said, as much as I think... Oh wait, even your fucking story is wrong and apparently it was a non-issue made an issue by some fucking mouthbreathers of parents down in Katy Texas, starting with the fact the teacher in question was a Christian.

Welp, what can I say, bub.

[Soldati Senza Confini]

WTF does the shit in the OP have to do with the thread title or the story that was linked?

The teacher might have been out of line, but RT is not a good source, so until I can get a clearer understanding of exactly what happened, using sources other than RT, I am going to withhold judgement on whether she deserves to be fired.

I had to go hound for the story.

It is a non-issue. It was simply an assignment that had students identify what was a fact, an opinion, or an assertion and listed the example of God (which is meh, I mean what the fuck do you want me to say? Whether God exists or not is, like, their opinion man). Two parents felt it questioned religious beliefs and the public, like the fucking mouthbreathers they are (not aided by KHOU, mind) started taking shit out of context to the point of vilifying the woman.

God damn it had to be Texas, worse of all. At least is Katy, where a bunch of fucking hillbillies live.

[The Greater American Confederation]

I wouldn't trust RT to report accurate facts.Even though there's always a risk of false informations I'd rather read this or even this. (Well, I was apparently beaten to it)

According to those sources, the sheet wasn't graded and the teacher was Christian.It was an activity designed to spur dialogue and critical thinking, and it's just what it did, otherwise it wouldn't have made such a fuss.Whether God exists or not is an opinion.You can prove it by quoting the Bible or another scripture, but that proof won't be interpreted the same by everyone.

Aside from this story, religious and political opinions in general should have nothing to do with public schools, except in the case of a debate, but teachers shouldn't teach personal opinions to influenceable children.

[USS Monitor]

WTF does the shit in the OP have to do with the thread title or the story that was linked?

The teacher might have been out of line, but RT is not a good source, so until I can get a clearer understanding of exactly what happened, using sources other than RT, I am going to withhold judgement on whether she deserves to be fired.

I had to go hound for the story.

It is a non-issue. It was simply an assignment that had students identify what was a fact, an opinion, or an assertion and listed the example of God. Two parents felt it questioned religious beliefs and the public, like the fucking mouthbreathers they are (not aided by FOX, mind) started taking shit out of context to the point of vilifying the woman.

God damn it had to be Texas, worse of all. At least is Katy, where a bunch of fucking hillbillies live.

Yeah, seems like some overreactions and irresponsible journalism going around. "Commonplace assertion" is a lot different than "myth," which is how RT misquoted it.

[New DeCapito]

- Snip -

- Snip-

Before the ignorant people come to me saying "Oh, but Atheism isn't a religion!". Yes it is. It requires just as much faith as Christianity. 1. You can't prove God doesn't exist, but you have faith that he does not. 2. So just accept that as fact, because it doesn't make any real difference.

Now, on the subject of God's existence, 3. I shall begin with the wonderful myth of Macro-evolution. No, it's just wrong. Not a fact. You can't possibly claim something as fact when your measurements give a year predating humanity (to our knowledge anyway), 4. because we have no proof that such a year existed. To then claim that the measurement proves such a year exists, is massively ignorant. The measuring method could be entirely wrong, which wouldn't be surprising. Science is knowledge, and knowledge requires facts. 5. Therefore, by definition alone, Macro-evolution is NOT science.

Now, God. God is literally the same basic idea. 6. God is just as scientifically feasible as the Big Bang. Miracles. What are miracles? A miracle is a surprising and welcome event that is not explicable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a divine agency. These happen. I'm not here claiming God is a magical creature, but rather a natural being. One who has achieved a state of understanding to the point where 7. he is able to manipulate matter in a quick and easy way.

Yes, it may sound somewhat ridiculous, but just open your mind to some new ideas. Pride is dominating and completely ruining the Scientific Community today. People are so afraid to admit they're wrong that 8. they manipulate the facts to fit their theories, and this is leading to a group of 9. sheeople that blindly follow their "intelligent" idols. The only difference between Atheism and Christianity is their deity and morals. 10. Christianity follows a single great being incapable of wrong who creates rules for them to follow. 11. Atheism on the other hand, is a religion that 12. worships men that society deems to be "intelligent". They then listen to the aforementioned society and trust on the 13. corrupt being that they are to make a set of rules that they believe are "right" for society.

14. What should happen to the teacher, and what's your over-all opinion of the situation?

Let the debating begin.

1. On the contrary. Science has proved pretty much all of the Bible to be inaccurate or impossible, and seeing as that is your sole evidence for a god's existence, I can say that there is a high chance you are wrong.
2. It is not you who determines what is factual.
3. It's always good to be able to see what your religious orientation is just by skimming through the text.
4. Carbon dating has proved otherwise.
5. Point above. Evolution is clearly scientific.
6. Prove the existence of God with a radar dish and some equations. No? I didn't think you could.
7. By the very phrasing of that sentence, you have made it redundant. Anything can manipulate matter. Typing on a computer requires the manipulation of matter. By merely moving the air, you are doing that.
8. It is a shame that some people do do this. They are quickly put down by the rest of the scientific community See original study of vaccines and autism.
9. Poe's Law. I have never seen the word 'sheeple' used seriously before.
10. Who happens to be undetectable by normal means and who has never affected anyone in any great way. He might as well not exist.
11. This. This is how we determine if we are right. Back up your hypotheses with evidence.
12. Google gives 'worship' to mean 'the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity'. Science is not a deity.
13. Proof. Give it.

14. Ah, the teacher? They need to let the children decide for themselves what is right.