School District Battles Over "An Inconvenient Truth"
by Sean Fisher, Cincinnati, Ohio on 01.12.07
"Condoms don't belong in school, and neither does Al Gore." Now that's the kind of press Gore needed for his 2000 presidential run! From yesterday's Seattle Post-Intelligencer comes the story of a Washington school district where showings of "An Inconvenient Truth" have sparked a bit of controversy. After his son was shown the movie in class, an angry parent wrote to the school board and complained the movie was "a very cockeyed version of what the truth is." What is the truth you might ask? "The Bible says that in the end times everything will burn up," he added, "but that perspective isn't in the DVD." While not many of us used the Bible in science class (and I even went to a Catholic high school), the school board acquiesced - future showings of the movie now not only have to be approved by the principal and superintendent of the school, a "credible, opposing view" must be presented as well. Whether or not one's spiritual beliefs count as a credible opposing view or not unfortunately wasn't stated.
While on the subject of "An Inconvenient Truth," we invite you to give us your own credible viewpoint on global warming by entering our Convenient Truths contest and showing us what you are doing to reduce your carbon emissions.
This is amazing. What's next,? You have to provide a alternative viewpoint in math class, physics (flat earth society, anyone) and chemistry?
Reminds me of this:
http://cosmicvariance.com/wp-images/Teachboththeories3.gif
So many parents are completely unengaged in their schools, and when one actaully speaks up, he/she gets attention. These idiocies need to be publicized, because it's a symptom that the school board needs to be replaced. It's already worked in Pennsylvania and (partially) in Kansas.
ridiculous.
Wow! So should we then wait until God burns us and just not do anything? Maybe they should think why then God gave us a brain, if its really just to sit around and wait for our house to collapse?
Even if Gore's movie is very propagandistic of his own figure, I don't mind it, he is very intelligent and pleasant and is in his own way making people aware that if we are not having snow in NYC is because there is something wrong with nature. The reality is that most people in this world don't care and others like these parents simply don't get it.
Sweet. You have to realize that not everybody shares the same beliefs as you do.
While I do believe that the points are valid in the film, some of the facts didn't have a supporting background. In a screening at my liberal arts college, this was a major turnoff to some of the viewers and had many others questioning the integrity.
Uh oh... Apparently, I need to sell off all of my Patagonia clothing & quit eating organic... I mean, protecting the earth might slow down the Armageddon! I wouldn't want to be a blasphemer. Anybody wanna go burn some oil for fun?
Uh oh... Apparently, I need to sell off all of my Patagonia clothing & quit eating organic... I mean, protecting the earth might slow down the Armageddon! I wouldn't want to be a blasphemer. Anybody wanna go burn some oil for fun?
I know that I'm preaching to the choir, but that's ridiculous. There is no "credible opposing view" to present. It's science!
I don't see a problem here. I mean, the requirement is just that a "credible, opposing view" to global warming be offered, right?
hmm... a credible, opposing view. Can you think of one?
Neither can I. (and I'm sure they chose that language on purpose.)
Case closed.
A credible opposing view would be the people who think it's a natural cycle of Earth's climate or something of that matter. A credible opposing view is not "God knows"
If the parent want his child to have a different point of view, then it is his responsibility to share it with his son.
The education sytem is not about fairness and balanced views, its about teaching children about the world, and allowing them to pick thier own view. Expanding the mind is what teaching is all about. Picking thier view is what being in a free country is all about.
Not showing this point of view would be irresponsible as it is a major dilema of our era. They need to know, even if your beliefs don't rely on science. The kid doesn't have to agree with it.
In a country so empassioned over free speach and freedom of religion beliefs, there seems to be a lot of mixing of religion and science.
While that parent has a right to say his view, I wouldnt want him to impose his view on my child. That is my right, and my son's.