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Author Topic:   Which religion's creation story should be taught?
LDSdude
Inactive Member


Message 92 of 331 (178264)
01-18-2005 4:58 PM


Just the basics!
After America's founding, Religion was to be taught in schools. The founding fathers knew that it was wrong to teach a certain religion, so Benjamin Franklin wrote as to what should be taught:
You desire to know something of my religion. It is the first time I have been questioned upon it. But I cannot take your curiosity amiss, and shall endeavor in a few words to gratify it.
Here is my creed.
I believe in one God, the creator of the universe.
That he governs by his providence.
That he ought to be worshipped.
That the most acceptable service we render to him is doing good to his other children.
That the soul of man is immortal, and will be treated with justice in another life respecting its conduct in this.
These I take to be the fundamental points in all sound religion, and I regard them as you do in whatever sect I meet with them.
As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire,
I think his system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, the best the world ever saw or is likely to see; but I apprehend it has received various corrupting changes,
and I have, with most of the present dissenters in England, some doubts as to his divinity; though it is a question I do not dogmatize upon, having never studied it, and think it needless to busy myself with it now, when I expect soon an opportunity of knowing the truth with less trouble.
I see no harm, however, in its being believed, if that belief has the good consequences, as probably it has, of making his doctrines more respected and more observed;
especially as I do not perceive that the Supreme takes it amiss, by distinguishing the unbelievers in his government of the world with any peculiar marks of his displeasure.
Benj. Franklin, Letter to Ezra Stiles, 9 March 1790, in John Bigelow, ed., The Works of Benjamin Franklin, at 12:185-86 (New York: Putnam’s, 1904) (paragraphing edited and bullets added for readability).
This is the best method because it shows the views of all religions without breaking the first amendment.

Replies to this message:
 Message 93 by pink sasquatch, posted 01-18-2005 5:07 PM LDSdude has not replied
 Message 95 by crashfrog, posted 01-24-2005 5:04 PM LDSdude has not replied

  
LDSdude
Inactive Member


Message 97 of 331 (180599)
01-25-2005 8:21 PM


Ben Franklins story can be found and explained at earlyamerica.com/lives/franklin/chapt9/
It is true that nowadays you can find all sorts of religions, but if we have to drop "one God" to acomadate certain peoples, fine. And as for atheists, I don't recall mentioning that Creationism is the ONLY thing that can be taught. I think Evolution is also something every student should be aquainted with. Only it should be taught as theory, not stated in the factual sense it is now. Creationism should also only be taught as theory. It is not impossible to teach creationism in school while keeping the first amendment.

Replies to this message:
 Message 98 by Coragyps, posted 01-25-2005 8:27 PM LDSdude has not replied
 Message 99 by Jazzns, posted 01-25-2005 8:34 PM LDSdude has not replied

  
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