Mode of the Debate: Targeting Children

My opinion is it has more to do with the publishers than anything else. Christian publishing companies are very specialized. These publishers know that in a Fundamentalist Christian household, the material children are exposed to is strictly controlled, and they give the parents what they want to see.In the Secular world, children are exposed to a wide range of books and materials, and have some degree of choice as to what they can read. I do not think Publishers would find a storybook or songbook on Evolution to be popular with children. My opinion is when it comes to popularising science, most young children are more likely to be fascinated with other topics that are more tangible. Also, I don't think evolution can be properly taught to young children in this age period. They may be able to repeat lines they read in a storybook, but they probably won't have the slightest idea what the larger picture is.Also, I do not have children yet, but in lieu of books, I would prefer to give them a tool that lets them explore; something like a telescope, microscope, or Radio Shack electricty kit. I would think this would do much more in stimulating their minds, giving them the impetus to think independantly, and allow them to come to the conclusion that Science can be fun. This may spark their interest to learn more. Children can get bored very quickly.Edited by Grizz, : No reason given.

I see it more as isolating the children from the 'evils' of the secular world rather than truth; after all, their beliefs are accepted by them as the truth.I am an avid skier in the winter and once a year help a fundamentalist church youth group with a week-long ski trip. On my annual all-expense paid trip with the group there usually are 20 or so kids, most of them home-schooled.I am probably one of the very few 'secular' adults the kids are exposed to and I think they kind of use me as a lesson for the kids in how to convert the 'unsaved' - they are always trying to convert me.The children are exceedingly polite and well behaved, and in this regards the parents have done an outstanding job. I sense a naive view about the real world, however, and this is no doubt due to the parents excessive efforts at control. Even on a ski trip there is a list of rules that border on the insane - for instance, whenever boys and girls are together, no matter where or when, they must be accompanied by an adult, even while riding a chairlift.I have discussed this with the pastor before. He implied the level of control that the parents place on the kids is meant to prevent any exposure to temptation or evil. Evolution is never brought up in these conversations. Rather, issues like pornography, sex, drugs, ect. seem to be the concern. They see evil lurking at every turn, waiting to seduce their kids. It is a neurosis or hysteria.Most of these families home school their kids and there is no cable TV, and they strictly limit what they watch. I asked him if this might be counter-productive as one day they are going to have to go out and get a job in the real 'secular' world. His reply was, by that time their level of Christian maturity will be at a level where they are able to handle the evils that are thrown at them.My goal is not meant to dictate to others how to raise their kids, but the level of control I see borders on the insane. Once they are free I suspect some of the kids will probably let loose and party like madmen(or madwomen ).