I know I go to a school with a large number of kids who are supposed to be smart, hence the vigorous application process of the IBT (International Business and Technology) program, but there is a serious scarcity of people with which I can have an educated discussion. I mean, sure, people know how to operate their computers, but others have to ask what "habiller" means in French... (to wear by the way). Anyway, the point is, I am craving educated discussion. I have a question and want academic answers in the comments okay?
Okay, here is the question: How do they teach science in Catholic schools?
Now, at first you may wonder "What type of question is that?" but it does have meaning behind it. What I mean to say is, a large portion of Catholicism and Christianity revolves around the fact that God created the universe and all of us are his creation. Well, in science when you have to explain the fundamentals of the universe (Big Bang Theory) how do the teachers go about doing that? All of the teachers are Catholic and of course that could mean the science teacher is also Catholic. Would they simply ignore ground on which their religion was made and teach the scientific truth? Don't they oppose it? Don't they think cloning is immoral? How does this work?
Please comment.
41 comments:
The best kids to ask would be Cardinal kids, BUT, if I were a Catholic(not gonna happen) science teacher, I would discuss the Biblical way and the Big Bang Theory. I wouldn't say "This one is fact and this one is not," but rather just teach what each one claims and let the students make up their own minds.
Parents can't protest, I don't get fired, kids know both sides like the back of their hand.
I'm missing a point that I was going to make, but if I remember I'll tell you.
I have friends who went to Catholic schools, and I know many Catholics themselves who are science majors. I think, it's all about keeping faith tradition and science separate, and Catholic schools have been doing that successfully for a while. They have some of the highest standards known when it comes to education. Even in India, people brag about how their children studied in 'convent schools'!
Jessica: Given that there is some form of religious instruction at Catholic schools at all times, I am sure you'll only have to restrict yourself to teaching non-Creationist evolutionary theories.
Oh and, as a general note, I am going to be giving a speech on stem cell research soon. There are protesters on campus these days, protesting against abortion. This should be very interesting.
@A: Interesting perception... I have to agree that I hear Indian families bragging about their convent school status all the time, but the question still remains, how do they manage to do it? After reading "Angels and Demons" it's hard not to questions these things. By the way, I wish you luck for the presentation. Be sure to let us know how it goes.
umm... no idea o.o
Aw Matt, come on, say something!
erp 00!
religion talk!
sorry but i don't do religion or science talk XDD
maybe maths? :D?
But why Caulin?
well... you see Christians (I'm one... Catholic to be exact) never really bother with the ideas of creation because quite frankly it's of no consequence to us (the normal folks)... Christianity is a way of life based of the life and teachings of Jesus and THAT is the 'ground' on which the religion was made. It's true that the hollywoodian version of 'The creation' starts the Christian bible (I believe it's the same for all Abrahamic religions) but it never plays an important role in our modes of worship or prayer, we quite simply follow the teachings of Jesus... so I guess this allows us to not be too tormented about the big bang theory... the church however has a problem with this because they, like judges in a supreme court need to uphold the 'constitution' if they let one law/principle/belief slide then how will they safe gaurd the others?
S
Fine..
Mayhaps (through much deliberation and speculation, though no true experience) Catholic schools teach science in two ways, depending upon the school district. Where it is legal, they teach Creationism, and where it isn't, they teach a sort of God-infused evolutionary theory. Perhaps they also teach regular science, but infuse it with biblical teachings and such. I believe that the only difference in scientific instruction is on the issue of creationism.
If I were a qualified teacher in a Catholic school, I'd probably let them see both sides, see how both science and religion MIGHT fit together, and let them decide for thmselves.
I find that I agree with S on most, if not all his terms, especially the last part in which people think that if they don't cover all the bases, one piece might fall into another and the whole belief of Christianity/Catholic religion falls into shambles.
But just thinking out loud, I have no problem thnking that the big bang and the creationist theory go hand in hand. If God is God, then surely He has no problem creating the Big Bang. And, under the same principle, why should He have any problem splitting it all into 7 days/periods?
But that's just me thinking out loud.
And I'm Christian, if anyone ddn't know.
GossipGuy brings up a good point in regards to the fact that Catholic schools teach religion.
But when I was on the Cardinal site I noticed that a lot of the course outlines used to mention an infusion with Christian principles(they changed it though).
Although I'm not a Christian, S's comment seems to make the most sense.
And the Big Bang DID happen. (just saying, :))
Yeah, I find I agree with S and GossipGuy the most. I just find it interesting to ponder the many ways the creationist theory and the "Big Bang" theory go hand in hand. The very fact that the "Big Bang Theory" was developed by a priest doesn't cease to amaze me. I believe his name was Georges Lemaitre.
How do you know so much?
Why ask how? She probably reads encyclopedias for fun.
And I'm not saying the big bang; I said that it was quite possible for God to use the Big Bang as a means of creating the universe.
No I don't! Wikipedia is technically a website... It was possible. It makes much more sense than the evolution theory.
I know what you said, Jameson, I was just pointing out that if anyone firmly believes that the Big Bang did NOT happen, they need to spend some time in a library.
And how does evolution not make sense?
@Ghazal , because i is atheist and i hate it when people start getting into a discussion about religion. if i don't believe it , i don't believe i have to hear or discuss it either.
and i HATE science
But reading Wikipedia for fun? O.o
I see.
And was that last question meant for me, or Ghazal?
I don't read it for fun, I was just saying I prefer it to encyclopedias. More realism in a twisted way. As for the evolution thing, it just seems too far-fetched for me. Though, I prefer it to "the creation". No offense to anyone who does.
@Caulin: I was under the impression that you were Catholic... Is Sam an atheist too?
@Jameson: By the way, I hear you have gotten taller. I need to see you.
@Ghazal ....you thought i was catholic? XD
but yes , i don't deal with religion at all.
yes Sam is an Atheist too :) its the only reason my friend Michael stopped liking Sam.
@Ghazal ....you thought i was catholic? XD
but yes , i don't deal with religion at all.
yes Sam is an Atheist too :) its the only reason my friend Michael stopped liking Sam.
Double comment! Actually, I don't know why I thought you were Catholic, I guess it just seemed to fit.
@Caulin! Yay, atheist friend! And you make a good point, but personally I'm one for controversy :)
Last question was meant for anyone who could answer it, and evolution DID happen, we discussed it in science class today.
Wait, let me get this straight: Ghazal's athiest but with cretionism belief (?), I'm Christian, Jessica and Caulin are athiests, S is Catholic, and Gossipguy is unknown, but probably not Catholic.
Why does everyone say I've grown??
Yeah, he did say that. And I agree with the fact that evolution DID happen. But didn't he also say that evolution never did anything fast? I swear I heard him say that there was this gap between frogs and dogs existing, and not enough time for evolution to do that.
Wait, let me get this straight: Ghazal's athiest but with cretionism belief (?), I'm Christian, Jessica and Caulin are athiests, S is Catholic, and Gossipguy is unknown, but probably not Catholic.
Why does everyone say I've grown??
Yeah, he did say that. And I agree with the fact that evolution DID happen. But didn't he also say that evolution never did anything fast? I swear I heard him say that there was this gap between frogs and dogs existing, and not enough time for evolution to do that.
Wait, let me get this straight: Ghazal's athiest but with cretionism belief (?), I'm Christian, Jessica and Caulin are athiests, S is Catholic, and Gossipguy is unknown, but probably not Catholic.
Why does everyone say I've grown??
Yeah, he did say that. And I agree with the fact that evolution DID happen. But didn't he also say that evolution never did anything fast? I swear I heard him say that there was this gap between frogs and dogs existing, and not enough time for evolution to do that.
Oops.
Oops is right. I was about to wonder what just happened, it surely does not classify as deja vu.
@Jameson: I am not an atheist! I am a Sikh, and as a Sikh I have a different take on the creationist theory, though I suppose reading the bible does provide some perspective. Also, I think everyone says you have grown... because you have. It didn't take a genius to come up with that. Also, I hope you don't mind, I kind of told Kanishkan that you were mad at him.
My bad, then. Sorry.
When? Why?
whats with my double post and Jamesons triple post? o0?
@Jameson: It's alright, don't sweat it. As for telling Kanishkan that, I was joking. I think he believed me for a minute, but when I started to laugh he understood that I was joking. Just a warning though, if he asks you, you know what to say.
Oooh... Sikh... I've heard of it, but I never really took the time to examine/study it. Sounds interesting :)
It is. It was formed on a basis of discipleship.
I found a brochure in my car about Sikhism once. It is definitely interesting(And I don't mean interesting like "o.o WTF" interesting, I really do mean it's interesting.)
Thanks. :) That means a lot coming from you.
:)
Awww!
Eep, headache...(I find the most random places to complain)
My mom says I should be Buddhist o.o
:) **Huggle**
She does? What made her say that? Do you want Nirvana?
o.o Nirvana is enlightenment, right?
I was tempted to be a Buddhist rather than a Catholic, but...
the thing is... I don't know any Buddhists DX
You could always search for some Buddhist temples in your area. Yes, Nirvana is enlightenment, kind of like the pinnacle of humanity.
mmk o.o good idea
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