Why Does Public Education Censor Academic Freedom?

I was reminded again yesterday how public education continues to censor free speech.

A Zogby Poll, conducted between January 29 and 31, found that 80% of Americans, "Agree that teachers and students should have the academic freedom to discuss both the strengths and weaknesses of evolution as a scientific theory."

Only 14% agreed with the statement that teachers, "Should teach only Darwin's theory of evolution and the scientific evidence that supports it," and that's down from 21% in 2006.

Darwin himself wrote in his book, "Origin of Species," "A fair result can be obtained only by fully stating and balancing the facts and arguments on both sides of each question."

Why does public education insist on presenting his theory as scientific fact, yet completely ignore his instruction on having an open debate about his theory?

I can tell you why and give you the solution.

I can also tell you how a growing number of students are reacting to this censorship in the classroom.

Public education in America has an extremely secular social agenda. We see it in the considerations of the origins of life, the sanctity of life and every issue where consideration of Judeo-Christian ethics and principles could be a viable consideration.

How do they get away with this kind of censorship? The only way they know. By doing what they do at Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, the Fourth of July, Memorial Day and any other day that might in some way take on some moral or Christian significance. They marginalize the day by elevating some obscure event or celebration and censoring the traditional and historical importance of any given event they deem inappropriate or " religious" in nature.

And this is done, as you know, under the myth of "separation of church and state" or the "establishment clause" which doesn't even support their far-left positions. If per chance, they get weak-kneed and think about using the word Christmas or some such thing, the ALCU is there to threaten a lawsuit.

However, there's good news. The Darwin-only crowd is falling out of favor with the general public. It has been their way for the past 5 or 6 generations, but this recent Zogby Poll and previous polls show a growing division between public education as usual and the public's willingness to accept censorship.

Public education is isolating itself from public opinion.

The answer?

School choice.

Neal McClusky of the Cato Institute has said, "When we have public schools that everyone has to fund, then everyone is paying for a single answer."

School choice is the only answer. More money will not fix the problem. There is a strong record to prove it.

Censorship, however, is not the only problem public education is facing.

With their considerable commitment to a so-called "values neutral" education, they are aggressively teaching material, particularly in sex-ed, that indoctrinates rather than educates in critical areas such as sexuality.

I will tell you, there is considerable discussion around Washington State that if the present domestic partnership expansion of rights bills become law, the resulting effect on sex-education curriculum will cause a massive withdrawal of children from public schools.

In it's isolation from public opinion and it's immersion in the secularist and gay rights agenda, I am certain the NEA will continue to fiddle as Rome burns, continuing in their aggressive agenda and their indifference and some times defiance towards families of faith and conservatives. And they will do so under the false delusion that their people in elected office and the "not as elite as we are" folks in the cities and neighborhoods will continue to respond to their threats of school closure, reduced classes and the like by continuing to somehow come up with more money.

There is a crack in the dyke---so to speak.

In addition to discussions around the state regarding the viability of public schools in regard to curriculum, there is a national youth movement under way to respond to censorship in the classroom. A growing number of kids are celebrating what they call "Academic Freedom Day." And they have declared the annual event to be celebrated on Darwin's birthday each year. I have linked to their web site. Check it out.

Noah Webster, the father of public education in America, wrote in his book, "History of the United States," published in 1832:

"The brief exposition of the Constitution of the United States, will unfold to young persons the principles of republican government; and it is the sincere desire of the writer that our citizens should early understand that the genuine source of correct republican principles is the Bible, particularly the New Testament or the Christian religion....The moral principles and precepts contained in the Scriptures ought to form the basis of all of our civil constitutions and laws."

Take a step back. Take a deep breath and realize where we came from.

You are not a right wing extremist because you believe in traditional values and hold a biblical worldview.

As you stand for morality and moral values based on Scripture, you are not only standing for the principles that caused this county to become the greatest country in the world, but you are standing shoulder to shoulder with those who founded this great enterprise.

Abraham Lincoln once said, "To sit by in silence when they should protest, makes cowards of men."

This is not a time to be silent.

God bless you.

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Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Irony on Lincoln's Birthday

Thanks to all who made calls regarding expansion of domestic partnership rights, a.k.a. gay marriage. We will keep you in the loop as the House progresses on HB 1727.

We are also watching the companion Senate Bill 5688.

Thank you for your financial support. We would not be here with out it. Donate.
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Irony on Lincoln's Birthday

I am not the only one who remembers the fleet of bills that were floated in the 60's that were going to lift the nation's poor out of poverty.

We heard terms like, "The War On Poverty" and the "Great Society". President Johnson was going to end poverty---forever. He declared his Presidency a time for change. He promised to not just address the symptoms of poverty, but the causes.

Trillions of dollars later, instead of solving economic problems, government welfare-socialism has created both moral and spiritual problems. The kinds of problems that are inevitable when you turn responsibility of your life over to others.

Perhaps the black community has suffered most from this miscarriage.

It is ironic that this is happening again, through a misguided and sometimes corrupt Congress with the unrestrained support of America's first black President---on Abraham Lincoln's birthday.

A woman who has seen the industry of poverty from the inside of what she calls, "Uncle Sam's Plantation" and has found her way out into personal freedom, can tell the story much better than I can.

Starr Parker has written a poignant column titled, "Back On Uncle Sam's Plantation."

She says following President Johnson's "Economic Opportunity Act" of 1964 and the spending of trillions of dollars, black poverty is the same. But black families are not, with triple the incidence of single-parent homes and out-of-wedlock births.

She describes the return to the plantation and observes that this time, not only is the black community invited to Uncle Sam's Plantation, but industry as well through the massive bailout for nearly everyone who wants more money.

This socialistic scheme was not conceived in liberty, nor is it dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. It steals the essence of freedom, liberty and self reliance.

This column is a must read.

I would pray the closing words of the Gettysburg Address, "That we here highly resolve these dead shall not have died in vain---that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom---and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."

God help us.

Happy Birthday, President Lincoln.

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Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Mike Huckabee: "Stimulus Bill is Anti-Religious"

Thank you for your response to our alert yesterday asking that you specifically call Jamie Pederson (D) 360-786-7826, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and respectively tell his office you strongly oppose HB 1727 and to call House Minority Leader Richard DeBolt (R) 360-786-7896, and tell his office you strongly oppose the bill and that you appreciate his leadership.

I have already received many emails telling me you have made the calls.

There are a number of messages out today asking you to call your Representatives and tell them you oppose gay marriage or "No" on gay marriage. Calls are good, but our request was specifically crafted yesterday in private consultation with lawmakers who are on our side. This is a process. The other side is the majority--for now. We feel these two calls will be most helpful as we move through this process. And they must be made by today. More action will be required later.

What ever else you feel you want to do is great, but please make those two specific calls today.
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Mike Huckabee: "Stimulus Bill is Anti-Religious"

Much has been said about the stimulus bill that many feel will dramatically move us further toward socialism and saddle our children and grand children with a debt they can't pay.

The "pork" in the bill continues to be documented and those who best know these things are saying the bill does very little in the short run, but is a set up for the future---say about 3 or 4 years from now.

But Mike Huckabee says it is anti-religious and, "you would think the ACLU drafted the bill."

He posted an email on his blog yesterday that says, "The dust is settling on the "bipartisan" stimulus bill and one thing is clear: It is anti-religious."

He points out a provision in both the House and Senate versions banning higher education funds in the bill from being used on a "school or department of divinity."

He says, "For all the talk about bipartisanship, this Congress is blatantly liberal."

Indeed, Mr. Huckabee.

He notes that Emily's List, radical environmental groups and others like them are all seated at the decision making table these days and there may not be a lot conservatives can do in the near term, but he is advocating mobilization to defeat those, "masquerading as conservative Democrats."

I would add, there are some "masquerading" Republicans that should also be defeated by conservatives.

He says, "We cannot afford to sit round one out, because if we do, they will only become more emboldened and their grab for power more audacious and damaging to our country and our freedoms."

Well said.

This is not a time to be silent.

_________________
Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Baby Thrown Out in Biohazard Bag

Sycloria Williams had decided to get an abortion.

The 18-year-old had paid her $1200 to terminate her 23-week pregnancy and had checked in to the clinic where Dr. Pierre Jean-Jacque-Renelique was to perform the procedure.

However, Williams went into labor early and delivered a live birth.

After seeing the baby, she had a change of heart and wanted to keep the child.

What happened next is unbelievable. Now she has filed a lawsuit.

CBNNEWS reported, "To her shock, however, instead of putting the baby into a care unit, one of the clinic's owners cut the child's umbilical cord, placed her in a biohazard bag and threw her away."

The police later found the body and an autopsy confirmed that her baby's lungs had filled with air before she was put in the bag, meaning she was 'born alive'.

Now Williams is suing 13 medical workers including the clinic's owners.

Tom Brejcha, president of The Thomas Moore Society said, "The baby was just treated like a piece of garbage."

Jill Stanek, executive director of bornalivetruth.org, told CBN News that this is not unusual. In fact, she said, "It's not unusual for doctors to have charts and medical records changed to show babies as 'still born' when they really are 'born alive'."

We are creating a culture of death rather than life.

When our kids are taught we are the result of random selection, there is no God, no hereafter, no apparent purpose for life other than the moment, no absolutes, no consequences for personal actions and truth is relative--it is what you think it is, should these kinds of acts surprise us?

Without a God or a Creator there are no rights other than those given by whom ever is in political power at any given time. Personal rights and freedoms are diminished, then eliminated.

I have spent much time in such countries.

Our Founding Fathers understood the truth of rights and freedoms being a gift from God and that life was a God given right. They built the greatest country in history on that principle.

If we do not return to our founding principles, we will continue to stagger toward our ultimate destruction.

God help us.

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Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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Darwin and His Problem

Thank you for the outstanding attendance at the Olympia hearings on gay rights, aka. gay marriage, last Thursday. We are carefully monitoring the bills and will alert you to the appropriate response as quickly as the Legislature begins to move. In the mean time, we are working to persuade undecided lawmakers to vote for traditional marriage and reject these, "Trojan horse" bills.
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Darwin and His Problem

Your school children will hear a great deal about Darwin this week in public school. The secularists are preparing to further elevate him as they celebrate his 200th birthday this Thursday, February 12.

The Seattle PI has already carried a preparation article, extolling and pointing out the significance of his "theory" and how it made fundamentalist-type religious people furious, both then and now.

The PI story points out that Darwin's wife was deeply religious, and because of that he held back the release of his book, "The Origin of Species By Means of Natural Selection" until he and his wife could talk it through.

In the end she said, "Don't change any of your ideas for fear of hurting me."

He didn't.

This week there will be more than 300 celebrations in Britain alone, with month-long festivities in his home town of Shrewshury.

Public schools in America will also take advantage of the opportunity to elevate the man and his theory, which they have already elevated to the level of "science".

I'm writing this today to both alert and hopefully inform you and your school age child.

Bob Bloomfield, a director at London's Museum of Natural History, told Associated Press, "He [Darwin] knew he had to make an absolutely iron-cast case for his theory. He was one of the earliest true scientists where everything he was prepared to write about had to be based on evidence."

Therein is the heart of the big lie.

Darwin had a problem then and his problem is even more obvious and telling today.

Here's his problem. And it will be helpful for kids in public classroom to know this as well. Especially this week.

His problem is lack of Evidence. His entire premise is that he had evidence. In fact, he did not.

George Bernard Shaw was known to have said, a number of times, "No one in the biological sciences, medicine included, needs Darwinism at all. Darwinism is certainly needed, however, in order to pose as a philosopher, since it is primarily a worldview. And an awful one."

The evidence is overwhelming that Darwin never presented the evidence he claimed to support his theory.

The Darwin revolution was philosophical, not scientific.

For those intent on advancing a completely secular, often atheist worldview, Darwin was an answer to prayer---so to speak.

He remains a great opportunity to undermine biblical creation, while advancing what seems to be an elite, scientific "fact".

Atheists love it and the opportunity has not been lost on the public school system in America.

Darwin's followers, who create your child or grandchild's textbooks on the subject, claim they have "overwhelming evidence" supporting his theory, yet in the 150 years since his idea was published, no one---NO ONE, has ever observed the origin of a new species by natural selection---much less the origin of new organs and body plans.

There is a world class organization located in Seattle that has created, perhaps the largest body of evidence, exposing Darwinism for what it is. Before you go to the website of the Discovery Institute however, I would strongly recommend you read an article published last week in Forbes titled "The Problem Of Evidence." It is an excellent article that will give you and your child, depending on their age, some wonderful thoughts or talking points if needed.

The article is written by Jonathan Wells, who holds a doctorate in theology from Yale and a doctorate in biology from Berkeley. He is also an author and a senior fellow at the Discovery Institute.

There are several bullet points in the article that can be very helpful.

Darwinism is another example of philosophy driving science rather than allowing facts to lead toward the truth.

God bless you and your family.

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Gary Randall
President
Faith & Freedom

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