An Unsung Hero

Ok, obviously, the NY Times article A Teacher on the Front Line as Faith and Science Clash has struck a nerve with me. What I have been most disturbed by, however, is the responses I've read to the article. In the midst of it all, there is one person of integrity and courage who is getting very mistreated in the various responses I've read.

Take the following quote from PZ Meyers in his blog, Pharyngula:

It's gotten so bad that it's not just parents and students who are
opposing good science education, it's some of the teachers
themselves. One of Campbell's fellow biology teachers is busily
inculcating students with stupidity, too.

Animals do adapt to their environments, Ms. Yancey tells
her students, but evolution alone can hardly account for
the appearance of wholly different life forms. She leaves it
up to them to draw their own conclusions. But when
pressed, she tells them, "I think God did it."
...

That that woman is a public school science teacher is an
indictment of the educational system in this country.

There were other similar sentiments in the Reader Comments attached the the NY Times article, itself, such as this one:

Hooray for David Campbell! We need more teachers like him.And
we need less teachers like Teresa Yancey, the second teacher
mentioned in the article. If the article's description of her
approach to teaching evolution is accurate, then I would
seriously question her qualifications as a "biology teacher".
— MT,
Washington, DC

Ms. Yancey, as a public school teacher who believes in a Creator God, is in a very difficult position, and I think she deserves applause for her handling of this very difficult subject and for being willing to stand against the status quo and to tell the Truth when asked. The fact that so many people around the internet are calling her an example of a bad teacher is tragic. I for one, want to stand up and yell, "Way to go, Ms. Yancey!! Keep up the good work!!" And to all the other Ms. Yancey's out there...stay strong - our children need you!

Beginning of School Year is a Call to Prayer

It's that time of year that every parent eagerly anticipates and children await with mixed feelings... Back to School!!!

We have two milestones in our family this year. My oldest is starting his Freshman year of High School! Meanwhile, my second child is starting Pre-School!! Talk about both ends of the spectrum!! For the last few weeks, our house has been buzzing with excitement as we have attended Open House for the preschool, filled out paperwork, reviewed high school schedules, did all the back to school shopping, etc. My daughter is probably going to burst if school doesn't start soon. My son, on the other hand wouldn't mind a reprieve from a slightly scary year ahead of him!

Over the last few days, that feeling of excitement for me has turned to a call to prayer. It all started when I spotted this article in last week's New York Time's: A Teacher On the Front Line as Faith and Science Clash. I can't decide if I'm more disturbed by the article or the comments after the article. The article details a science teacher's efforts to further the teaching of evolution in our public schools, and specifically his efforts to change the thinking of the Chirstian students in his class. The comments after the article are filled with the idea that evolution is the only "scientific" and "reasonable" theory, and that those of us still clinging to Creationism are "backwards" and "unthinking". Regardless of which is most disturbing, it is very clear that there is a battle being fought for the minds of our children!

The battle is in progress, but are we as Christian parents even fighting, or will we lose by default? As pointed out by an Answers in Genesis response to the NY Times article,

The close look Harmon’s article takes at evolutionary indoctrination in the classroom is a strong reminder of the battle over the minds of the next generation. With increasing state-granted authority, evolutionists are pursuing the minds of children up to five days a week. How can an untrained Christian youth—even if he or she attends church each week, which is increasingly a rarity—compete with that level of indoctrination? While we encourage our readers to learn about and understand evolution (yes, you heard that right—why would we be afraid of it if God’s Word is Truth?), parents and Christian leaders must commit to teaching and equipping the next generation...

If we aren't teaching our children the Truth with as much passion and intelligence as those who teach their pet theories, how are we preparing our children for the critical thinking required in order to stand for what they know is true in the face of what may seem like logical arguments?

Even more importantly, though, our biggest weapon has got to be prayer. Prayer that our children will remember what we have taught them at home. Prayer that God will help them discern truth and facts from opinions and propoganda. Beyond the classroom, our children need prayer that they will remain strong to their values in the face of peer pressure. With pressures from media, educators, and peers, our children are truly in the heat of the battle. They need our prayers more now than ever!!

Thought for Today

"Our most pressing obligation today is to do all in our power to obtain a revival that will result in a reformed, revitalized, purified church."
-- A.W. Tozer