I am trying to understand all of the increasing violence and twisted social, political, and ethical issues burning in virtually every country of the world today. Why is it happening? How do we fix it?
Rockets are still aimed at people to this day despite the lessons of history. How is it possible that one group of people can have such hate for another that they will raid their homes and brutalize women and children? What drives a man to chop off the head of a baby and feel as though he is doing the right thing?
How is it possible that gender identity issues and sexuality are being brought into public grade schools and put before children who still believe in the tooth fairy, the Easter Bunny, and Santa Claus? It seems like either pure evil or pure insanity or possibly both.
I believe that the root cause lies within a diminished educational balance that includes science and religion. Education is the cornerstone of progress, and the curriculum shapes the minds of future generations.
The following is my opinion on the matter based on some research of the underlying facts.
Over recent years, there has been a documented trend away from science education in many educational systems in America and worldwide. One of the most profound challenges facing contemporary education systems is this shift away from science education. This decline in science education in American institutions is proving to be trend of critical concern.
Restoring science education to its rightful place in the curriculum ensures that future generations possess the knowledge and critical thinking skills required. This knowledge is necessary for a society that relies on science and technology for progress and innovation. Balancing the curriculum, improving teacher training, and depoliticizing science education are critical steps. Steps in a process to address these concerns and strengthen science education worldwide.
Several factors contribute to this shift away from an education that includes a strong science component:
Education systems, especially in the United States, often prioritize subjects directly assessed in standardized tests.
Science, particularly in early education, receives less emphasis as it is not a primary focus of standardized assessments.
Schools need more money. Lack of funding results in fewer science courses, outdated equipment, and insufficient opportunities for hands-on learning.
Educators need more training to teach science effectively. More qualified teachers can make it easier for students to engage with scientific concepts.
Parents play a critical role in shaping the educational experiences of their children.
If parents have limited understanding or appreciation for science, they tend to not prioritize it in their children’s education. It has become a generational issue.
The shift away from science education has several implications:
A reduced emphasis on science in education results in a less scientifically literate society. This reduced emphasis limits individuals’ ability to understand and engage with significant scientific and technological developments. In an increasingly complex and technology-driven world, scientific literacy is crucial for informed decision-making and active citizenship.
Scientific knowledge and critical thinking skills are essential for innovation. A weaker emphasis on science hinders our nation’s ability to compete globally and advance technologically. Science education fosters innovation and entrepreneurship, contributing to economic growth and development.
A lack of science education leads to insufficient understanding of critical issues such as climate change, health, and other environmental concerns. This lack of knowledge can have long-term consequences. Many of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as climate change and pandemics, require a scientifically informed public and a skilled workforce to address them.
Most children are naturally curious about the world. 
Science education helps nurture that curiosity. A reduced emphasis on science education stifles this innate desire to explore and understand. Science education encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and interest. All are valuable components of personal and intellectual development.
Education plays a pivotal role in shaping the perspectives and values of future generations. In recent years, there has been increased attention to the influence of a left-wing agenda in educational institutions. The left-wing political agenda is often championed for its emphasis on social justice, government intervention, and equality. It has gained prominence in many countries, particularly in America.
The rise of the left-wing agenda in educational institutions is a complex and controversial issue. It raises crucial questions about ideological diversity, academic freedom, and the role of education in society.
The left-wing educational agenda has grown into an educational monster that has crossed over the line from inappropriate indoctrination into the land of brainwashing young minds for the sole purpose of promoting a very scary social agenda.
Often times these kids don’t seem to truly know what they are saying and doing or why they are saying and doing it. They are just repeating the words of others without question. It is a terrifying situation we live within our world today.
The left-wing political agenda raises significant concerns about the balance between government intervention and individual freedom, economic implications, and the preservation of cultural and traditional values. The left-wing agenda seeks to address social and economic challenges. Its critics contend that its approach does not strike the right balance between promoting equality and respecting personal liberties.
Engaging in open dialogue and constructive debate between different political perspectives is crucial for finding solutions that address the complex issues facing our societies today.
Critics argue that left wing curriculum, particularly in the humanities and social sciences, tends to emphasize left-leaning ideologies, such as social justice, identity politics, and critical race theory. It does this while marginalizing or neglecting conservative viewpoints.
Concerns about the political leanings of faculty and staff are raised. There is a left-leaning dominance and the lack of conservative representation within higher education.
There is a growing atmosphere of political correctness, safe spaces, and trigger warnings, which are directly linked to the stifling of free speech and promoting a progressive ideological echo chamber.
The left-wing agenda in educational institutions has raised several concerns. A lack of political diversity among faculty and staff can lead to a one-sided presentation of ideas and hinder constructive debate.
Promoting particular values may undermine the educational mission of fostering critical thinking and independent inquiry. (AKA Indoctrination).
Conservative students often feel marginalized or hesitant to express their viewpoints, fearing backlash or negative consequences.
The educational results we are seeing and living with in today’s world demonstrate the need for ideological diversity, academic freedom, and the role of education in society. To address these concerns, educational institutions must foster open dialogue, encourage a balanced representation of ideas, and reaffirm their commitment to critical thinking, intellectual diversity, and academic freedom.
There is a religious component to this discussion to consider as well. There is a direct correlation between the removal of religious education for younger students and the decline in social and moral behavior as these children move into adulthood.
The role of religion in grade school education has long been a subject of debate. As societies become more diverse and secular, there has been an increasing call for the removal of religion from grade school education. This exclusion is a substantial component of the root-cause analysis to identify the causes of moral decay in modern society.
One of the primary arguments for removing religion from grade school education is the promotion of secularism and inclusivity. The idea is that public education should be neutral and free from religious bias. This neutrality ensures that all students, regardless of their faith or lack thereof, feel welcome and respected.
Critics of religious education in any public school, express concerns about the potential for religious indoctrination. They argue that exposing young and impressionable minds to spiritual teachings may lead to the undue influence of one particular faith or belief system. In increasingly diverse societies, there is recognition of the wide range of religious and non-religious beliefs. Removing religious content from the curriculum helps avoid favoring one religion over another and respects the pluralistic nature of modern communities.
Advocates for the removal of religion from grade school education emphasize parental rights. They argue that parents should be primarily responsible for teaching their children about their religious beliefs, and the state should not infringe on this right. All of that can appear logical at face value; however, there is much more to it than that. It is strange and disturbing to me that these same people hypocritically believe it is proper for public schools to teach sexual identity and gender topics to these very young children. Even worse – to do it or try to do it without parental knowledge. It’s just not right in my mind and in my opinion. It is a root cause to the bigger problem we are talking about.
Religion has played a significant role in shaping the culture and history of many societies. Critics argue that understanding the religious foundations of art, literature, history, and community is essential for a well-rounded education. Religion often provides a framework for moral and ethical education. It teaches values such as compassion, empathy, and respect for others. These teachings can have a positive impact on character development.
Teaching about religion (rather than religious instruction) makes it possible to teach students about different religious beliefs without promoting one over the others. This educational approach fosters tolerance and understanding. Teaching about religion offers educational value by exploring its influence on art, history, literature, and culture. Learning about religious beliefs and practices is academically enriching and contributes to a well-rounded education.
The debate over the removal of religion from grade school education is a complex one. It requires a careful balance between promoting secularism, respecting religious diversity, and recognizing the educational value of spiritual knowledge. A possible compromise involves teaching about religion in an objective, inclusive, and non-indoctrinating manner.
This can be achieved while at the same time, ensuring that parents’ rights are respected and honored, and the educational environment remains inclusive and respectful of all students. It is a mistake for the educators of our young children to think they should exclude parents from the development and teaching of a curriculum for their children.
The removal of religion from grade school education has clearly had an enormous impact on the moral decay of society on a global scale, especially in America. Religious freedom played a significant role in the founding of America.
We have forgotten (or not taught at a young age) that religious freedom is the backbone of the American experiment. The early European settlers who came to the American colonies sought religious freedom and refuge from religious persecution in their home countries.
For example, the Pilgrims, who arrived on the Mayflower in 1620, sought religious freedom and the ability to practice their form of Protestant Christianity without persecution. Similarly, the Puritans who settled in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in the early 17th century were motivated by religious reasons. Maryland was a refuge for Catholics, and Pennsylvania was settled by Quakers who sought a place to practice their faith without interference.
The importance of religious freedom is enshrined in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, which states:
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”
The First Amendment reflects the Founding Fathers’ commitment to ensuring that individuals in the newly formed United States were free to practice their religion or no religion without fear of persecution. While the American colonies were settled for various reasons, including economic and political ones, pursuing religious freedom was undoubtedly a significant driving force in the founding of the United States.
Striking an educational balance that respects the rights and beliefs of all students while recognizing the educational value of religious knowledge is essential. In this ongoing debate, it is crucial to engage in open dialogue and thoughtful consideration to find the most appropriate and inclusive approach to religious education in an increasingly diverse and secular world.
A well-rounded education should expose students to various perspectives, allowing them to think critically and make informed decisions as they navigate an increasingly complex world.
The shift away from science education is a trend that has important implications for society, education, and individual growth. There is an urgent need to reemphasize the importance of science education backed by an understanding of world religions. This focus will prepare future generations to navigate a rapidly changing world. Receiving this sort of education, I suspect that the moral issues of modern society will improve organically.
As Benjamin Franklin, one of our Founding Fathers, once stated:
“Take care of the pence, and the pounds will care for themselves.”
It is a statement something that I see as applicable to education. Take care of the building blocks of science and religious education (the pence) and a society’s morality (the pounds) will take care of itself by default.
Achieving this requires proper funding, resources, teacher training, and a shift in societal attitudes toward science and faith in our educational system. By doing so, we can ensure that science and religion remain at the forefront of education, fostering a more scientifically literate, innovative, and engaged society.
I invite you to visit the ECG’s Library to find and enjoy additional articles and news about the historic people of Science, current events and posts about the cosmos and our place within it.
Sources:
- National Science Foundation (NSF) Website
- “Science Education in the United States: An Analysis of Policy and Practice” by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
- “Religion in the Public Schools” by the National Center for Science Education (NCSE)
- “Social Impact of Progressive Policies” by the Center for American Progress
- “The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution” by Bernard Bailyn