April 22, 2001


Volume XXI - Number 16  

A Dangerous Double Standard
B.J. Clarke

In 1925, the state of Tennessee forbade the teaching of evolution in the public schools. An article in the Knoxville News-Sentinel, November 24, 1983, revealed that over 80 percent of the state's biology teachers would oppose being forced to teach the idea of Biblical creationism. I must point out that creationism is not only Biblical; it is also scientific. One can conclusively prove that a Supreme Being exists without ever referring to one verse from the Bible. The article also said that 67 percent of the state's teachers reported that they stressed evolution with a moderate to strong emphasis. Over half said that student response to the teaching was generally positive. Things can sure change in 66 years.

These statistics should literally frighten us. In many school systems, the God-less theory of evolution is being spoon fed to our children and it is being taught as a fact of science. It is not a fact! It is a theory and not a very good one at that. The most disturbing fact of all is that creationism is not being taught alongside of the theory of evolution. Supposedly, it violates a student's first amendment rights if he has to listen to the creationist point of view. It is strange to me that the first amendment is protecting unbelievers and is forcing believers in God to sit back and take notes on something so contrary to their beliefs. Why is it not a violation of a student's first amendment rights if he believes in God and has to sit and listen to the theory of evolution being taught as fact? Someone says it is because creationism suggests religion and you can't force religion on somebody. Yet, it is equally true that evolution is one of the basic tenets of humanism which was declared to be a religion by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1961. Even the humanists themselves call humanism a religion. Thus, the obvious question arises: If creationism can't be taught in the public schools because of its religious implications, then why is evolution allowed to be taught when it is connected with religious humanism? There is an obvious double standard that must be dealt with by educators. It is seemingly okay for the theory of evolution to be taught as fact to students who believe in God. Yet, it is supposed to be a violation of a student's first amendment rights if creationism is proposed as the alternative to evolution.

Isn't it ironic that a country which stamps "In God We Trust" on its coinage will not give equal time to the creationists in the public schools? Those who believe in God have just as much of a right to have their theistic view voiced in the schools as those who don't believe in God do to voice their atheistic sentiments. If your children are being taught evolution, write your government officials, the school board and the administrators of your school to tell them that you feel your children's rights are being violated. Let's stand up and be counted.


AM SERMON:
"The Separation of Death"
(Luke 16:19-31)
PM SERMON:
"The Kingdom Parables"
(Matthew 13:1-3a)

Our hearts go out in deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Betty Royal who passed away unexpectedly on Thursday night after a short illness. Sister Royal was a long time member here and will be sorely missed. A memorial service is planned for 4:00 this afternoon (Sunday) here at the building.


Pride indeed is the deadliest and most destructive of all sins. The bible teaches that the "proud in heart" are an abomination to the Lord (Proverb 16:5).

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Responses
Sisters Sherry Hobbs and Elsie Chambers came forward last Sunday morning asking for forgiveness of their shortcomings and the prayers of the congregation for strength to overcome these problems. Keep them in your daily prayers.

New Member
Sister Ronnie Godfrey has asked to be identified with the group of saints that worship here at Orange Street. Add the following information to your directories:

GODFREY, Ronnie . . . . . . . ./ / /- / / / /
Jonathan
/ / /    / / / / / / / / / / /   / / /   -  / / / / / / / / / / /

Ladies' Work Group
The Ladies' Work Group is scheduled to meet tomorrow night (Monday) at 7:00 in the annex. All of our ladies are invited to attend and participate

Children's Class
Our youngsters meet each Sunday evening at 5:40 in the auditorium for a short period of story and song. This evening's teacher will be Greg Littleton.

Thanks
A special "Thank You" to the teens who participated in the "work-day", in some of our senior's yards yesterday (Sat.).

Upcoming Events

  • April 27, 28 - Ladies' Retreat - Weeki Wachee (sign-up sheet posted)
  • May 4 - 6 - Spring Youth Retreat - Weeki Wachee (sign-up sheet posted)

Gospel Meetings

  • April 29-May 4 - Laura St, Plant City - with Ben Radford
  • May 6-9 - Church of Christ of Eloise - with Marc W. Gibson
  • May 27-31 - Preston St., Auburndale - Different speaker each night

Don't forget to attend the weekly Prayer Session in Room #3 -
each Sunday evening at 5:30

Charlie & Betty Dupree, Jasper Sims, Cliff Powell, Elsie Chambers,
Jr. & Marie Howard, Ervin & Alma Eubanks, Don & Sheila Adkins, Sue Church,
Jerry Hill, Norris Clark, Robert Cox, Earl & Vernon Wilkes, Seth Lott,
Roger Reece, Mattie Hughs, Mel Chambers, Vannie Dowdy,Frances Austin, Margaret Duh,
Sherry Hobbs, Linda Thompson, Karen Bauer, Alzonio Rhodes

In The Nursing Homes

Doc Anderson, Elizabeth Gillespie, Victoria Wooster