Was at least the first life form created?

[rjh4 is back]

First, I was speaking about averages and how those averages don't take into account that in many cases, standardized testing is voluntary. I already provided this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homeschooli...nt_studies

Honestly, if you are teaching your child evolution is false and creationism is true, that is not teaching them science. I hang my hat by that statement, no matter how much you may feel personally offended by it.

I have not been inconsistent in what I've said. I do not have a problem with home schooled children who are taught with the appropriate curriculum, and research shows the one on one teaching can do so much for the child, and that's great. I repeat, I don't have a problem with that. I think a primary reason for home schooling should always be to provide a better education, not religious reasons. You can still send your child to public school and teach them religion at home. I don't think a parent has the right to deny children a basic science education.

I'll also through in this clarification, religious people can certainly home school a child successfully and give them all the education they need to be successful adults. I'm not saying religious parents should not home school, but when they're doing it for specific reasons, such as wishing to teach creationism, using books from sources like Answers in Genesis, and not give them access to good evolution science, that to me is harm and denying appropriate education.

http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/homeschool/p...easons.asp

I am not offended at all. I have heard or read all this kind of thing before.

I think you are a bit biased on this subject. Don't you think? Do you really think that historical science as it relates to origins is the only science in existence? That is how you come across. It seems to me that the bulk of work done in science (90%+?)is in the area of operational science, i.e., the things that we test and observe in the here and now and how that can be applied to technology. I'm guessing that we would actually agree on all of this science (maybe not the reasons why we find order and reproducibility in the universe but certainly that we do find this in the universe). Do you really think that historical science as it relates to origins is on the same level proof wise as operational science? If you do, it is my opinion that you do not think very scientifically. I think it is perfectly appropriate to teach my children what evolutionary science (common descent) says and also indicate why I do not agree with the conclusions made. Your position seems to be that because you think that God does not exist and, therefore, that creation didn't happen, then teaching a child that God exists and creation did happen is being harmul to the child. Your position, if I am correct, is clearly based on your presuppositions and I reject your position wholeheartedly as being unfounded (you have not demonstrated at all that it is harmful in any way to a child).