Origin of life
What would it take to be able teach the biblical creation account in the public school system, along with the theory of evolution? With our federal and state-controlled education system, advocating for this is challenging.
Whether identifying as a Darwin evolutionist or God-made creationist, beliefs on the origin of life require faith either way. Both positions have insufficient scientific evidence to affirm definitively their positions. Therefore, it is reasonable to offer both world views in public education.
Every civilization has some kind of story of how the universe and everything in it came into existence. States can choose to integrate those cultural perspectives into their curriculum, like Hawaii’s creation chant or Native American stories.
Show the similarities between the different accounts. Remarkably, many of the concepts are compatible. Teach children how to think rather than what to think. Taught equally, as viable possibilities, children can decide for themselves if they want to believe their origins are a cosmic unplanned event with apes as ancestors, or created with purpose in the image of God.
In the mid-1800s, the Kingdom of Hawaii was the most literate nation at that time in history. Hawaii’s reputation for exceeding the norm can be furthered. Include in Hawaii’s public schools the biblical and cultural explanations of the universe’s origins. It perpetuates the culture, honors Hawaiian ancestral heroes of faith, and preserves Hawaii’s rich Christian heritage.
Foster learning by addressing comprehensively the “In the beginning …” options. Hawaii’s public schools are an appropriate place to initiate creation-enhanced curriculums.
Michele Lincoln
Lahaina, Maui
A bad idea?
I wasn’t gonna write in, but I just needed to add my 2 cents to the letter, “Very Concerning,” by Michelle Melendez (Your Views, Feb. 23, regarding the Birds, Not Mosquitoes plan).
I totally agree there are times “we” make it worse. Perfect example it the mongoose, introduced way back when to deal with the rats, which came in on the cargo ships, as do many of the “invasives.”
Someone didn’t do their homework and/or wasn’t thinking. Mongooses hunt during the day, while rats are nocturnal. Now mongooses are a pest like rats.
I cringe thinking about opening Pandora’s box again. What will it introduce to Hawaii now?
I’m sure the elders/kupunas can reflect back and enlighten us about all the other “improvements” gone awry.
Lee Venard
Hilo
