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August 20, 2008

University Course Controversy

Posted: 07:23 PM ET

As a public school student, I remember evolution being taught as a theory about the origin of life. But I don't think Creationism was taught at all at school; we learned about that in church.

So I was really interested in Thursday's story about the University of California not offering credit for certain courses taught at Calvary Chapel Christian School. One student there argued that she learns about everything from intelligent design to evolution - more than what some public schools offer.

The university system says it has no problems with religious instruction; it considers whether courses provide "adequate instruction." Officials added that the course approval rate for religious and secular (non-religious) schools is the same.

We'd like to know where you stand on this after seeing the full report.

Carl Azuz, Anchor

Filed under: Uncategorized


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jim   August 21st, 2008 1:09 am ET

I am a strong Christian believer and I think that it is absolutely outrageous that UCLA is refusing to give credits to some students because of what they are being taught in a religious school. In the US every person is allowed to practice their own religion and if we truly are a free country why should they be penalized for going to a Christian school.

Cole   August 21st, 2008 9:09 am ET

I know that in scottland you can drink at around my age (12). I still dont think it is a good idea! it would be a good idea to raise it up to maybe 25!

Sara   August 21st, 2008 1:56 pm ET

I am Bible Believing follower of Jesus Christ and I don't agree with UCLA for not giving credit to kids for some of the courses they are taking at the Christian school. Christian view-point is just as adequate as secular view-point. (Personally I think it is better :-D ) And to deny them credit is basically taking away their free right to go to a Christian school and to believe that GOD created the world. If the student talked to for the broadcast is correct then the school is not forcing anyone to believe that God created the world and they are allowing students to decide for themselves. So, I see no problem in them learning what they are and they (if they have a relationship with Christ and follow his teaching) will be better citizens because of it. :-D

Mike   August 21st, 2008 4:28 pm ET

Sure, I believe in God, but I think a school has the right to deny students of credit that go to a Chrstian school. Most Christian school curriculums basically say in they're science book , "God made everything, end of story." They don't explore the ideas and theory's like the Big Bang. Whose to say that God didn't make the Big Bang? Whose to say that he didn't make creatures evolve? Science books should talk about SCIENCE not FAITH. Leave the faith for religion class.

Bonnie   August 21st, 2008 8:02 pm ET

It isn't right to take off points for what you believe in. Its more like discrimination against all christians and catholics in general. They should teach a little bit of both and count points for BOTH!

Claire   August 21st, 2008 9:03 pm ET

As a proud Christian/Catholic I firmly believe that colleges should not base accepting students on their religion. I understand that everyone has a right to not be christian, however, everyone also has a right TO be a christian. We will not go to college and try to convert people we just want religous freedom to be who we are. This right here is religious discrimination, which is just like racial discrimination. You would not deny someone credits just because they were african american or went to an all african american school? Or if they were asian? This is almost excactly the same.

Claire   August 21st, 2008 9:05 pm ET

I am 13 yrs of age and strongly believe in what i said. I stick by it.

Tiffany   August 21st, 2008 11:54 pm ET

I think school shouldn't have something that may collide with religious things. The UCLA isn't right not to give credits to kids for something that they believe. If this is a real free country, you've got the rights to believe what you believe! I think kids who are Christians should believe what they believe. I'm a Christian too, and there's a question in a test that goes like this : How did bla bla creatures appeared? One of the answer is that God created them, I (personally) know that it is the true answer but I still choose the other kind. I think if you choose the other answer, didn't mean you think that. But if you're going to get better grades, just fake it!

Natalie and Haylea   August 22nd, 2008 12:04 pm ET

Natalie thinks that the christian schools should be allowed. It's peoples rights and freedom to have the beliefs that they choose.

Haylea thinks that christian schools should be allowed too. She thinks this because people have their own beliefs and some people think that it is better to get a certain type of education. I also think that they should be allowed because in alot of public schools there is drugs and such and most parents put their kids in christian schools because of this as well.

Sincerely,
Haylea and Natalie = )

Destinee   August 22nd, 2008 6:35 pm ET

I think that lowering the drinking age to 18 will just make this controversy even worse. Even more kids will start drinking and causing the rate of crashes from alcohol to go even higher. Why change the law? People can wait until they are 21 until they drink and by then they will be educated and drink more responsibly. Just make people abide by it.

Alice   August 23rd, 2008 7:30 am ET

I think it IS inappropriate for UCLA to not offering credit to students because what they're believing in.And IF some Christian schools do not explore the theories like the Big Bang or evolution, well, it's their loss,it won't affect the university.

Veronica   August 23rd, 2008 7:34 pm ET

I watched that segment and one student said that they learned things besides that God created the Earth. I, as a Christian belive that they should not have the right to tell people that they can't follow their dreams because of what they believe in.

Melissa   August 26th, 2008 1:06 pm ET

It's a violation of a constitutional right. Yeah, we as Christians don't believe in evolution. SO?! That doesn't mean they should deny us credit. We still learn the material and we're just as competent as people who go to secular schools. I'm very disapointed with the CA government, and also with UCLA. I was going to attend, but now I can't.

Tommy   September 3rd, 2008 3:26 pm ET

It matters not what religion you may stand on with this point what UCLA is doing is wrong anyway you look at it. Besides that they are denying something because of the religion (which is against the Constitution) they are also profiling by saying "That if you came from some type of school that had anything to do with religion then you can't get credit for what you learn because it is wrong." This is CRAZY and UCLA so rethink what they are doing and what they want to do on this subject.

Kristen   September 4th, 2008 4:36 pm ET

I don't think it's they're trying to discredit the school for being religious in nature. I don't think that UCLA is wrong with this because I think that schools should be non-denominational. Obviously beside the point, but I really don't think that Christians should be whining and saying that UCLA is ONLY doing that to that school BECAUSE of the fact that it's a Christian school. They're not trying to discredit the beliefs at all, they're just trying to make sure that teachers are adequately teaching a general subject area. Science isn't religion. Religion shouldn't be taught in a science class because, whether they think so or not, a single-minded view filtered into learning material can hinder the knowledge that can be obtained because of that single-mindedness.

Kristen   September 4th, 2008 4:45 pm ET

I don't think that by denying them credit it means that they're taking away their right to go to a Christian school because no one said anything about their attendance at that school, only about what was taught and if it was "adequate instruction." They're also not trying to tell you that God didn't create the world, just that it isn't a scientifically proven fact: why would you teach something that isn't scientifically proven in a SCIENCE class?

Also, UCLA isn't discrediting students for what they believe in. And if some Christian schools decide not to explore the Big Bang theory or evolution, it DOES affect the university because the University doesn't filter it's material for your religious preference.

Jon   September 5th, 2008 12:57 pm ET

I think the puns are narley and you should keep doing them. =P

sean   September 6th, 2008 2:33 pm ET

Keep the puns! Theyre great!!!

troy   September 8th, 2008 1:06 pm ET

i wont to know why we help other people in other counties when our homeless dont get help from us....i just wont to know why that is

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