Teach the Relativism

A common tactic used in the so-called "culture wars" is to paint the "traditional" view as religious, intolerant, and fact-based while the "progressive" view is hailed as neutral, tolerant, and values based.  This is a very common theme, and we need to develop critical thinking skills to detect and expose it.  Numerous examples of this tactic can be found in the debate regarding the teaching of sexual education in our nation's schools. 

Melinda "the Enforcer" Penner at Stand to Reason posted about this Fox news story that has the ACLU up in arms.  It seems our government has set up a website that teaches that abstinence may be the healthiest choice for a child contemplating sexual activity.  Among the radical ideas that are causing this controversy are these "religious based" notions as reported by DailyKos:

Abstinence helps protect teens from contracting a sexually transmitted disease, becoming pregnant, and the emotional risk and responsibility involved with sex. Abstinence is the healthiest choice for teens because they are not ready for the adult emotions of sex and the adult choices that sex entails...

Abstinence for your teen means that he or she would avoid voluntary intimate sexual contact (oral, anal or vaginal). This is the best choice emotionally and physically for all teens. The values that come from abstinence, such as respect, responsibility, and self-control, will benefit their future relationships...

Tell them that abstinence is the healthiest choice... Waiting for sex shows self-respect. Let your teen know that even though they are capable of having sex, having sex will not make them an adult...making good choices will.

Siecus, which is the largest organization that promotes "comprehensive" sex education, believes that information such as this actually inhibits parents' abilities to promote their own values to their children.  They write:

The website dictates values to parents rather than helping them to incorporate their own beliefs into discussions regarding sex and sexuality.

What a topsy-turvy world we live in when giving advice about waiting for sex for emotional and medical reasons is considered "dictating" values. 

Contrast this document from an organization known as Teach the Facts.  TTF is an organization that was formed to protect the "condom on a cucumber" film that will be displayed to Montgomery County, Maryland teens (posted previously here.)  In naming the organization Teach the Facts, the implication is that those who oppose having their children view an attractive teacher placing a condom on a cucumber are interested in forcing non-factual values on the malleable brains of these teens. 

However, a close look at the curriculum that TTF supports reveals that moral relativism, which is a controversial non-fact based ethical system is simply presupposed into the curriculum:

Download 8th_grade_curriculum_outline.doc

VII. Peer Pressure and Other Factors That Can Influence Decisions Regarding Sexual Behavior

A. Peer pressure

1. define, describe and give examples

2. "all your friends are doing it" - perception that is not accurate

3. manipulation to convince you to do something you don't want to do or to be something you don't want to be

B. Other factors

1. family expectations and values

2. myths and misconceptions you may have regarding sexual behavior

3. cultural beliefs

4. religious beliefs

5. media messages

C. Sifting through all the influences

1. only you can decide what is best for you

2. a decision that should be based on more than passion

3. deciding what is right for you is a tough decision, but an important one

This curriculum asserts that there is no standard of morality outside of "deciding what is right for you".  This is moral relativism, and is a particular view of morality which is even rejected by some of the most strident atheists. 

Teaching moral relativism as a fact absolutely undermines the ability of parents to eductate their children on the presence of an objective moral code.  The present way that sex education is taught to our chidren gives them the impression that they are the ultimate arbiter of what is right and wrong.  The influence and teachings of their family and faith are presented as potential influences to their ethical thinking (along with the media and peers), but a responsible and moral decision is ultimately one that is best for them. 

This is dictating values.  This is forcing non-factual information on students.  This is undermining the parents right and responsibility to teach their children regarding important life and death issues. 

As of today, it appears that the site mentioned has been taken down. Yet teenwire is still going strong.  I hope that we do not allow our values to be undermined in this way.  It is children that are at stake, and I believe they deserve better than that.