TToday on the May 5, 2009, episode of The View, all five hosts were present. The first topic was that a high school teacher taught that the bible’s version of creation was superstitious nonsense. Sherri Shepherd said that it is a respect thing and no question by a child should be stupid. Barbara Walters said that we don’t know that a child raised his hand here. Sherri said it doesn’t matter because a child may have felt stupid based on what the teacher said. Barbara said that teachers give their opinions all the time, but this is a hot button issue. Whoopi said the issue is whether the teacher has the right to give his or her opinion. Joy said that the answer to bad speech is more speech, but is not an equal relationship in a classroom, so it is not really a first amendment right. Barbara said that teachers give opinions on lots of things, but when it comes to religion it is a hot subject. (She just said the exact thing two minutes ago). Joy got fired for telling her students not to report to Vietnam.
Sherri said that if they teach Darwinism, they need to respect those who believe otherwise. Elisabeth said that religion is an important freedom that needs to be protected. Joy said that Darwinism is proven science and you should teach your children that or it is child abuse. Elisabeth said that is ridiculous and a parent is not wrong for not teaching your way. Joy said it is not her way, it is all of science’s way. Sherri will teach Jeffrey about Darwinism so he can have a conversation about it, but will tell him that she believes in creationism. Joy said that creationism should be taught in religious schools and Darwinism in public schools. Whoopi said that you should be able to learn both at once. Elisabeth said that she grew up learning both. Joy said that you cannot mix it up because it will confuse people, like teaching Swahili in a Spanish class. Barbara said it is a very hot subject. (again). She said that when astronauts go into space, they are men of science, but being in space made them believe more in their faith. Joy asked, “all of them?” Whoopi said, segueing to a commercial said that if you believe in the astronauts or space or Darwinism (sherri piped in “or child abuse!), come back after the break.
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