Rethinking Indoctrination

By Warren A. Nord

Consider a Christian academy that requires students to study fundamentalist theology for 12 years but requires no coursework in science (though scientific beliefs are occasionally mentioned in history textbooks which are, of course, written by fundamentalist theologians). Biology recapitulates the first chapter of Genesis, history begins with Adam and Eve, and morality is essentially a matter of the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes. Needless to say, the academy's teachers are not themselves required to have done any coursework in science--and few have.

Would students in such an academy be indoctrinated? I expect most of us would answer affirmatively. Would it make any difference, in answering this question, if parents supplemented their children's education by teaching them science or if they watched "Nova" on television? I take it this would make no difference: The academy cannot be acquitted of the charge of indoctrination because parents compensate for its shortcomings.

Now consider a public school that requires students to study science, social science, and secular ways of making sense of the world for 12 years but requires no coursework in religion (though religious beliefs are occasionally mentioned in history textbooks which are, of course, written by social scientists). Neo-Darwinian accounts of evolution are taught in biology classes, Adam and Eve have been replaced in the cast of characters by various prehistoric anthropoids, and students learn either that morality is culture-relative or that it is essentially a matter of self-actualization. Needless to say, the school's teachers are not required to have done any coursework...