Craig K. Svensson's "A Creationist Responds" (The Scientist, January 26, p. 12) asks a central question: "Who has the right to control which view my child is taught in a public school classroom?" He then answers his question from two viewpoints—parent and professor.
Svensson's answer as a parent is clear. Parental religious beliefs should control exposure to ideas. Young people should never be exposed at public expense to ideas in conflict with those of their parents. He alleges constitutional protection for his right to have his children exposed only to one flavor among a competing menu of ideas. His answer elicits some understanding, for all parents wish, at some level, to protect their children. How easily, however, protection becomes imprisonment.
Svensson's answer as a professor leaves one incredulous. That he should define education as protection from competing ideas exposes both his perversion of education as thought control and...
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