Asking the Right Questions, A Guide to Critical Thinking, 8th Ed

100 Chapter 7
of the AIDS hysteria sweeping the nation. Unfortunately, his media-influenced
announcement has given new life to those who favor explicit sex education—even
to the detriment of the nation's children.
Sexuality has always been a topic of conversation reserved for the family. Only
recently has sex education been forced on young children. The surgeon general's
recommendation removes the role of the family entirely. It should be
up to parents to explain sex to their children in a manner with which they
are comfortable. Sex education exclusive of the family is stripped of values
or any sense of morality, and should thus be discouraged. For years families
have taken the responsibility of sex education, and that's the way it should
remain.
Sex education in schools encourages experimentation. Kids are curious. Letting
them in on the secret of sex at such a young age will promote blatant promiscuity.
Frank discussions of sex are embarrassing for children, and they destroy the
natural modesty of girls.
Passage 2
Sandra: I don't see why you are so against permitting beer to be sold at the new
University Student Union. After all, a survey of our students shows that 80 percent
are in favor of the proposal.
Joe: Of course, you will be in favor of serving any alcoholic beverage at any time
anywhere. You are one of the biggest alcoholics on our campus.
Passage 3
Bill: Countries that harbor terrorists who want to destroy the United States must
be considered enemies of the United States. Any country that does not relinquish
terrorists to the American justice system is clearly on the side of the
terrorists. This sort of action means that the leaders of these countries do not
wish to see justice done to the terrorists and care more about hiding murderers,
rapists, thieves, and anti-democrats.
Taylor: That's exactly the kind of argument that I would expect from someone
who has relatives who have worked for the CIA. But it seems to me that once you
start labeling countries that disagree with America on policy as enemies, then
eventually almost all countries will be considered our enemies, and we will be left
with no allies.
Bill: If that's the case, too bad. America stands for freedom, for democracy, and
for truth. So it can stand against the world. Besides, the United States should be
able to convince countries hostile to the United States of the error of their ways
because our beliefs have a strong religious foundation.