Abstinence Only? Really?

I noticed several things in the reading for this week and in the debate yesterday. Since I have heard both I will reflect on both. The biggest thing I noticed was that each side of the argument was presenting statistics that clashed with one another. Only one of the statistics could be true. The abstinence-only side of the argument got most of their statistics from religion-affiliated organizations like Focus on the Family. The opposing side got their statistics from a variety of sources. I think this is really religion trying to push its way into our schools. Religious organizations have plenty of opportunities to preach their message of abstinence-only, and schools can then offer information about contraceptives. The religious organizations can tell children that it's not smart to have sex too early, and then since not all youth are religious the school can inform them of what they need to do to make good life choices. In my mind this model just makes so much sense. If the religious groups are worried about people having sex too early they can put that message out. Schools have a responsibility to inform students, regardless of their religious affiliation. That common denominator message is, in a nutshell: don't have sex until you are sure you are ready, and if/when you do here's how you can protect yourselves against unwanted consequences.

Earlier this semester I went to a hearing about requiring abstinence+ education in Nebraska's public schools. The only arguments against the bill were religious in nature. However, we live in a nation that has this fantastic freedom of religion. When we make laws that are designed to appease one specific religion it seems to me that we are defeating the whole purpose of that freedom. It's like America is a person with its hand outstretched for different people, but then behind its back there is a knife waiting to stab the different people for their differences.

It may be surprising to hear this from me after that tirade, but I actually support the idea of abstinence, but I don't think schools should be offering that message. It violates the division of church and state.

Questions:

1) Should sex ed be taught in schools at all or should that be handled by parents?

2) If sex ed is taught in schools should the state require that education to be abstinence+ rather than abstinence only?