Why can't they teach both evolution and creationism?

Question

Ok, how did we go from the Scopes Trial conviction (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/encyclopedia/entry/Scopestr) to no creationism in school? I don't see why they only teach evolution in public schools now. Why can't they teach both evolution and creationism and let the individual decide for himself what he wants to believe?

I didn't say they had to teach everything from the bible, just the creationist's view of how the world came to be. I also didn't say it had to be taught in Physical science classes. Anyway, evolution is just as much a religion as creationism. What scientific proof do you have to say that the world came together as the result of a "big bang" or that millions of little particles came together in space over time to create the earth? How did they stick together and how was gravity created? I think science class should be limited to what we know is true and here and PROVEABLE. Evolution should be taught in theory classes right beside creationism. I say either put creationism in school or leave the evolution theory out. Believe me, science can be taught very well without any reference to evolution. I know because I've been in public school, regular private school, and a christian private school. I'm not the idiot or the misinformed bumpkin you make me out to be.

Answer 1

I agree with you,..
they should both be taught and then let the student decide what they want.
All these answers talking about evolution being backed up by science and fact are wrong! There is a very good reason why it is called the "theory" of evolution. last I checked, a theory was not proof, but rather an educated guess. Until one or the other can be proven outright without a doubt, then we should be teaching both at the same time. Believe it or not, the science that these people are talking about is taking a turn in the other direction to support creationism and not evolution. Stories and events of the Bible are becoming proven by scientists all over the world. Wake up people and try not to become so closed minded about your "theories".

Answer 2

I think it is appropriate to teach Creationism in the science class. It sure is not a science and would help people understand this point. I am Christian. I believe the Bible. I am a scientist and Creationism just doesn't fit into scientific theory. Doesn't mean it is wrong, just means that it isn't science.

However, many children today are just not learning what science. So you get some that pull for evolution like its their religion. They don't treat the sciences as sciences because they were never taught the principles of what is and is not a science.

Furthermore, children should be taught the inadequacy of Evolution as well. It is a myth that Evolution is a true theory. No theory is ultimately true. They are just explanations that are better than the rest. Evolution is the best we have right now. We will discover more and find the invalidations within Evolution. Or we will redefine Evolution to what it isn't at the moment.

Answer 3

They can. Evolution should be taught in science class because it is a scientific principle. Creationism should be taught n church because it is a religious belief. Creationism is not science. Everybody needs to understand that. Creation science is an oxymoron. Creationism is simply the latest cynical attempt to sneak religion into the public curriculum. These fanatics will stop at nothing. We should be just as concerned about our liberties being taken away by religious fanatics here at home as we are by Islamic religious fanatics. Remember, it was only a generation ago that they had prayers recited in school and not long before that that the "religious community" decided which books people could read and which they could not. These are the same people who were burning heretics at the stake only a few hundred years ago. We need to move forward instead of backward.

Answer 4

Because creationism is a religious themed explaination of how we got here, and is fraught with errors and unbased supposition. There is no fact to base this theory, just the bible, which has been proven wrong numerous times. Besides,specific religion theories are not allowed in public schools. Creationism is a new theory put forward by Christian fundamentalists. The theory of evolution has been proved over and over again, even in something as small as dna strands.If we follow the intelligent design theory, science and education will be pushed back into the dark ages, when the church leaders got to decide what the people were allowed to learn.

Answer 5

Creationism is not based on evidence. Especially not Scientific evidence. Go ahead and teach creationism in a religion class, but only teach real science in science classes.

Why is that so hard to understand?

edit: After reading your additional information I decided that you've probably not ever been taught what science actually is. You need to read "The Demon Haunted World" by Carl Sagan. He explains how to tell the difference between real and imaginary.

There is a black and white difference between creationism and evolution. Evolution has actually been observed in animals with a short gestation period like the finches that live in the Galapagos Islands. Creationism has not and can not be shown to have happened. ALL the evidence points to evolution. There is no evidence that contradicts evolution. It's really not that complicated.

Answer 6

They usually teach the most accepted theory untill you get to the upper levels of school... the idea is that younger kids can't understand the logic it takes to make a decision like that. To a point I think that is true. The other thing... is that most think that faith doesn't belong in science class. And unfortunately most don't have a clue of the scientific school of thought behind creationism and until people can see that as a theory more than a faith system it won't be taught in school. Sometimes though I think we don't give our kids enough credit.

Answer 7

evolution belongs in the science classroom and creationism belongs in a social science class thats really the only problem. For science to be effective you need proof and repeatable results. Religion is based on faith, for which there is little proof. Until we invent time machines we cannot say for sure what happened but there is evidence for evolution. We have to remember that to believe in evolution blindly is also a religion. Being dogmatic about anything is probably not too good

Answer 8

Just to preface my answer, I'm a Christian that believes the Earth is 4.6 billion years old and a product of the Big Bang, evolution, etc. etc..

You can't teach Young Earth Creationism in a science class because there is no science to it. It's just "God said 'POOF!'" Now, I think Creationism could be taught in a sociology, history, literature, and other such liberal arts and social science studies, but keep it away from the natural sciences.

Answer 9

It's fairly unlikely that they would be taught equally. I think in far too many cases, the teachers would be like, "ok, so there's this thing called evolution" then really quickly explain it, "but that's probably wrong, and creationism is probably right" and then real in depth explain it. Creationism is religion, evolution is not. If you really want Creationism in the school system, then we're going to have to equally teach Pagan Creations, and Hindu, and all the other religion's Creation stories.

Answer 10

The first amendment of the Constitution is intended to separate church and state. In other words, the government cannot establish a religion or deny the free practice of religion. If a public school paid for with tax dollars is teaching a theory that God created the universe, it is in violation of the Constitution. Our founding fathers believed religion is best taught at home or church.