Based on the public debate about this subject, I was wondering if it would be better to have an extended class covering the various beliefs and arguements surrounding Evolution, Creationism, and Intelligent Design. The goal of the class would allow students to gain various perspectives (pro and con) on each of the arguments for Evolution, Creationism and Intelligent Design.
2006-07-14 06:02:58 · 19 answers · asked by Who He 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
The best class I ever heard of was a local high school's approach. The Creationists pressured them to teach alternate theories of creation, not just Evolution, so they did. They created an elective discussing ALL cultures' theories on how the world was created--Egyptian, Greek, Native American, everything. The Creationists were not amused, and immediately started lobbying to get the class cancelled.
2006-07-14 06:12:48 · answer #1 · answered by cross-stitch kelly 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Non-scientific ideas on this topic do not belong in the public schools. If parents want their kids to learn the various perspectives, they should enroll them in classes in the correct religious venue.
The point being, public tax dollars are not supposed to be used for religious education. Creationism is clearly a product of religious texts, while ID is a pseudo-scientific theory, whose proponents are largely affiliated with the Discovery Institute, a conservative Christian think tank.
ID is not an evidence-based theory, as there is no way to prove or disprove, via the scientific method, that a supernatural force could have been the director of creation. None of the claims of ID can be used to make predictions, generate new hypotheses, or be subject to test by experiment.
P.S. I actually am a believer in creationism. I am also a believer in the view and that the Torah is not a history book or a science book. I am currently doing a detailed study of the days of creation, using the original Hebrew text and the many Jewish commentators (Rashi, Ramban, Maimonides, Sifsay Chachomim, etc) who explain the text and its meanings. I think when G-d is involved, you have to throw science out the window, because all the rules of science and logic we use can be broken.
I will tell you my view, for what it is worth. Imagine a turn-key world, if you will. G-d creates everything, as it is described, then "turns a key" and starts the engines that drive our world going on its natural path. In this turn-key world, everything is created with a natural history, just as if it had really begun on that path. So, we see a fossil record, evidence of evolution and the appearance and disappearance of species, etc.
I will tell you why I can believe this. We are limited in what we can know and measure, and it is utter audaciousness to believe we can know it all. We discover new things all the time that belie the old things we thought were right. String theory says that physical constants may not even be constant - which means that things like the decay rates of radioactive elements may have been different at different times. It's a complicated universe, and to say we have figured it all out via science is presumptuous and arrogant.
That being said, I don't think, as I mentioned above, we should mix religious teachings with science, using tax dollars. Creationism is but one viewpoint in the religous mileau, and may insult others who have different religious beliefs about the topic. So, keep science in the schools, and religious ideas about creation in the synagogues, churches, mosques and other houses and schools of worship.
2006-07-14 06:11:24 · answer #2 · answered by Jack 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are going to stray from science and teach creationism and intelligent design, then you should also teach other "beliefs" such as those found in Greek and Roman mythology, the Flying Spaghetti Monster Theory, and other how-the-world-began beliefs from the many cultures of the world such as The Dreaming believed by Aborigines. Science class should teach science alone. Furthermore, by teaching creationism and id in schools you blur the lines. Popular religions and their teachings should be kept out of schools or every student should be given the right to practice their beliefs, popular or not, while in school and have their beliefs taught as fact as well.
2006-07-14 06:18:45 · answer #3 · answered by Babel Bella 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Creationism and Intelligent Design don't belong in science class. I think if they want to teach those they should have a theology class and teach the basics of all major religions. They could go over the basics of Christianity, Juadism, ect. I am not religious, but I think that education leads to understanding and tolerance. Evolution should stay in science class which is where it belongs.
2006-07-14 06:15:45 · answer #4 · answered by curls 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Even if you believe that intelligent design is the way life came into being, it has no place in schools. I am a creationist and I don't think it should be. Science classes have to present the most widely accepted theory by the scientific community, not the population as a whole. sorry if i offended anyone, but it's the truth.
2006-07-14 06:07:11 · answer #5 · answered by Hunter S. Thompson 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely separately. Creationism & intelligent design are based upon faith and opinion and should not be taught as fact in schools. Perhaps they should be referenced in contrast to evolution but definitely not taught. This is the domain of the home or religious belief.
2006-07-14 06:20:48 · answer #6 · answered by Rance D 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the purpose of teaching isn't to tell others what you think but to give them the information and let them form their own thoughts on the topic. That being said: teach them all together. Put it all on the table and spark discussions and debate and some real learning will happen. I think that people who sign up for the class would have to be mature enough to want to learn from others and other's viewpoints. Not go in to think their way is the only way and spend the whole class defending it.
2006-07-14 06:56:33 · answer #7 · answered by bookworm 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that since their is supposed to be a seperation of church and state then Creationism and Intelligent design shouldn't be taught at all!
2006-07-14 06:06:07 · answer #8 · answered by jmdavis333 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are going to "teach" creationism and intelligent design, then you might as well close the school entirely and save a few bucks.
2006-07-14 06:05:59 · answer #9 · answered by regnaD kciN 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Creationism and ID should never be taught in a science class. Teach it at church, or teach it in your home, but it has NO scientific basis whatsoever and has no place in a science class.
Despite public debate, there is NO debate on whether or not ID is valid among scientists. They agree that it has no validity.
2006-07-14 06:05:38 · answer #10 · answered by Blunt Honesty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋