Should both evolution and that God created everything, both be taught in public school?

Question

Should both Darwin's theory of evolution, which most scientists believe in, as well as the idea that Darwin's theory is wrong and that God created everything, which maybe 1-2% of the scientists believe in, also be taught in public school or at least something written in the school science book that states as follows: "most scientists believe in Darwin's theory of evolution, but there are other scientists who belive by their observation of the world and by their inference that the world was created by God and that the theory of evolution has never been proven."

Answer 1

That's why there are private parochial schools. If you want your children to learn about your religion while at school you need to send them to a parochial school.

Darwin's theory is taught in school while in a science class. It's not representative of an entire belief system. It's not even presented as proven...by definition a theory is something that's not proven to be true. It's just presented as something that has been researched but cannot go through the entire scientific method in order to prove it.

In sharp contrast, a belief...such as God created the world, really has no place in public schools. Where would one teach it? Not in science. We'd have to have a religion class. But then, which religion? Buddhism? Scientology class? Paganism class? Jehova Witness Class? Atheism class? Satanism class? Really that's just ridiculous!

We, teachers, cannot teach morals and values. That is the work of parents at home. Children are very impressionable and I don't feel it is my job to impart morals and values...just knowledge. I'm not religious...do you really want me teaching your children about faith?

Would we then make it a requirement for public school teachers to be Christians? Buddhist? Religious? That would be entirely against our Constitution. We cannot be forced to have a certain religion in order to teach at school.

I suggest, more parents take responsibility of their own children. Just as a parent teaches manners, or seeks to further their child's knowledge by taking them to museums; parents further their children's knowledge of religion by reading the Bible together, attending Church, and make their beliefs a regular topic of discussion at home.

Answer 2

Let me see:

We have the Theory of Thermodynamics. I guess we should also start demanding that we add Magic 101 so kids can "choose" whether the chemical reactions that go with life are scientific or if there's a little gremlin in there causing them. After all, the reactions that power cellular respiration are obviously nothing that science can deal with.

Then there's the Atomic Theory. I guess we should demand that kids have a chance to sit in the center of a possible thermonuclear explosion (after all, it's only a Theory that this whole thing will go boom anyway, right?)

Then there's the General Theory of Relativity. Gosh, why have them learn that at all. Let's give them a chance to choose if that is what explains gravity or maybe we should see if we can put together a course on how the little fairies tack down everything at night. Hey, it was a biggie some years back.

BTW, there is a LOT, not just a little, but a LOT of evidence showing that the Theory of Evolution is what has and continues to happen on this planet so far as life goes.

The word Theory in science is not something used lightly. It DOES NOT mean just a guess. That word is hypothesis - and even that means more than just guess. It means an educated guess.

If you want to have this argument that you have proposed, then why stop with just the Judeo-Christian version of creation myths. The Ibo have some great ones. So do the Hopi, the Germans, the Mayans, and even the Chinese (Han). Maybe kids should have a chance to check them all out -- a good place would be a comparative religion class.

The universe DOES NOT CARE what you believe. Stand at Ground Zero during a nuclear detonation and you WILL become plasma. Deny the facts of evolution all you want, animals and plants will continue to evolve.

And, uh, those other scientists that you mention -- aren't.

Answer 3

First, why does everyone think that Darwin didn't believe in God? He did!!! Yeesh!! Secondly, yes, I believe that the theory of evolution and creationism should both taught. Frankly, I learned about both in my world history class, and I'm a better and more knowledgeable person for it

Answer 4

Because of the seperation of church and state, religion cannot be taught in the classroom.

When I was in school, we were taught both, but that was like a hundred years ago!

You also have to understand that there are many households that are not Christians, and teaching Creationism would go against their beliefs.

So at this stage of the game, I believe it should be more like this. "Scientists believe the Earth evolved, but many religions throughout the world hold different beliefs."

You can teach your own child what your beliefs are in your own home.

Answer 5

If creation is going to be taught, it needs to be a comparative religions class under the social studies groups. There are more creation stories in the world than the Judeo-Christian version. If you want to teach Genesis, you'll need to teach the pagan creation stories right along side it. Or not at all.

Answer 6

Only Darwins explanation. It's not a theory, its a fact. If you start with creationism you would have to teach all faiths version of the start and that's not science it's social studies.

Answer 7

I'm fine with both being taught, as long as evolution is in science class, and creationism is in a class on religion.

Answer 8

No. Religion doesn't belong in public school.

Answer 9

Exactly as tonalc1 said. He's got it right.