What are some of the values at stake in the idea of teaching religious theories in schools?

Question

To state it better, when it comes down to the idea of teaching evolution and/or/or not creationism, what are the values at stake and involved in the debate? What threats are there to these values in any given scenario?

What are the alternatives?

Answer 1

Mainly, do we want to teach science or mythology in a science course at school.

Answer 2

Teaching evolution is nonsectarian, whereas teaching of creationism advocates Christianity.

Teaching creationism is only prohibited in public schools, which are run by state funds. Private schools are allowed to teach Creationism because they are not supported by the state.

The basis behind the argument is that the USA is a place for religious freedom. Whereas attending a private school was the students/parents' own decision, a public school is open to all students, and therefore must be open-minded to all students. Not all of the students attending public schools are Christian. If the schools were to teach creationism to its students it would be supporting the Christian idea, which could offend the non-Christian students.

Teaching evolution is allowed because it is based on science, not faith. If the teaching of creationism were allowed, evolution would have to be taught alongside, as well as any other religious explanation. I don't know much about other religions, so I cannot use an actual example, so I'm going to make one up:

Let us assume that in the teachings of Religion B the first human being was the direct result of a cow breeding with a tiger.. and all followers of Religion B firmly believe this.

Now, also assume that the majority of the population are followers of Religion B.

If you, being Christian, sent your child to a public school, would you prefer for him/her to be taught the Cow/Tiger Theory?

The best way to appeal to the masses in the religion factor is by leaving religion out. Evolution is not anti-Christian, it is just simply NOT Christian.

Answer 3

You're making my head hurt! All I can say is that I'm glad I don't have kids. Actually, I've always been glad; I think this becomes reason #44!

Simply stated, though, if some are teaching their kids the creationism thing, this is in direct opposition to that, and could raise confusion. Then the kid is in conflict - who's right - who's lying? It might not actually be that bad. I was raised catholic, and they didn't hammer home creationism. It wasn't a big thing in my family either.

On the other hand, I may have slept through a class where they taught evolution. I honestly don't remember learning about it.....

So perhaps it's not that big a deal. I simply don't know!

Answer 4

It all comes down to whether we want to use our schools to educate or indoctrinate. Evolution is a scientific theory founded on empirical observations. The evidence is mountainous. Creation/ID is based on the teachings and stories past down from more primitive times and empirical evidence does not support these stories. The threat to our values is that if we teach Creationism we will have a population of non-critical thinking zombies who ostracize anyone who looks to science for their answers. If we teach evolution in schools, we'll be readying those children with a future in biological sciences, such as genetic engineering of foods to sustain an ever growing population.

Answer 5

Teaching creationism in schools alongside evolution undermines science. Science has a set of rules for what makes a valid theory. Creationism, intelligent design, or any other theory based on or including the idea of a creator for which there is no evidence breaks these rules. Science relies on measurable evidence. Teaching intelligent design in biology is like teaching alchemy in chemistry, or astrology in astronomy. Science is not democratic, nor should it be. Just because a lot of people believe something does not make it true.

Answer 6

Cretinism - oops, creationism - is religion and "intelligent design" is bullcrap in sheep's clothing. Religion has no place in public schools, end of discussion.

Evolution is the only theory that is scientific and explains all the evidence. Only the ignorant say otherwise.

What is at stake? The intelligence and education of 50 million kids, that's what. If they're taught that religious supposition and religious superstition are "facts", then they'll be unable to think.

The whole purpose of religious dogma is to prevent people from thinking clearly and analytically because the religious *know* that their fairy tales are a load of garbage.

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Answer 7

I believe this is a tremendously important issue which will define what is science and what is not. This is not so much a value as a choice. Do we choose to teach what cannot be proven? Do we fail our children if we give their young and impressionable minds one version or one persons truth, but not hte other? There are thousands of creation myths. *Thousands.* We cannot teach all of them, so instead we should teach only those theories which we can prove, and therfore have a scientific basis. This narrows it down... and also leaves young children the freedom to discover spiritual truth for themselves.

Sorry If this isn't what you were looking for! Its a complicated question.

Answer 8

I am a Christian and I believe in evolution. I teach it in class. I believe that God works in mysterious ways. Evolution may just be one of those ways. I have no problem with religious theories being taught in the classroom(I assume you mean public school), but I think it should be done in an objective manner. No religion should be exalted above the others. It should be taught objectively. Religions of the world and their theories and beliefs should be taught as objectively as the Civil War in a U.S. history class. Public schools should never be put in the position of advocating one religion over another. That is what churches are for.

Answer 9

I'm not sure that "values"/morals should be involved in Science class...but...

I see it as logic vs. faith. To me, everyone has the right to have faith in irrational ideas, but those "values"/ideas should not be taught in science class. Science is about theories, hypotheses, reason, "proof" (or as close as one can come to proof), and experiments. Religion is NOT about any of these things, it is about having faith in something that you can NOT prove.

You can't teach creationism in science class unless you follow provide irrefutable evidence for your claims and (sorry all you religious freaks), but there is NO evidence to back up creationism, so you can't follow the scientific model for a theory!

Answer 10

Validity, for one. You shouldn't teach something in a science class if it's not science. Creationism isn't science. Evolution is. Creationism is religious in nature, and to teach it as literal truth in public biology class violates separation of church and state (you'd be forcing non-christians to answer questions on exams affirming the truth of Genesis or face failing grades, it's kind of like coerced conversion).

There's nothing wrong with creationism in a bible study elective or something of that nature, but only science belongs in science classes.

Addendum: For those of you who don't know, Hitler was a devout Christian and he instituted prayer in schools in the 30's, as well as signed a concordat with the Vatican.. they even sent a cardinal to personally congratulate him every year on his birthday.

Addendum part 2: As to why this debate is important, if people actually understood the scientific method, there wouldn't even BE any debate. The fact that there is (and funny how it's only in the Bible belt of America) is a testament to the shortcomings of our education system of the past 50 years. People don't understand science, they don't understand that bio-engineering is the future of science and technology and that's why the future of stem cell research in America is uncertain, which is forcing our best scientists to leave for the Philippines and other countries. At stake is the long term ability of America to be a leader in technological and medical advances.

Answer 11

If they want to teach the christian view of creation along with all other religious views of creation in a religion class, fine.

Just don't teach it as science. Evolution invloves thousands of scientists doing decades of research and then having it scrutinized by the scientific community. That makes it science.