Intelligent design vs evolution in the classroom. Should both be taught or just evolution?

Question

I am writing a paper on the pros and cons of teaching evolution on its own or alongside intelligent design in biology classes and would like to get different viewpoints. Please be respectful - I'm just gathering opinions, not passing judgement on either side. Thanks.

Answer 1

As a scientist, I feel very strongly that intelligent design should not be taught in science classes, because it is a religious idea that is being presented as science. Unfortunately, it simply is NOT. However, I have no problem with intelligent design being taught in a philosophy or religion course because that is precisely what it is. In fact, I believe that the proponents of intelligent design are damaging their cause by trying to pretend that their idea is science when it is not. I think it would be better to simply present their views honestly as a religious idea.
Note that I am also a religious person and I feel that there is no reason that a single person can not believe that evolution is a fact while having a strong faith.

Answer 2

Evolution is science, it can be tested.(DNA tests for example) Intelligent Design is not a science since it cannot be tested. The I.Ders are now down to quibbling over micro and macro evolution since it is way easier to show that micro-evolution is taking place all the time....different strains of colds and flu for example, than it would be to show macro evolution which simply takes generations upon generations and no-one lives that long. All indications point to Evolution being a solid science but Intelligent Design pops up now and then whenever Creationists have a new idea....like excluding micro-evolution from the argument for example.
By the way, science has nothing to say about whether or not God exists...they're just not looking for Him...wouldn't it be great if they found Him by accident tho'.....lol

Answer 3

In a general Science or Biology class, evolution should be taught. Like all the other topics in such courses, the theory of evolution was developed and tested using the standard scientific method. It has held up to years of research and is consistent with all current scientific evidence.

However, there are other venues in which a side-by-side discussion could be appropriate. These could include courses on philosophy or critical thinking.

Answer 4

There is no place in a science class for intelligent design. Evolution is based on science, so it is taught in science class. Since there is no science for intelligent design, it shouldn't be part of that. It can, however, be taught in an anthropology class, or another subject that more accurately fits the belief.

Answer 5

The question is not really answerable as is.

It doesn't matter if you teach either both or neither.

What matters is the ethical context you place whatever it is you choose to teach. It is impossible to teach anything without an ethical context. That means, teachers cannot help but imply that they think it is good or bad to believe in the concepts of evolution or of intelligent design.

So, it is necessary to be honest and complete. Teachers need to inform their students that this, evolution, is the scientifically established truth. They need to teach that many people, maybe most, don't believe it entirely. They should state what they personally believe so it is clear. They need to tell students to discuss it with their parents.

As in most things, the question is not what, but how. Or, it doesn't matter how many or few "creation" concepts are taught so long as they are taught sensitively and honestly and without propogandizing.

Good luck with your essay. I doubt this rant was helpful but I think we normally ask and answer the wrong questions. Like what instead of how. Or why instead of what.

Answer 6

Teach them both. I think it's interesting that in today's world that people who believe in evolution are so threatened by the idea of creation by intelligent design. What happened to being fair and balanced? If they are truly right, they would have no need to be threatened and, therefore, should teach them both. What would be the problem with that? Besides that, I think it wise to have all sides to the story (or at least the proposed story). The real truth is bound to come out because of it.

I personally do not believe this will ever happen. Evolutionists have too much to lose if intelligent design is right. One thing I can say is that people who believe in creation by intelligent design, have no problem putting their belief up against the theory of evolution. I can't say the same for evolutionists. It just doesn't make sense why they wouldn't if they are so sure that they are correct....and now I'm back to my original thought.

Good luck with your paper!

Answer 7

Personally, I feel both should be taken out of the classroom. This has become such a hot, touchy subject, it's only causing a distraction. Remove the distractions and perhaps the students can learn skills. Evolution or intelligent design should be taught at home just as belief in God or Higher Being or not is. We are allowing our school systems too much power and influence in the minds of our children

Answer 8

Intelligent design has nothing to do with any recognized science. The intent of its originators was to discredit evolution, not to coexist harmoniously with Darwinian concepts.

I've yet to see any convincing arguments in regards to intelligent design that don't resort to religious practices, which makes it wholly incompatible with the non-denominational spirit of American government and its laws. As far as public schools are concerned, intelligent design has no place there.

Answer 9

Only science and evolution should be taught in public schools. Intelligent design is based on religion and I believe violates the constitutional "separation of church and state."

Answer 10

Save intelligent design for theology courses, it does not begin to fit in the realm of science.

Science is about developing theories based on real world observations, and then looking for evidence to prove or disprove those theories. The idea behind intelligent design or creationism comes from a belief which is not observable, not testable, and to date, no solid evidence for or against this idea has surfaced. Supporters can only point to evidence against Evolution, evidence that in many cases has proven to be falsified or mis-interpreted, to support their position.

By contrast Darwin, Mendell and others came about the theory of evolution via scientific method, direct observations and repeatable experimentation. A mountain of evidence for and against the theory has been created and continues to grow. While there are many major flaws in the theory of evolution - this leaves plenty of room for other theories about other process to explain how life has changed and adapted through time, which can only complement Darwin's work!

In the words of Mary Schweitzer (scientist who discovered soft tissue in fossilized T-rex bones - she highly disagrees with the Creationist interpretation of her own work) science and religion represent two different ways of looking at the world; invoking the hand of God to explain natural phenomena breaks the rules of science. After all, she says, what God asks is faith, not evidence. “If you have all this evidence and proof positive that God exists, you don’t need faith. I think he kind of designed it so that we’d never be able to prove his existence. And I think that’s really cool.” (Smithsonian.com)