I'm sure that this issue may have been raised in a few classrooms. You are the teacher trying to teach evolution, and a few students want to bring up what they've been taught. How do you teach the subject with to them, while being respectful of their beliefs, and having them understand that what you're teaching is important?
2006-10-18 00:11:06 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Just tell them there are 2 major theories of thought on the subject, and what you are teaching is just one of them. It is both truthful and diplomatic, without insulting their beliefs. It enriches them to know that there is more than one way in this world to look at things. And the more they know about any subject, the more they can make intelligent decisions about their own opinions & beliefs.
2006-10-18 00:24:52 · answer #1 · answered by Maewest 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
There are many views on the orgins of the universe. Just tell the student that each of us has our own views. Then tell them that in science they only work off evidence and for science that leads to evolution as the reason. Let them know that school is in place to teach different theories (as we all know evolution is a theory as well) and you are suppose to teach the most scientific. Tell them to learn the material for the exam. THe thing is honesty it is not particularly "important" each can have a view point so don't push it just present it as a theory. That is what all my college profs have done.
2006-10-18 02:16:10 · answer #2 · answered by i_luv_vball21 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can't tell them that the bible is just a collection of parables. Their parents will have you fired. I would suggest teaching evolution as "evidence of evolution" instead of the real science that it is. According to fundamentalist Christians, man has only been on the planet for around 5000 years. You and I know this not to be true, but it may be very difficult to convince students of this. You'll be confronted with..."Are you telling me that the Bible is full of lies?"
When I was in the 9th grade, I went to an Episcopal private school that was required by the state of Tennessee, to teach Theology and Ancient History, giving equal time to both. This worked out very well, I think.
2006-10-18 00:30:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Their beliefs are important. (I personally believe in creation.) Now, how this creation took place, no one knows for sure. Sure, God could have just said, "Boom" and there was a man, but he also could have put evolution into place to come up with man. No one knows for sure. But Evolution is only a thoery (just as Creation is) and this should be explained to the students. This way they will learn that different people can have different beliefs on the same subject.
Remember, we has humans have evolved from the earliest of man. Look at our appendix. Useless now, but is believed to have once been a necessary part of our digestive system (assisted in digesting improperly cooked meat). Our bodies are no longer built for physical labor like they once were. We no longer need our bodies to pick cotton, or dig a ditch, or cut down a tree, there are machines to do it for us.
This is why races of people who are not as far removed from their primitave ancestors still have a different physical shape than others. African natives and their "cousins" here in America have similar shapes. Caucasians have not had this same shape for 1000's of years because they have been "civilized" longer. This is an example of evolution. Same goes for the Pacific Islanders.
2006-10-18 00:25:55 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
In fact, evolution does not in any way conflict with true Christian beliefs. I am a devout Christian and also a professional biologist. My church however does not try to dictate to me what scientific data I can accept and what I must reject. However, you can't say this to kids in class. About the only honest response you can offer is that this is a science class and therefore my job is to teach the scientific view. If your personal religious views don't agree with the scientific findings, then it is your right to choose what you want to believe.
2006-10-18 03:52:33 · answer #5 · answered by PaulCyp 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Explain that you are merely teaching the components of a theory so they are able to compare that with what they learn in church, so they can make an educated decision on which to believe. Ask them to show you the respect they would expect a Sunday school teacher would be given when he/she performs their teaching duties.
2006-10-18 00:26:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Explain to them that the other students have the right to learn about evolution, and that 'creationism' is best left in Sunday school. If they don't believe evolution they can ignore it.
2006-10-18 00:17:10 · answer #7 · answered by Phoenix 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are teaching them in school, you could let them know they may be exempt, or tell the class before you teach it thatThis is one of several theories and maybe they will be more willing to learn "just a theory" I'm a creationist myself and my teacher did the latter of the two and made me feel more at ease.
2006-10-18 02:05:54 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If what you said is true then you don't need some one to tell you how make someone to believe in evolution ; )
2006-10-18 01:15:20 · answer #9 · answered by mms 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say that if they want you to respect their beliefs, they should respect yours. It never hurts to hear as many sides to a story as they can. Its important to have basic knowledge and if they choose to continue disbelieving in evolution, its their own choice.
2006-10-18 00:20:14 · answer #10 · answered by grease_junkie 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋