Is there any way that can I get "excused" from having to take evolution class in Biology?

Question

I am a Christian and I don't believe in evolution. I go to a public school, El Diamante high in Visalia to be exact, but I want to be excused from having to take the evolution course in Biology. Is there any way that I can be legitimately excused from it? Please help me!

Answer 1

Live up children's dream and blow up the school. I suppose tho that isn't really legitmate. Man, I don't know. Try talking to the princible I suppose. But if you can't get out of it, try going to http://www.answersingenesis.org/, not so much to have a debate with the teacher, but just so you know that there is more than one side of the story. Good on ya, by the way, I'm a christian too (except I go to a christian school in Australia so things are different here).

Answer 2

I suppose next we will be hearing from the " flat eathers " and the anti gravity society. I an a Darwinian and I don't believe in christianity, but I am subjected to it every day. If I am invited to a wedding at a church that I do not believe in, I still go to honor the couple involved. Evolution is the bedrock of biology, even though you might find a biologist or two who might disagree. They would be in error, though, and so are you. You go to a public school; we have separation of church and state: I do not see why a exemption need be extended to you. I suggest you open you mind, perhaps you will learn the truth.

Answer 3

Get over yourself.

I didn't want to take PE in high School, and got beaten with dodge balls by guys years older than me on a daily basis. I still had to do it, and I survived.

I really didn't want to take Statistics class in college, but it was part of the degree program and I sucked it up and did it.

Why can't you imagine a God who is powerful enough to use natural forces to build His creation. I find nothing contradictory between religious beliefs about creation and the theory of evolution.

You ever wonder why you need a new flu shot every year? It is because the flu virus evolves from year to year into forms that fool our bodies defenses.

At least. If you want to refute the theory with religious arguments, it would be wise to know the details of what you are arguing against.

Answer 4

** there is a difference between christian schools and catholic schools to the person above... the jesuits and catholics have a very established and progressive educational focus... the educations in these schools and universities are diverse and realistic. catholics generally do not take the bible literally, as other christians do. i was taught evolution in my 9th grade biology class at a catholic high school, and that was in the mid-90s. (and no i'm not catholic) ** that being said, most people who have a christian background are brainwashed by the time they are teenagers and if they were taught evolution, they simply rejected it because it is not a simple concept to many, and having been spoon-fed lies about what evolution actually is by, say their pastors, since childhood, we can't expect them to actually learn with an unbiased mind. and, as also stated above, many schools (mainly christian schools) teach creation, and in biology, omit the whole concept of the tree of life all together. it's fear...

Answer 5

No one says you have to believe in evolution ... although I would submit that the theory of evolution is not the same as religious belief.

I presume that, as a Christian, you believe Jesus is the son of god, was of virgin birth and was resurrected after death, correct?

It is then YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to prove the validity of your belief. If you can not, then rationally, your belief is suspect. No disrespect to Jesus, his followers or the Christian faith, but to date, there is no scientific evidence to indicate that Jesus was anyone other a Jewish carpenter and Rabbi.

With respect to the theory of evolution, Darwin and scores of scientists since him, have provided considerable physical evidence (especially from the fossil record) supporting their claims. There is not, to date, any physical or historical evidence indicating the existence of god.

If your belief in god is so strong, why would you want to get out of a biology class? Are you afraid that your beliefs can not stand up to scrutiny?

Besides, most Christians accept biological science as correct, do they not? Do Christians not believe in cellular structure, DNA, etc?

Don't try to get out of your biology class. If your beliefs are so strong, they'll stand up to any scientific data that might be imparted. But you may find room in your heart and mind for both your faith and a healthy skepticism.

Besides, if an all-knowing, all-powerful god exists, doesn't it follow that such a god would be logical and reasonable? And if that logical god exists, would that god not want people to understand and appreciate "his" works in all their glory rather than blindly follow a religion with a very nasty history of genocide, racism, sexism and classism?

Answer 6

The theory of evolution is not against religious ideals. It does not teach that man evolved from monkeys as most uninformed people think. It teaches that living things have changed over the history of their existence on Earth. The is ample evidence that living things have changed - and it is not just humans.

Keep an open mind during your lessons on evolution and have ample information of your own to challenge ideas. I taught Earth science one year and had a student who felt that the Earth was only 10,000 years old as he was taught in his church. He kept an open mind as I taught my unit on the history of the Earth and asked very intelligent questions which taught the class to think of other points of view. A good teacher will welcome the educated ideas put forth by students.

Answer 7

Well, seemingly you think you should have the right to remain ignorant.
If all you believe in is a fairy tale book that contradicts itself (se link, if you dare), then perhaps it is your call; but look at this this way: do you think that being exposed to those arguments and fact (that you think run against your faith) is going to just scare you or even lead you to being convinced that evolution makes more sense than your mumbo jumbo make believe creationism?
Do you really think that turning a blind eye to those facts is going to make them go away?

Why don't you take the evolution class and see if you can find a flaw? I dare you.

Answer 8

Do you also not believe in gravity? Should not believing in gravity be a valid excuse for not attending Physics class?

You claim that you do not accept the validity of evolutionary theory, yet by your own admission you are completely unwilling to actually learn anything about the theory, presumably in fear that it will somehow shatter your belief system.

If your beliefs are so fragile that merely learning about something that may contradict them could destroy them, perhaps your faith isn't as strong as you think it is.

Answer 9

Probably not. It is tought in biology because it is a biological fact that creatures evolve and adapt to their environment. You can ask your teacher if you want to, but it is probably better to just take the class. It's not that bad. And you won't be going against your religion, you will just be listening to someone elses point of view. No harm in that.

Answer 10

You will find flaws and only ignorant people would say otherwise. I know the same problem as I am a christian as well and i say to all the Evolution believers "The Missing Link!!!, well it is still Missing!!! Its called the bible. hahaha

Anyway before i get myself into to much trouble, i think you have 2 options.
1. Speak to the Principal or the person in charge of your year and explain your dilemma with them to see if there is alternative outcome.
2. You could take the class and learn more about why people believe in evolution and then when a person who wants to argue the point with you on why you believe in Christianity and creation you may have learnt enough in class to have a really good come back. The worse thing a Christian can do is be ignorant to evolution as it will be one of the biggest questions people have in regards to creation and God. So I would go a be educated on Evolution and then you have more of understanding when people throw questions about it at you. Education is Power.

Good luck make the right decision.

Answer 11

There is a difference between having to learn subject matter and having to accept it for yourself. You need to understand the basic science of evolution for your college ACT/SAT test, if nothing else.

In my protestant Sunday School class we study all kinds of world religions. We feel it is important to understand about other religions.

In history class, you learn about history.
In science class, you must learn science. Evolution is a basic idea that underlies biological science, and you need to understand the idea.