Allright i'm doing a persuasive essay and need some opinions. Do you think evolution should be taught in school? if it is do you think creationism or itelligent design should be taught as well? Please be serious.
2007-02-27 09:27:31 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I don't think theories should be taught below 12th grade level and if you ARE going to teach them you need to teach ALL theories.
You shouldn't for example, teach Big Bang without also mentioning Steady State.
To do so is to fail to give people options and to present one sided answers that are unproven.
2007-02-27 14:23:50 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
Evolution is a theory based in scientific fact. So YES, evolution should be taught in science classrooms throughout the U.S.
On the other hand, Creationism (I.D.) is 100% fantasy with NO supporting *facts* (other than a 2000 year old story). I would not be opposed to it being taught in a *mythology* class with the rest of the world's creation myths, but I DO NOT think it should be taught in a science class.
2007-02-27 17:33:19 · answer #2 · answered by swordarkeereon 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
I once tutored students in taking standardized tests such as the SAT, etc. The one thing I always told them was that standardized tests test you on one thing: how well you take standardized tests.
This debate is tiresome but here's my take on it, akin to the above:
The theory of evolution is a scientific theory, based on the best methods and data we have available today. Science doesn't say anything about God or Jesus or Mohammed or the creation of the universe or why anything exists or anything like that. It simply attempts to understand the mechanisms and laws apparent to us by which the natural world functions. It is based on a set of axioms like any other branch of knowledge - which may or may not be true. But to scientists, this is how they do things. If a person wants to take issue with the theory of evolution, then they have to take issue with 500+ years of scientific methodology and (more recently) the peer-review process. But fundamentally, science is about the application of a set of SCIENTIFIC principles to answer a set of questions about the universe. Even if all the scientists in the world who have ever lived claimed that science does more than this (e.g., answers the question of if there is a God or not) it doesn't make it true.
Religion is a set of beliefs which guide us in our lives. Whether any particular text or belief was given to us by a higher power or not is not a scientific question but one for religious debate. Religion does not belong in a science classroom for one reason. That reason is NOT because it is "wrong" but rather because it is inconsistent with the methodology of scientific inquiry. It is not a question of "is it right to" inject religion into a science class. I has to be understood that this is literally impossible. Religion is a wholly different way of approaching truth which does not follow a set of scientific principles. If it did, it would be science. Since it does not, it is not. Period.
Do I believe that Creationism/ID should be taught in a school? Of course I do. I also believe that all approaches to truth should be taught, including both science and creationism. Don't limit it to science or creationism.
But do I believe that creationism should be taught in a SCIENCE class? No.
In relation to my opening paragraph:
Science teaches you one thing: how to use the scientific method. That's it. If you use it, you're conducting science. If not, you're doing something else.
2007-02-27 17:55:33 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Evolution in Science, Creationism in Comparative Religion.
2007-02-27 17:31:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Evolution already IS taught in real schools.
Sure, you can talk about creationism and intelligent design---in a mythology or sociology or psychology, but not in science classes.
2007-02-27 17:42:30 · answer #5 · answered by Nina 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Anyone who wants religion taught in school should be wary that the religion taught in schools may not be the the one they adhere too.
Teach facts, and theories supported by scientific investigation in science class. Save religion for religious or philosophy classes That is where the discussion of wheter or not God started the process (as I believe he did) belongs.
2007-02-27 17:41:06 · answer #6 · answered by G's Random Thoughts 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Oh ya, here comes the good stuff.
You'll likely get a lot of unsupported answers claiming evolution to be untrue and unsupported answers claiming ID to be logical... I suggest immediately ignoring those answers as the truth is:
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE SUPPORTS EVOLUTION!!!
There is absolutely no proof whatsoever regarding intelligent design, ID is merely used as an answer if we do not know. If something happens and we're not sure how, it must be a creator god... and that is an unlogical, unsupported leap of faith.
Evolution is supported by genetic similarities, fossil records, as well as observable occurances such as animal breeding and embryonic growth. I suggest searching for the video of the dolphin embryo growing (as it clearly indicates that dolphins evolved from a quadripedic creature with forward nostrils and feet bones) as well as looking at the skeletal similarities of hippos and.... WHALES! I know, its surprising to learn that they whales are the closest family to hippos via documentable skeletal analysis.
There are also several logical fallacies one must overcome to beleive in a creator god such as those described in the 3 main monotheistic religions. Research Free will vs. omnipotence, as well as examine the nature of a perfect being vs. creation of evil (how can an all good god create evil to plague his beloved creations?). It is common belief that a god would exceed our understanding of time and space (exists everywhere at once) thus creating the arguements of free will and the idea of knowing a creations fate will be negative, yet creating said creation regardless (knowing a person will go to hell for not believing in god, yet the god creates the person regardless, essentially proving "god" purposely tortures its creation).
Sorry to tangent, to sum it up... ID should not be taught in school as it is in no way relevant or supported or even documentable. Evolution is merely a scientifically observable process that accounts for the natural adaptation and developement of life on earth and should be taught as it is objectively obtained, highly supportable material which attempts to ascribe process to life on earth. It should also be noted that evolution itself does not indicate the origin of life (that would be abiogenesis) and as such is not directly competative to religion (such as ID is). Many religions have incorporated evolution, as it is so heavily supportable, and those that do not are directly rejecting evidence to follow the ideal of blind faith. To allow ID into schools would be to destroy the seperation of church and state, effectively nulling the foundations this country was built on.
2007-02-27 17:34:17 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Evolution definitely should. Intelligent design and creationism aren't worth the children's time.
2007-02-27 17:36:47 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
religion should not be taught in schools. besides everyone has different religions. evolution should be taught--it will take away many misconceptions people have toward it. they are not mutually exclusive. i believe in both.
2007-02-27 17:34:20 · answer #9 · answered by E.T.01 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
there are facts supporting evolution ... this should be taught in science
there are beliefs in creation ... this should be taught in religious education ... along with every other religious belief
2007-02-27 17:33:18 · answer #10 · answered by Peace 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋