If you are open minded, why not allow evolution to be taught as a possible theory?

Question

evolution isnt taught in private schools.

i went to one for 12 years, i was taught creation when i was 5. never was i even taught the idea of evolution.

so if creation should be taught in public schools why not evolution in private?

Answer 1

fun argument chippy, but it would open the door to creationism in public schools. Something which will not fly.

We do not teach alternatives to the theory of gravity. We do not allow children to 'decide' if 1+1 should equal 2 or 3.

Answer 2

evolution isn't taught in private schools for the same reason creation isn't taught in public schools. They contradict each other. The separation of church and state forbids creation to be taught in public schools because it might offend all of the non-Christian students. Remember, America is a melting pot of culture. People come from all over the world to get a sub-par education. Evolution is taught as a biological process, not as an argument against creation.

Answer 3

I suspect you similarly weren't taught the true nature of science...

A scientific theory is not simply a guess as we use the word in vernacular or slang... the scientific meaning for "theory" is something that's tested, observed, repeated, falsifiable (but not yet shown false) and is accurate and true virtually 100% of the time. A scientific theory is essentially a fact.

Other theories include gravity, stress theory (which is what we use to build bridges, buildings, dams and other engineering feats), quantum theory (what computers and cell phones rely on), and so on... computers, skyscrapers, planes, medicine and all sorts of things wouldn't even exist if theories weren't true 100% of the time.

Evolution is taught in some private schools, but it's often grossly distorted so I don't know which is worse... private schools say evolution says we evolved from monkeys (we didn't, we share a common ancestor), that it's random chance (evolution and natural selection is the opposite of random), and they use other misconceptions to make the theory appear weak when it's a known fact of biology.

I think if evolution is to be taught in private schools it should be from a guest biologists or someone who understands the theory. Teaching misconceptions and spreading outrageous lies about evolution, darwinism and so on is far more damaging than ignoring it.

Answer 4

Many private schools are christian schools and they simply follow the bible, not secular teachings. I went to public school in Germany and we had religion class and were taught about evolution, which made no sense to me. My own children were homeschooled. I taught them creation because that is what we believe, but I also talked about evolution and other religions, because to understand one has to be educated. They made up their minds right then and there what they believed.

Answer 5

I went to public school, but my husband went to a private Catholic high school and a private Catholic college. He was taught the theory of evolution at both levels. Why are you generalizing what you claim was your experience?

Answer 6

I don't mind evolution being taught as a theory, so long as creation is also taught as a theory. Even if different creation stories were touched on or briefly discussed in order to appease different views, or if creation was discussed in an impersonal manner. But we do not know any of them as fact.

Answer 7

I am not against the theory of evolution at all. I only wish it not to be taught as fact, in which most of the schools textbooks will tell you it is.

I would be more than happy if they would acknowledge it as a theory but the truth of the matter is, they don't they wish to believe it is fact when clearly it is still in the theory phase. Not much evidence there to support it.

So by all means go and teach it as a theory, but stop proclaiming it as a fact when it is clearly not a fact yet!

Answer 8

I think evolution should be taught in private and public schools, some philosophy of science should be thought too.

Answer 9

The best idea is to put say 5 questions on the topic in SATs .

Kids have to read it then. And surely, kids about to go to college should know of something so basic.

You know, In my country , we don't allow fundamentalists to meddle with our curricula. My science text book in school covered evolution in detail, and mentioned that Christian church maintains that world was created by God in 6 days, On 1st dayblah blah blah, second day, yada yada yada and so on. Along with other beliefs' theories.

A science class should offer major scientific theories to students, and encourage them to think about them, and discuss them. There are other ways to find out about God.

If you are so worried, hold a special mass for children of religious minded parents on the day they are taught evolution. After school, and entirely optional. Surely bible toting parents won'tmind picking up their children 1 hr late, would they?

Strange thing is, children in schools ( Not madarassas) in islamic countries are taught evolution. And Christians always say Muslims are suppressing the right to speech etc. in their countries

Answer 10

Evolution is taught in many private schools. You might want to ask your old school why they sold you short.