Biased public schools (Creation vs. Evolution)?

Question

I have read many statements here on Yahoo! Answers claiming that public school systems teach creationism instead of evolution. I have noted it to be the exact opposite.

If the public school systems truly want to be unbiased, don’t you think one of the following solutions is better?

Solution #1 – Creationism and Evolutionism are not necessary to teaching children the basics of science. These theories, therefore, should not be discussed in grade or middle school. And the theory should be an elective course in high school, if taught at public schools at all. The fact is, neither theory can be proven. And neither is necessary to learn chemistry, physics, or biology at these ages and neither theory should be forced on children.

Or

Solution #2 – If the schools want to teach this subject to grade school, they should present it in a non-biased way. Instead of saying either theory is wholly correct, shouldn’t’ they present the students with several theories on how the world came to point it is at (introducing theories from different religions and the different scientific theories). Discuss the major points of each theory and leave it to the students to decide which theory they feel is correct. As I stated above, none of these theories can be wholly proven or disproven, so all points of view are valid.

If one argues they want the schools to be unbiased, shouldn’t leave subjects such as this alone, elective, or present all sides of the argument in a factual, non-biased way?

Saint - The question was not about which theory is correct. Both have the evidences that believers latch onto. Evolution has fossils. Creationism has faith. Neither fossils nor faith can be negated by the opposing sides. Please stick to the question at hand, which is about a way to present this subject to students in a no-biased manner.

Krpton - Evolution is a theory that is still being patched together, and having errors found in it. For example, recent DNA studies have turned old theories about evolution on their heads and turned evolutionist onto whole new roads about how we evolved. That makes it a theory still being worked out. Not a definitive theory such as gravity, which has been tested in space, on the moon and at different sea levels here on Earth.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17542627/site/newsweek/ - While the article supports evolution as a whole, it does show how evolution theories have to be changed to fit new evidences, thus showing that it is a theory in work.

Bad Mother - I'm not talking all theories. I'm talking highly debated theories that divide the country almost in half. The country is not battling over whether or not the periodic table of contents is accurate or not. We are not arguing about how electricity works. We are fighting about theology. If you only show one side of a hotly debated theology in this country to the youth, you are not being unbiased. You are trying to sway them as impressionable youths to agree with one side, instead of reviewing the ideas of the many sides and deciding for themselves which fits the truths they have been raised to believe.

Perv - You can teach a child how cells work without teaching them the idea of evolution.

Dharma - I disagree. Believing in Evolution is just as much a religion for those that believe in it as Creationism is for those of faith. By definition, religion is a body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices. Evolutionists believe in their theory as strongly as Creationists do, and base their judgments in science off of it.

Aldo - Many call teaching children one thing, to only dispute it later, bad science and a form of brainwashing. Do you know how many times I have been accused of brainwashing my children because I do not expose them to different religions? This is the same type of thing. If groups want to say my raising my child in a particular religion is brainwashing, then so is only exposing them to one theory about how the world developed.

Jett - Aren't you brainwashing my children by forcing them to learn what I believe to be a faulty science? By trying to force kids to believe in something before they are old enough to make an informed decision? I remember as a child being taught things at school as if they were fact and believing them for years, despite my parents trying to show me the fallacy of these teachings. I firmly believe, based on personal experience, that what you teach in elementary school effects a child’s learning forever. Therefore, something that is so contradictory to a major part of the populations fundamental beliefs should be taught as fact in public education.

Sister - You seem to be the only one that gets my point. LOL

I do not argue that either should be taught as science, as I am a Creationist and base my belief on faith. I argue that it should be presented as a philosophical type class, if at all, where the differing points of view are shown to the students. You could even use it as a forum to teach them to debate. Have Christian kids debate the side of Evolution and atheist children support the side of Creationism. This gives them a good understanding of both theories and lets them make an informed decision on which they believe is correct.

I never stated that Creationism is a scientific theory. I am quite aware it does not fall into this category because it is based on faith and not tangible evidence. I am putting them forth as Theological theories. Not every theory in the world is scientific. And as a theological theory, I do not believe either should be mandatory in the public education. I feel that they should both be electives at high school and above.

Also, when discussing evolution, I should clarify something. I do believe in the science of evolution pertaining to animals. I believe that to be how Noah's Ark was successful, and that the animals on that ark were the parents of the major sub-species we have today. I do not, however, believe that man evolved from any kind of ape and it is that idea that I protest being taught in public schools.

Another thought. Many people here are saying Creationism from any religions point of view can not be taught in public schools because it is religious, not scientific. Really? And how many of you learned about Roman, Greek, or Egyptian theologies in school as part of ancient history? How many of you learned about Mormonism because of studies on the settlement of the US west? How many of you learned about Catholosim and Lutherans in European history? We teach our children about different theologies in the public education system all the time. The only reason this is different is because it is such a hot, political debate.

Answer 1

I think both should be taught in a nonbaised way. After all, I may subscribe to the Christian Creation theory, but if Creationism is taught, then there are some very interesting myths that can be covered (like the Japanese Creation myth). Maybe take a day to teach Evolution and a day to go over various Creation myths? Fair, unbaised, and shows many sides.