Why should evolution be taught in classrooms?

Answer 1

Because it is science. It unifies all of biology.

Not teaching evolution is like not teaching gravity or not teaching that the earth is spherical.

Oh yeah... umm Intelligent Design is not a theory.. hell I wouldn't even consider it a valid hypothesis.
ID is equal to creationism in that it is not Science and therefore should not be taught in science classes.

Answer 2

First, there is a lot of confusion by some responding on the word theory. The term "theory" in science is different that we usually hear it in common parlance. For example, a scientific theory is NOT just a whim or idea. It refers to something that has been repeatedly tested in different ways, has never been falsified by these tests, and is supported by a large body of scientific evidence. Scientific theories include the theory of gravity or the theory of evolution. The evidence is overwhelming.

Evolution, being a scientific theory, should be taught in science classes. It is also pivotal to understanding most things in biology and medicine.

Evolution is different than intelligent design, which is not science in any way. ID utilizes another explanatory system for what happens in the world. Other explanatory systems are religion, myth, and magic. ID is not science, because it does not pose testable hypotheses that can be falsified by data. Hypotheses related to evolution can be tested in a scientific framework.

For more information on what science is and more about the scientific theory of evolution, visit "Understanding Evolution": evolultion.berkeley.edu

For more information on intelligent design and why it isn't science, and thus should not be taught along side evolution in science classes, visit the National Center for Science Eduction at: www.natcenscied.org/

Answer 3

WAIT WAIT WAIT.... I think you want to ask why shouldn't evolution be taught in classrooms. Evolution is part of the biology curriculum because it is the basis / unifying principal of all biology. The only reason this should be prevented is because you're more interested in dogma than education.

BTW, if you're a fan of the evolution is god's way of creating life you should recognize that A) this is deism and B) not compatable with the idea of a personal god (i.e. unchristian).
While "B" is almost enough reason to make me cheer for the idea it's still rubish.

P.S.S. The only "competition" evolution has is in the mind of the lay person. The academic scientific community speaks with one voice - "evolution exists, occurs and is still occurring."

To consider ID as a competing theory is the wishful thinking of a dying cult.

Answer 4

Everyone in the world needs to know about, and have a basic understading of evolutionary theory. The fact of the matter is that a failure to understand evolution leads to societal harm. For instance, politicians who lack an understanding of evolution will fail to recognize the potential consequences of decisions they might make (e.g., biological controls on invasive species). Physicians and their patients need to understand so that they can avoid prescribing antibiotics when they won't help. And every adult needs to understand so that they can vote for politicians who are intelligent enough to make decisions based on scientific data, and not mythology.

Finally, why would anyone think that learning about evolution (the single most important scientific discovery of all time) was some how less important than learning about Shakespear? The fact, however, is that often times pressure from religious groups leads schools to avoid teaching about evolution. It's really quite a sad commentary on our society that we prioritize art, literature, entertainment, and sports education above scientific in many circles.

Answer 5

Is it wrong to teach that the Earth is NOT the center of the universe/galaxy/solar system? Before anyone answers… YES, there are people who's religious beliefs conflict with this idea (and as such insist that the Earth is not only the center of the solar system but also flat) Should we pander to the children of parents that believe that? Or should we teach science? Ask any biologist (or hell, anyone in the biology section of this pathetic little forum) evolutionary theory is a central tenant of understanding modern biology. To not teach it would be like not teaching cell theory, or atomic theory in chemistry, or photon theory or gravitational theory in physics. If people's religious beliefs conflict with our current knowledge, it's those people's problem… not the school board's… and certainly not the students. How many biological surveys or pharmaceutical firms do you think accept creationist models of existence? *hint* ZERO… There's a reason for that...

Answer 6

Because the purpose of science education is to give everyone a basic foundation in:
1) What science is, and
2) The leading theories currently held by scientists.

These are only the basics ... but a basic part of every education is to understand at least a *little* bit of what the scientists currently think.

And currently, evolution is the backbone of modern biology.

Basically, biology doesn't make much sense without evolution.

Answer 7

Evolution is a part of a complete science education. Our understanding of biology is based on, in large part, an understanding of the mechanism of evolution. It belongs in the classroom.

Answer 8

In science it is important to present all possible theories in order to learn about the methodology behind the subject. Evolution should be taught in schools because it is sound scientific theory. Likewise, Creationism should be taught in concurrence with Evolution because science cannot disprove Creationism.

Answer 9

because it explains what happened after God got everything rolling.....
God gave us free will, and I'm pretty sure he let things do their own thing...and that includes allowing those best suited to an environment surviving and letting those that are not die out...

It explains WHY things change, rather than not thinking at all (ie in saying God did it....God may have got life going and in essence he created everything as everything that came from those primative things, has lead to EVERYTHING alive today...)......
It opens up the mind to seeing scientific EVIDENCE and seeing so many examples of evolution you cannot fail to see why people believe in its ideas....

Why be blinded by what SOME religous people properganda a hundred years ago have lead to millions refusing to beleive a critical idea that actually helps us to understand the workings of many different things and areas (eg antibiotic resistance in bacteria, genetic engineering, ecology and envrionments, artificial selelction (ie ALL out food that we eat and all out pets are the result of this) etc etc etc etc

Answer 10

One of the marks of an education person is the knowledge he has about different theories. He then may choose which theory is in line with his beliefs and values. I like to use this analogy: Assume you are a football player and are preparing to play in the National Championship. Would you not have an advantage if you had possession of the opposing team's play book?
One is in a much better position to defend his theory, if one has knowledge of other theories.