If "creationism"were taught in science class, what would be taught? Syllabus content?

[ThouShaltNotPoe]

In the U.S. a lot of Christians say they want an alternative to the theory of evolution taught in the science classroom. But I never hear specifics as to what that would mean.

What are the SCIENTIFIC THEORIES of creationism which would be taught?

Do they TRULY mean "teach creationism" or does they just mean "Tell them God created everything & explain what is wrong with evolution"?

But do they want non-Christian teachers telling creationist students what is wrong with THEIR theories? Teaching "weaknesses" of theories would have to go both ways.

And what DISCOVERIES has creationism brought to science that could be discussed? [No, the fact that famous scientists believed in creation doesn't make all science "creation science."]

I'm just confused as to what creationism would teach in science class.

 

[The Engineer]

I'm just confused as to what creationism would teach in science class.

A mangled version of evolution theory and how it is wrong.

Creationists were never that good at presenting their own 'theory'. It's always about showing you why evolution theory is dumb, never why Intelligence Design is true.

Ask them about their theory, without even addressing evolution theory, and they will go insane. We had a thread here about kinds and which animals belong to which kind. No mention of evolution in the OP, just a question for the creationists which they should have been able to answer easily, considering they originally invented taxonomy to find out which animal belongs to which kind. Guess what they did next? Attack evolution theory, and tell us what bad persons we are for asking them a simple question.

 

[BazAussiekid1173]

What are the SCIENTIFIC THEORIES of creationism which would be taught?

I'm just confused as to what creationism would teach in science class.

>implying that creationism/ID is science.

 

[troodon]

I'd imagine it would just be presenting the idea (God created the earth in 6 days, genealogies tell us it was this long ago) and then throwing out some alleged falsifications of evolution and an old earth.

If it were up to me it would be something along the lines of:

1) Basics of the concept
2) Testable components
3) History of falsification of YEC
4) History of evolutionary theory

It would really work well as an intro to evolution in a biology class, imo. Of course you'd have to go into a wee bit of geology in step 3 but kids don't get enough geo in high school anyways!

 

[AV1611VET]

If "creationism"were taught in science class, what would be taught? Syllabus content?

Creationism does not belong in science class, it belongs in history class; but to answer your question as you wrote it, I offer the following guidelines:

1. Teach the difference between creatio ex materia and creatio ex nihilo. At the end of the course, the student should be able to relate which came ex materia and which came ex nihilo.

2. Teach the order of the creation events. At the end of the course, the student should be able to put a jumbled list of objects in Genesis 1 in chronological order.

3. Teach the Law of Conservation of Mass & Energy. At the end of the course, the student should be able to demonstrate how the level of mass/energy in the universe started out at zero, then was raised to its current level over a period of six days. He should also be able to demonstrate when it was locked in place, and explain why it hasn't been violated since then and never will be.

4. Teach Genesis 1 geography. At the end of the course, the student should be able to draw an outline of Eden (Pangaea), and include the seven continents within Eden's borders. (Show which country the Garden of Eden was in for extra credit.)

5. Teach the difference between ELOHIM and JEHOVAH. At the end of the course, the student should know at least seven major compound names of God, and their meanings and applications in Scripture.

6. Teach stellar soteriology. At the end of the course, the student should be able to list the twelve signs of the Mazzaroth (Zodiac) in order of appearance and include at least one of their decans, link each one of them to the Gospel message, and name at least one major star in each one and explain the significance of its name.

7. Teach embedded age. At the end of the course, the student should know the difference between physical age and existential age, and be able to give the proper definition of Embedded Age Creation and contrast it with Last Thursdayism and Young Earth Creationism.

8. Teach the difference between miracles and magic.

 

[Mr Strawberry]

Creationism does not belong in science class, it belongs in history class.

No it doesn't, it belongs in religious education class and nowhere else.

 

[AV1611VET]

No it doesn't, it belongs in religious education class and nowhere else.

How does this answer the OP?

 

[BazAussiekid1173]

How does this answer the OP?

He wasn't answering OP, he was addressing your assertion

 

[AV1611VET]

He wasn't answering OP, he was addressing your assertion

He's certainly entitled to his opinion, isn't he?

 

[BazAussiekid1173]

I can't imagine that creationism would ever be taught as a scientific theory.
I mean, a scientific theory has a hypothesis built on observations which is then supported by experimental/investigative data, correct (as per the usual inductive scientific protocols)?

So really, for it to be taught in a science classroom, it has to have a hypothesis(not much of one anyway, since creationism begins with a presupposition/conclusion) that is supported by intrinsic proof of the hypothesis that the theory presents.
Well, what proof?

 

[AV1611VET]

I can't imagine that creationism would ever be taught as a scientific theory.

Nor I.

 

[BazAussiekid1173]

Creationism does not belong in science class, it belongs in history class; but to answer your question as you wrote it, I offer the following guidelines:

1. Teach the difference between creatio ex materia and creatio ex nihilo. At the end of the course, the student should be able to relate which came ex materia and which came ex nihilo.

2. Teach the order of the creation events. At the end of the course, the student should be able to put a jumbled list of objects in Genesis 1 in chronological order.

3. Teach the Law of Conservation of Mass & Energy. At the end of the course, the student should be able to demonstrate how the level of mass/energy in the universe started out at zero, then was raised to its current level over a period of six days. He should also be able to demonstrate when it was locked in place, and explain why it hasn't been violated since then and never will be.

4. Teach Genesis 1 geography. At the end of the course, the student should be able to draw an outline of Eden (Pangaea), and include the seven continents within Eden's borders. (Show which country the Garden of Eden was in for extra credit.)

5. Teach the difference between ELOHIM and JEHOVAH. At the end of the course, the student should know at least seven major compound names of God, and their meanings and applications in Scripture.

6. Teach stellar soteriology. At the end of the course, the student should be able to list the twelve signs of the Mazzaroth (Zodiac) in order of appearance and include at least one of their decans, link each one of them to the Gospel message, and name at least one major star in each one and explain the significance of its name.

7. Teach embedded age. At the end of the course, the student should know the difference between physical age and existential age, and be able to give the proper definition of Embedded Age Creation and contrast it with Last Thursdayism and Young Earth Creationism.

8. Teach the difference between miracles and magic.

Wait, so you want to teach scientific principles...but in a history class?

So according to your logic, geology belongs in the same vein as history because they deal with "history of the Earth"?

 

[AV1611VET]

Wait, so you want to teach scientific principles...but in a history class?

Did I say that? or are you just trying to pull my leg?

I don't believe creationism should be taught in science class -- but to respect the OP, I offered my version of how creationism should be taught in science class, if creationism were to be taught in science class.

 

[BazAussiekid1173]

Did I say that?

...Yeah, I think you said it mate, or I wouldn't be commenting on that.

 

[Split Rock]

Creationism does not belong in science class, it belongs in history class; but to answer your question as you wrote it, I offer the following guidelines:

1. Teach the difference between creatio ex materia and creatio ex nihilo. At the end of the course, the student should be able to relate which came ex materia and which came ex nihilo.

2. Teach the order of the creation events. At the end of the course, the student should be able to put a jumbled list of objects in Genesis 1 in chronological order.

3. Teach the Law of Conservation of Mass & Energy. At the end of the course, the student should be able to demonstrate how the level of mass/energy in the universe started out at zero, then was raised to its current level over a period of six days. He should also be able to demonstrate when it was locked in place, and explain why it hasn't been violated since then and never will be.

4. Teach Genesis 1 geography. At the end of the course, the student should be able to draw an outline of Eden (Pangaea), and include the seven continents within Eden's borders. (Show which country the Garden of Eden was in for extra credit.)

5. Teach the difference between ELOHIM and JEHOVAH. At the end of the course, the student should know at least seven major compound names of God, and their meanings and applications in Scripture.

6. Teach stellar soteriology. At the end of the course, the student should be able to list the twelve signs of the Mazzaroth (Zodiac) in order of appearance and include at least one of their decans, link each one of them to the Gospel message, and name at least one major star in each one and explain the significance of its name.

7. Teach embedded age. At the end of the course, the student should know the difference between physical age and existential age, and be able to give the proper definition of Embedded Age Creation and contrast it with Last Thursdayism and Young Earth Creationism.

8. Teach the difference between miracles and magic.

I agree with you that it shouldn't be taught in science classes. You have demonstrated why it shouldn't, quite well in your post.

 

[Eight Foot Manchild]

FINAL EXAM: Stay inside the lines in your Flintstones coloring book, and don't eat the crayons.

 

[Eight Foot Manchild]

8. Teach the difference between miracles and magic.

The difference:

When a wizard or a leprechaun walks on water, it's called magic.

When a god does it, it's called a miracle.

 

[AV1611VET]

I agree with you that it shouldn't be taught in science classes. You have demonstrated why it shouldn't, quite well in your post.

-- Thank you!

 

[ThouShaltNotPoe]

Creationism does not belong in science class, it belongs in history class; but to answer your question as you wrote it, I offer the following guidelines: ......
........

So. I assume you are making at least three points:

1) The principles of Creation Science have limited direct connection to what the Bible says. Creation science is more about various conclusions which creation-believing Christians have thought up. (?)

2) Creation science is not science at all. It is not empirical.

3) You are saying that you wouldn't teach that creation science is based on any particular methodology. And certainly not the scientific method.

I'm not trying to put words in your mouth. I simply want to understand your description of it. (And I recognize that your description of it does not necessarily indicate that you personally hold to it.)

But I wasn't clear on your reason for placing it in a history class. Is that because the creation science movement was an important political development in 20th century America? Or because creation refers to the early history of the world? Or would you put it in a history class because the doctrine of God as Creator helps explain the history of western civilization in general?

Thank you for any further clarifications.

 

[troodon]

So really, for it to be taught in a science classroom, it has to have a hypothesis(not much of one anyway, since creationism begins with a presupposition/conclusion) that is supported by intrinsic proof of the hypothesis that the theory presents.
Well, what proof?

It makes testable claims. That's all you need to set it up and then knock it down.