Should evolution be taught in schools?

[tryptophan]

I'm sure that some of you know my position on evolution itself. But I'm curious. Why do you think that evolution should/shouldn't be taught in school? If you give an argument, please back it up with facts and references, if possible.

 

[versastyle]

Evolution is a historical science. Evolution in some ways is observable and some ways not. I think they should state the observable as fact, then state the theory as such. The Theory of Evolution does not invoke the supernatural so, yes, it should be taught in school.

 

[PaladinValer]

First, this poll can be preceived in many ways:

1. Are you talking about public schools or private, religious schools?
2. Are you talking about schools in the US or elsewhere? Yes, it does make a difference.

I therefore cannot reply to this poll in any way due to the way it is setup and the question is stated.

 

[tryptophan]

Sorry. Public schools in the U.S.

 

[PaladinValer]

Thank you! Now I can answer it:

Yes. Why?

1. It is a valid science
2. It is considered by practically all scientists in relevant fields to be the best theory we have
3. It has stood up to all the trials and tests and it is still ticking, with an overwhelming amount of evidence and proof backing it up

 

[Vance]

Yes, as long as it is not taught with an atheistic slant.

 

[jbarcher]

They stick spontaneous generation in there, actually...

 

[PaladinValer]

And God cannot be behind that?

In addition, nothing in this universe is truly spontaneous. Everything has at least nothing level of order; and I don't mean anything religious.

Scientists and logicians know that the universe is run by some order. It is because we do not fully understand it than we think some things are spontaneous. And I'm talking about actual forces of nature, not God.

 

[Eluzai]

I'm all for both creation and evolution being taught and allowing people to make up their own minds

 

[Bushido216]

But you cannot, in good faith, teach Creationism as a theory because it would be either "Goddidits" or falsified science. That's intellectually dishonest.

 

[Vance]

The problem with teaching Creationism, which is based on religious belief, is that you would have to teach EVERY religiously based creation concept, giving each one equal time. You would have to teach the Hindu creation teachings, those of the various Native American Indians, etc, etc.

The Intelligent Design movement is an attempt to get around this by taking God out of it by name, and just talking about the evidence for an intelligent designer. The problem for Creationists is that while most of the ID proponents are Christian, they almost all accept an earth billions of years old and species that have developed over all this time.

 

[billwald]

Half the children who graduate from high school can't read, write proper English, or do arithmatic. They don't know basic history and havn't been taught to think clearly. It is silly to "teach" them evolution when they can't use the information.

 

[Vance]

Half the children who graduate from high school can't read, write proper English, or do arithmatic. They don't know basic history and havn't been taught to think clearly. It is silly to "teach" them evolution when they can't use the information.

Well, if you are going to teach something, it should be evolution. Just because they may not learn it does not mean that you should not teach it. It is the cornerstone of much of biology, chemistry, genetics and many other useful sciences, which use the principles underlying evolution every day.

 

[Kripost]

Well, I don't see that it would be helpful at all to delay teaching of evolution until university level. So I would say evolutio should be taught in schools.

By the way, is Creationism a uniquely an American phenomena?

 

[herev]

By the way, is Creationism a uniquely an American phenomena?

mostly, yup

 

[TwinCrier]

Lets say we don't mention the bible at all. Just explain the facts, present the scientific evidence for a sudden appearance of the universe. Present the evidence for a world wide flood and a young earth. If it happens to corespond with the account in the bible, so be it. If the students want to read the bible's account of creation no one is stopping them. This isn't just a religious belief. When we present it as a religious belief, it can easily be dismissed by those who want to oppress religion in the public arena.

http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=10450162#post10450162

 

[TwinCrier]

By the way, is Creationism a uniquely an American phenomena?

No. Most people in America believe evolution, including Christians. In the Middle East and South America the belief in a creator is more prevelant.

 

[Kripost]

Perhaps my wording was too imprecise. What I meant by 'Creationism' is 'Young Earth Creationism'.

 

[tryptophan]

Half the children who graduate from high school can't read, write proper English, or do arithmatic. They don't know basic history and havn't been taught to think clearly. It is silly to "teach" them evolution when they can't use the information.

Well, if they are taking a biology class in high school, they might as well learn evolution. Just because students don't know those subjects doesn't mean that evolution isn't useful in a scientific context.

 

[Bulldog]

No. Most people in America believe evolution, including Christians. In the Middle East and South America the belief in a creator is more prevelant.

You make them sound incompatable. I know for a fact that there are a good number of Jews and Muslims that believe evolution. I cannot speak for South America, but I do know that South America is largely Catholic and it is a fact that mth Catholic Bishops in the world believe evolution.

~God Bless