creationism v evolution in the classroom

[imabrat]

Okay...But why should I have to sit through a lesson about something I don't believe?

Either teach both views or neither in schools.

I agree with your last comment. As for the first? To be a well-rounded, well educated person. That's what schools are encouraging these days. Sometimes you need to learn about things you don't care for. You can't be ignorant to everything you don't like in life.
I'm talking about at least knowing basic facts of evolution, even if you don't believe in it. But not participating in a class because you don't believe it and don't want to hear of it is ignorant.

 

[seaturtledude]

the reason they shouldn't teach both is the following: creationism is associated with a religion, evolutionism is not, and religion should not be forced upon people who dont wish to accept it.

 

[Disney.Ears]

I agree with your last comment. As for the first? To be a well-rounded, well educated person. That's what schools are encouraging these days. Sometimes you need to learn about things you don't care for. You can't be ignorant to everything you don't like in life.
I'm talking about at least knowing basic facts of evolution, even if you don't believe in it. But not participating in a class because you don't believe it and don't want to hear of it is ignorant.

I see your point.
I personally could care less about evolution. I don't want to learn about something I don't believe in.
Same goes for people who aren't religious. I'm sure they wouldn't want to learn about religious things or religions that they don't believe in either.
But that's just me..

the reason they shouldn't teach both is the following: creationism is associated with a religion, evolutionism is not, and religion should not be forced upon people who dont wish to accept it.

But there are 2 things people believe. Creationism and evolution. You can't teach one and not the other because different people believe different things.

 

[seaturtledude]

teaching creationism in a science class would be like teaching evolution in a religion class.

 

[Captain Brain]

teaching creationism in a science class would be like teaching evolution in a religion class.

As you've been told time and time again, both creationism and evolution are theories. Ergo, they are both science.

 

[seaturtledude]

As you've been told time and time again, both creationism and evolution are theories. Ergo, they are both science.

alright. sorry, i can be a bit stubborn at times. i hope it's all cool

 

[Disney.Ears]

As you've been told time and time again, both creationism and evolution are theories. Ergo, they are both science.

Exactly.

teaching creationism in a science class would be like teaching evolution in a religion class.

But they're both theories that are believed by different people. Therefore both or neither should be taught.

 

[marypops!]

teaching creationism in a science class would be like teaching evolution in a religion class.

But... I learnt about Evolution in Religion...

 

[PowerMonkey]

lol, ok... i tihnk i need to requote myself... creationism isnt a theory

.. as long as the subject is taught objectively and unbiasedly, i dont see the harm...

evolution should be taught in a biology class, because it is indeed a science.. it is backed by fossilized proof.. people may argue that it is a theory... yes. it is indeed a theory.. but in science, the word theory is very strong.. a theory is backed by hard facts and is reviewed by numerous people before it can be released as a theory... for example... gravity is still a theory... there are facts that prove it exists.. but theres nothing that completely says gravity exists, because we cant physically see it


creationism is not a theory, however.. its a belief.. it explains things using the bible as a reference point, and not logistical hard facts... it relies more on the supernatural, which is the furthest thing from science.. therefore, it should be taught in a religious studies or philosophy class, and not a science class

either way though, i think its important that these subjects are taught objectively... present their ideas and points to the students.. as long as they arent forced to believe it, i dont see the harm in teaching it.. its always better to clearly know both sides of the fence, before choosing a belief anyway

but dont get me wrong.. just because creationism isnt a scientific theory, it doesnt automatically make it wrong ... it can still exist.. its just not a science though

 

[seaturtledude]

But... I learnt about Evolution in Religion...

i wish my school did that. sorry about that.

 

[marypops!]

np. We learnt both sides of it. I still think I have the book downstairs. I'll find it tomorrow, see what I learnt.

We also learnt about the Big Bang as well.

 

[seaturtledude]

this thread seems like a very intelligent debate! just a quick question for everyone...if i started a "debate team thread" would anyone participate?

 

[marypops!]

I would think people would join, since some of us like to debate on different things, but then, some of the debates turn ugly and have to be closed.

 

[imabrat]

I see your point.
I personally could care less about evolution. I don't want to learn about something I don't believe in.
Same goes for people who aren't religious. I'm sure they wouldn't want to learn about religious things or religions that they don't believe in either.
But that's just me..

I see your point, but we can't be ignorant to everything we don't agree with. If I'm going to be a respected, well educated woman, I have to accept everything whether I like it or not.
I don't like Algebra, should I choose to walk out of the classroom and pretend there's no such thing simply because I don't fancy it?

 

[seaturtledude]

do you suggest i start the debate thread? provided everyone follows the DIS rules, there is no profanity, no insults, just intelligent debating?

 

[softball chick]

A debate thread would be interesting as long as everyone follows the rules.


And on the subject at hand, I believe teaching about creation in a public school classroom is completely contradicting the "separation of church and state" idea. Because it is a somewhat Christian idea, it could cause controversy with the families that have different beliefs.

 

[Disney.Ears]

Debates can be sticky..so as long as the participates follow the rules and don't get out of hand, there shouldn't be a problem.

I see your point, but we can't be ignorant to everything we don't agree with. If I'm going to be a respected, well educated woman, I have to accept everything whether I like it or not.
I don't like Algebra, should I choose to walk out of the classroom and pretend there's no such thing simply because I don't fancy it?

Ah, very true! Hmm...
I think when it comes to beliefs, then it's different. You know what I mean?
Like algebra is real...it's proven. When it comes to how the Earth and the people on it came to be, well, everyone believes different things.

 

[AbsoluteAwesome1]

I don't think that creationism should be taught in school.
I was always taught evolutionism in grade school, and it makes perfect sense to me.
People are still evolving, if you think about it -- we're a lot taller than we were a few hundred years ago.

 

[Axel]

I wish we could do that.
I hate sitting through a class listening to something I don't even believe in. It's pointless to me.

My biology teacher gave us that option when we began studying Darwin. She told us that if it bothered us enough that we needed to leave, we could go sit in the hallway and read. We would have to be responsible for his theories for tests, of course, but we didn't have to sit through the class and learn the details. I'm a believer of evolution, though, so I had no problem with it and it was AP Biology so everybody in the class was the type of person who can learn about a theory they don't believe in without having to protest.

We learn about all ancient religions in World History and Cultures (we start with Egyptian, then Norse, Greek, Roman, Cristianity, Judaism, Muslim, then Buddhism, Taoism, Confucism and so on) to better understand a culture/region. The only ones we didn't really touch on were South American/Native American beliefs, but we covered those more closely in American History (I took AP) so that we could better understand the conflicts between Natives and eastern explorers.

 

[Axel]

A debate thread would be interesting as long as everyone follows the rules.


And on the subject at hand, I believe teaching about creation in a public school classroom is completely contradicting the "separation of church and state" idea. Because it is a somewhat Christian idea, it could cause controversy with the families that have different beliefs.

Sorry, pet peeve, but "Separation of Church and State" has nothing to do with this. It refers only to the fact that the government can't tax churches on donations made by patrons, or even tax churches at all (which I don't agree with...).