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Shouldn't teach it at all until they are in upper-high school and college levels.
Neither Evolution nor Creationism is a proven scientific fact, therefore neither should be taught as such but given to the student to study. There is also a few scientists that are beginning to think that we Humans are not indigenous to this planet and that is something to think about too.
I have to agree with Jared on the academic level at which these theories should be introduced to the students.
Religious teachings in the family is just that – familial religion and should not be considered in the academic teachings as that is the personal preference of the family.
Just my not-so-humble opinion.
I personally think that all theories of our being here should be considered and taught- as opinions, theories, etc., not facts. Let the student decide, since that is what the schools are supposed to be for.
This is why the entire idea of public schools is flawed, because now I'm being told that my kids will be taught nonsense. If you want to brainwash your kids that's your business but let parents choose what type of school to send they're ids to. Argh, I just might end up homeschooling. There's no way I'm going to let people push their ideology on any of my offspring because they think they know better than me what and how to teach my kids.
There's nothing to "handle". Evolution is an infinitely provable scientific theory. Theory isn't a derogatory term like religionists like to try and make it. Religion, and all variants of creationism are untestable myth-based belief and have no place in a science classroom or any public school curriculum. There is no debate. If you don't like the exclusion of religions ideology in public schools then take your child out and pay for a private education that is more to your liking. Leave the public schools alone.
Neither should be taught, as evolution has proven to have its own holes. For example, if the big bang occured all the planets would have to be spinning the same way as a when something explods while spinning everything spins the same way. However a numer of planets are spinnig the “wrong way” unfortunately your so called “scientists” have not addressed this.
Please don’t get me wrong, religion shouldn’t be imposed on anyone, therefore as evolution is a religion it should not be taught. Let science class be for science, not some imaginary fairy tale for adults.
uh, evolution and the big bang have nothing to do with each other…
I was talking about the religion of evolution that believes in the big bang
That's not a religion, it's just the prevailing theory because they don't have a better one. Also, unlike religion, the big bang theory is falsifiable. Evolution of species is not a science. The big ban is a theory of the origin of the universe that is openly up to being tested. There are many theories that just don't get widespread coverage, and are even more fantastical than the big bang. It's just that the big bang explains many of the phenomenon we see. Creationism ignores the vastness and realities of the universe and says god created "everything"…
All theories of intelligent intentional design are religious and have no place in public schools. Any theory that is falsifiable should be, so long as it isn't a fringe opinion.
Yeah, I heard one atheist suggest that life was created off the backs of crystals. He didn’t go into detail, but its an example of what you were saying.
I apologize, atheism is a religion.
However this does not negate the fact that the big bang, evolution, and other theories are flawed.
For example, if the world really was billions of years old the moon would be inside the earth at the birth of the universe due to the fact that the moon is slowly moving away the earth.
This isn’t a so called “fringe opinon”, numerous amounts of respectable scientists have shown flaws in the theory. In a survey that the media didn’t want anyone to see more than 50% of scientists are skeptical of evolution.
how can this be taught to students as fact?
atheism is the absence of religion. Religion, by definition requires belief in mystical stories and rituals. atheism is by definition non theism. I am an atheist, does that mean I'm religious? No.
no, it's not because none of what you are saying is even remotely correct. Nothing you are saying is taught anywhere. You are demonstrating a complete lack of understanding of anything to do with the origins of the universe, astrophysics, and religion versus science arguments.
So why should the Moon be inside the Earth??
Actually, I think you're misrepresenting what I believe now.
" Creationism ignores the vastness and realities of the universe and says god created "everything"… "
No. The reason the universe is so vast is because God created it! He is an infinite being, outside the realm of our wildest imaginations. We cannot imagine God, and we don't need to. Faith is something that is unexplainable, and I can't make you believe it anymore than you can make me think we somehow exploded here because of a random fluctuation, or that over a million years, we slowly evolved (the mathematical chances being impossible).
Firstly, the moon was never/would ever have been "inside" the Earth. It is easily proven that the moon was once part of the early formed proto-earth and was a large section "knocked" away during an asteroid hit long before the comprised make up of this planet was solid. This is specifically support by your own argument of the moon moving away from the Earth. The remaining mass of knocked off proto planet formed the Earrth, while the smaller section which became trapped in orbit formed the moon. The moon rotates and revolves at the exact speed of the Earth (which is why we only ever see one side of it), yet another stunning piece of evidence for the moon's origins.
Secondly, when gravity affects tiny object like atoms of hydrogen (the first atoms in existence) they become attracted to each other. This mutual tiny gravity draws the two atoms together into a molecule, as they approach each other from a distance they may miss and in drawing each other in again they may cause a natural spin. Now these two atoms have more gravity between them than the third free floating atom, they draw that guy in, he automatically begins spinning the same direction as the paired atoms… now they're three…. flash forward a few billions years… Venus spins opposite Earth…
Thirdly, yes evolution should be taught in schools. Most of evolution is scientifically proven. No it wasn't exactly like Darwin said it was, but he laid a groundwork which led to verifiable fact. Go visit Lucy in NYC Museum of Natural History. Watch the Discovery channel special "Discovering Ardi". They were there, and I'm sorry to offend you, but we came from them, or a derivative tribe which either were tree climbers or knuckle draggers. The story with the graden is lovely, but so far in Earth's history, naturally speaking, the Lion has never Lain with the Lamb…….
Pt447, you seem to disagree with me, in a debate it may be better to state and explain your reasoning behind why you feel that I “lack understanding”, I believe that this is the best way to conduct a debate. I would be very interested in your arguement, if you put one forth.
LordTiberivs, you seem to be well informed towards what you believe. I however still feel that you are mislead.
A question for you: How does the big bang answer the question of who laid the “cosmic egg”? The first law of thermodynamics proves that matter and energy cannot just appear. Also how do explosions result in increased organization of matter. Has an explosion in the history of the world ever created ordered complexity?
If you don’t know the answers just say so.
Being in this upper high school class myself, I love this debate. I say:
Teach me Evolution… it is not a Religion, it is a scientific theory. I as a student am entitled to get the best education that the state and the country can feasibly provide for me. This includes knowing about every current major theory. While I am a creationist, I do constantly research different things, including topics dealing with both creationism and evolution. This is also a funny debate to me because I am currently working on reading an anthology of Charles Darwin's work at the moment "Darwin: The indelible Stamp"-James D. Watson (One of the discoverers of the human genome) (He writes the preface, and some commentary.)
So basically evolution does not necessarily relate to the big bang, and it is definitely not a Religion. If we have a decent bit of good evidence, let me see the theory. Let me decide what to believe.
OK, I am also an upper high school student and I say teach me complete science that has undeniable proof. Unfortunately evolution does not offer me that, also no evolution is not a religion, however atheism is and it seems that evolution endorses atheism. However their is no proof of creation either, therefore I should not be taught it either. If the student is actually interested themselves they will research it individually. It’s not the schools job to tell children what to believe in controversial issues that are hotly being debated by sciences elite, right now.
No I know the answer, but it took three postings to get it all out, and it's on another debate.
Jared I agree with you for I myself believe in evolution but also see the point of view from people with religious views and believe that at an older age they can better handle themselves when confonted with this convorsation
Science and evolution don't endorse atheism. Science does not endorse any form of religious outlook. Science pays no attention to religion, thats why Christian scientist can work with jewish scientists and hindu scientists. If science leads you to believe an atheistic point of view it is your choice to make those decisions based on your knowledge. Science never clapped a pistol to your head and forced you to be an atheist.
My point? I'm a scientist and a Catholic. I believe in God, and evolution.
Evolution does offer proof. Evolution happened, there is evidence of evolution in man, and beast, and plant. I'm sorry pusty that is undeniable. Plant life alone is proof that evolution exists. Animals changing and growing feathers over millenia has happened, they evolved.
But nowhere, nowhere is there any proof of creationism. Even if evolution isn't definitive to you, there is still proof that it took place. Even if it's not a complete 100% working law, there is still evidence that it happened, even to a small degree.
Where is the evidence of creation?
The point isn't whether you can handle it or not. The point is there is evidence of evolutions existence, there is proof that evolution has changed living things for millions of years. The point is that there is no scientific proof that creation occured by God poofing it out of nothingness. You can't teach creation to children without evidence, you can't teach Santa Claus unless you can prove he exists. Without evidence to back up your lesson, you are teaching the children stories, you are wasting their time.
Since scientists are divided on evolution. They should teach it and creation side by side.
You can't teach something to children without any proof. A teacher cannot stand up in front of a group of 25 HS students saying, "well kids…. legend has it in the bible that god created man out of the earth……"
Also sorry to Liberty. I, unfortunately, do have a logical, knowable reason for Faith. No, I haven't experienced a loss thereof because of it!
Scientifically proven. Oxymoron. Science can't "prove" anything. It must be fallible to be scientific.
I didn't say you couldn't have a logical reason for faith. I merely said that you couldn't explain faith. It is a very difficult concept to put into words, mostly because it is so individual to each person.