-248 If schools are forced to teach Creationism as well as Evolution, then churches should be forced to teach Evolution as well as Creationism. Amirite?

by Anonymous 14 years ago

I don't care that schools teach evolution. I care that they teach it as fact when it isn't. Christian schools should teach the facts about evolution though. Because some people have no idea what they are talking about when they defend creationism.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Evolution is a fact, sorry to burst your bubble. You can't teach science without teaching evolution. It's like teaching medicine without teaching germ theory.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

yes evolution is fact. The theory of evolution is...oh what's the word... Oh yeah, a theory.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Yes. Evolution is a theory, just like gravity. Evolution is also a fact. I can see where your confusion comes from. Here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution_as_theory_and_fact is a very enlightening article I recommend you read.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

I'm not confused. I know it is both fact and theory. I don't agree with the theory part.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Schools purposes are to teach. Churches purpose is to teach about their religion. Unless their religion includes the theory of evolution, that would be outside of their purpose. Both are not proven as fact yet so schools should not teach evolution as fact. Likewise, creation should not be part of a science class, as it is not science. It'd be a great part of a religion class though.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

A lot of schools aren't allowed to teach about creationism but have to teach about evolution, which I think is stupid.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

that's called separation of church and state.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Evolution and Intelligent Design both need to be given a place in the classroom. Intelligent Design is not religion, it's a science. Watch "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed"

by Anonymous 14 years ago

... Ummm, isn't it against the law for public schools (in the U.S) to teach Creationism (Edwards v. Aguillard) and Intelligent Design (Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District) because it violates the First Amendment rights to freedom from religion?

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Yes. Which is what I disagree with. Actually, it depends on how you define "Creationism." I do not think young-earth creationism should be taught in schools, but I do think that Intelligent Design should be offered as a theory.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

You sound like somebody who has actually bothered to do independent research without relying on everything you've been told. I like that, it's quite refreshing in a discussion on evolution and Intelligent Design. Granted, everything we "learn" is basically told to us by somebody, but that's why I make such an effort to validate my sources. Anyways, it's nice to see somebody with a coherent arguement :)

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Haha. Thank you:) You're living up to your bio :p

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Lol, thanks. I'm voted down, :) obviously somebody doesn't agree with us ;)

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Haha. You're not anymore :p

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Isn't Intelligent Design the same thing as Creationism, though? I thought that was proven in the court case mentioned above.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Yeah, I think the government considers them one and the same. But I don't think that should be the case. Intelligent Design lines up with science, it just points out the improbability of unguided life on Earth.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Thing is, evolution is backed up by loads of data. While I believe it to be fact and am glad schools teach it, I don't think churchs should have to teach evolution. It's what they believe and no one if forced to go. With public schools, however, kids don't have a choice. School is a function of the government and should therefore stay far from religion.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

What if evolution is contrary to their religion? That's technically interference with religion.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

It's not interfering with anything. If parents have a problem with it, they can send their kids to a private school.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

No. A large portion of the country is too poor to afford private school comfortably. Public schools need to be good or we are doing ourselves a disservice.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Homeschooling, then. Evolution has evidence behind it, unlike Creationism. Freedom from religion and freedom of religion are protected by the First Amendment, and therefore religious theories have no place in a government institution.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Very little evidence, unless you mean microevolution, which is hardly the disputed point.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Very little evidence? Seriously? I'd hardly call the massive warehouses full of fossils and a few hundred years of data and observation very little evidence.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

That's less proof of evolution and more proof of other species existing plus a bit of guesswork. Let's face it, science IS partly guesswork.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Guesswork in science? The only conclusion I can make of that is trial and error. Science is based on evidence and facts and what is definite. Creationism is spirituality and FAITH, which I respect. I say we stick to what's DEFINITE in the textbooks.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Not every single bit of science is cold, hard truth.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

No, but then again, is anything? It's a common ground that the public can agree on, as opposed to religion and spirituality.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

What I'm saying (I think, that comment was made awhile ago) is that people should stop treating science like the absolute truth, because while some of it may be, some of it may not be.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Because a school is the same as a Church? This comparison makes no sense at all. Public schools usually do not teach about Creationism and private schools do because typically they are Catholic.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Private schools are typically Catholic? What? There are all sorts of private schools and I'll bet most of them are secular.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Private_school Yes, some are secular. Most of them? No. A private school does not have to follow the rules the government lays out for education, therefore they do not have the right to teach Creationism if they wish. It is not forcing the religion on anyone else, if you don't want to be taught Creationism, don't go to that school

by Anonymous 14 years ago

People of every religion go to school, as children and teenagers are required to attend until grade 12 (the age/grade differs depending on what country you live in) People are not required go to a place of worship. They go specifically for the purpose of worship. Schools should teach both theories, but not as scientific fact as people's beliefs obviously differ.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Both theories? There are billions and billions of theories about how life began. They need to teach the theory that fits the overwhelming amount of evidence.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Separation of Church and State...

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Amen

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Private schools do not have to follow the norms of government policies on education, that is why they are private. If you don't understand that, don't try to argue against them.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

I understand that perfectly. But the post did not specify whether or not this school was private or public.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

My school does not teach creationism. And even if it did, why the hell would a church have to teach evolution?

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Yes, because that makes soo much sense.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

We are in huge trouble if the government has the authority to dictate what a church teaches.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

we're also in trouble if churches determine what a school teaches.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

That's the point - if the church is allowed to interfere with the government, then the government is allowed to interfere with the church. If religion can hijack education, then education can hijack religion. Or, alternatively, keep church and state separate.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

This is ridiculous. Schools are a government-run system, while churches are not. If you want a government telling you what churches have to teach, then you basically have a government established religion, which violates the Constitution.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Private schools DO NOT have to follow government rules on education, for pete's sake. That is why they are private!

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Well I didn't say anything about private schools now, did I? All I'm saying is it's a bad day for America when you have the government telling churches what they must teach or cannot teach.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Well, no. Schools should not teach creationism (separation of church and state). But churches can do whatever they want because they aren't controlled by the government.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Wow, just wow. This makes no sense at all. The purpose of learning in church is to learn about what your religion BELIEVES in. If my church suddenly started teaching Evolution, it would contradict everything I've been taught in there.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

If everyone was forced to go to Church, then maybe. But only people interested in the topic go to Church, if you change that, then they won't wanna go.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

i'm reading from the bottom up and this is the first sensible comment i've read.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Ha, I thought I was the only one. Since the top is usually one huge argument, I usually start from the bottom too, so I can get differing opinions! Is that your reasoning as well?

by Anonymous 14 years ago

All of science is a theory, not just evolution. Except for a few scientific facts and laws,most of what schools teach is unproven, just supported by experiments. So when people say 'we shouldn't teach evolution because it's just a theory' your saying that we shouldn't even have science as a school subject.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Sense...non is made.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

I've gone to Catholic school my whole life...and I've been taught evolution not only in science but in theology as well. My class was taught creationism as what it most basically is: a symbolic attempt for a society to understand how they came to be. My teacher (a holier-than-thou guy if I've ever seen one) says that the creation story is not fact. There are many other things wrong with my theology class, but I have no issue with our creationism/evolution.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

I voted YYA not becuase I literally think this, but because it points out how ridiculous the idea is when you imagine the reverse.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

that's. the. dumbest thing i've heard all day. lmfao.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

I've read many, many books and articles by people with more Ph.D's then seems reasonable and I've studied evolution as well. I'm more than content with my religion and subsequent beliefs and I very much dislike evolution. However, when I say that, I am not referring to "micro" evolution, because that does happen. I have my reasons (based upon scientific fact) for not believing in the Big Bang or a carrot eventually evolving to an animal. More to the point, though, this parallel makes absolutely no sense. I'll refrain from reiterating the points made in above comments, but if I'm more than content to let you make your merry way to Hell, then please do me the honor of leaving my religion the hell alone. Cheers :)

by Anonymous 14 years ago

What OP is saying is just stupid. I go to a Catholic school and in science class we do actually learn evolution. In religion class, though, one minute my teacher says God made everything the way the Bible says and the next she talks about how God "guided" evolution. Basically, they let us make the choice on what we each personally believe while telling us what the Catholic church endorses.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

At schools the evolution they are supposed to teach is that "populations change over time due to natural selection" or something like that. What that has to do with creationism, I don't really know.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Churches aren't public and they aren't a part of the "state" aka government, so they are free to teach what they want. And I learn about religions in my Social Studies classes not science.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

The point of a church is for religion. My personal view is that religion should not be taught in schools, unless it is a catholic school, for example, as there may be persons of different religions at the school. I believe teaching religion is borderline preaching. I do not wish to be accused of being racist, as I, myself, am religious, however I believe science belongs in schools, faith belongs in churches.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

I for the most part agree with what you say. I do believe that there should be perhaps a world religions course or something similar in public schools, but as an elective, not a requirement. I think it's beneficial to understand a faith before making a rash judgement about it (ie all Catholics are against gays, Muslims are all terrorists, etc.)

by Anonymous 14 years ago

There are comparative religion classes at many public schools. I took a comparative religion class at my public school and I really loved it.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

And that's what I feel should be taught at public schools! And maybe they could offer some single-religion classes, but for more than one religion. If they could put in, let's say, a class for Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, along with something like what you took, what would be the problem with religion in public schools?

by Anonymous 14 years ago

I think there is a difference between teaching people about religion and teaching a particular religion. However, I don't really see much of a difference between a region class and a philosophy class. There sort of the same concept.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

There is a difference, I agree, but learning both about religion and more in-depth on a particular religion isn't wrong. I mean, I'm Catholic, but given the option I'd definitely take a course on, let's say, Judaism. I'm just saying that if there are a few options available, as well as the available to decline them, there's nothing wrong with religious classes in public schools. School prepares us for the world, right? There's religion in the world, whether you believe it or not, so you should be able to learn it should you choose.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

School is for facts and theories while church is about faith. The only reason a school should teach creationism is in history when they talk about the history of religion. That's teaching not preaching. Everyone deserves the right to have the knowledge, make choices, and be respected.

by Anonymous 14 years ago

Most of the comments on here are pointless. the church does not bash evolution Post Vatican II and believe both ideas can still be true. "The theory of evolution does not invalidate the faith, nor does it corroborate it"-- Pope Benedict XVI, 2008

by Anonymous 14 years ago

1. successful troll is successful 2. separation of church and state 3. i lol at all of you christfags 4. facts...fucking facts...this is why America sucks...too many religionfags

by Anonymous 14 years ago