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Should Evolution Be Taught In Public Schools Essay

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Should public schools allow teachers to teach “the theory of” evolution? That was the debate sixty years ago; today’s debate is should alternative’s theories to evolution be taught in public schools, particularly the human species? Parents, teachers, principals, and school boards alike that come from religious sectors say that they want alternative theories to evolution, such as the alternative theory of Intelligent Design. “Intelligent design (ID) is the idea that life is so complex it could only have been created by an intelligent being” (Clemmitt, 2005, p. 637). To address the issue, one needs to know both intelligent design and evolution. Evolution is the theory that all species derived from one shared ancestor. For instance, the “theory” that the human species evolved from apes. Knowing both theories, should public schools solely teach evolution or add additional creation theories? …show more content…

They do not see evolution as fact though it is accepted as fact by most of the scientific community. They say that there are holes in evolution because it doesn’t explain all aspects of the origin of human life. Evolution doesn’t give the children any chance to make their own decision on what they want to believe in (Clemmitt, 2005, p. 637). Supporters argue that everything you watch or read always goes back to evolution. It is pushing evolution on society (“Intelligent Design vs Evolution,” n.d.). Evolution is the “concrete of biology” (Clemmitt, 2005, p. 339). “Our strategy has been to change the subject a bit so that we can get intelligent design, which really means the reality of God before the academic world and into the schools” (Clemmitt, 2005, p.

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The Scopes “Monkey Trial” changed the way science and evolution are taught in America’s school systems today. The trial came about when John Scopes, an algebra and science teacher, taught evolution as a plausible theory while filling in for a biology teacher at Rhea County Central High School in Dayton, Tennessee. The action went against Tennessee’s “Butler Act,” which prohibited teachers in public schools to “teach any theory that denies the story of the Divine Creation of man as taught in the Bible, and to teach instead that man descended from a lower order of animals.” Scopes, along with others in the community, wanted to change the law so that students could be taught Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, and the matter was taken to court. The

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Today it is “recognized as a leading work in natural philosophy and in the history of mankind” (Landry). Today it seems as if there is a price to pay when talking about this topic in public, especially in school classrooms, as many teachers and parents argue that the Bible’s literal interpretation of human development is supreme. Challenges facing the theory were found relevant in 23 states as well as seven foreign countries. In 2004 a challenge was brought up by the Kansas State Board of Education. Is evolution a matter of a theory or is it the subject of “true scientific controversy” (Tamblyn)?

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However, evolution is very important and should be taught in Biology classes because students need to understand how Homo sapiens evolve if they don’t believe in the biblical story. Everyone may not be Christian, so it’s important for students to get an idea or perspective of where we may have possibly come from. Whether it’s from the eyes of God or from monkeys it at least gives people a chance to choose what they believe, but as well as understand what they

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However, all bias aside, we can see that there is more understanding of science and the scientific method than first thought. All things considered, the author recognizes that evolution is a theory, acknowledges the research science has done, as well as some of the observations arising from those findings, and encourages the student ask questions while keeping an open mind. They even seem to have a kind-of, sort-of grasp on micro and macroevolution. Now, we must ask why anyone with a basic understanding of these things would desire such a disclaimer and if there are warnings on any other education

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My position stands with the parents, only because I believe religion and science are held on the same account. Overall, I believe there is a higher power and it creates everything including science, and it allows science to explain the works of genetics, evolution, etc. Although, my belief is my own I understand the concerned parents’ worries, as well as the Board of Education. It is important that the parents realize it is crucial this is taught, and it is essential to their curriculum and that the Board of Education realize that this course is basically manipulating the belief system of these religious beings. In reconciliation, the course will benefit understanding of science, but it will also give the kids their own chance to decipher their outlook on religion and science.

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The education system of this nation is biased. Evolution has been taught as Scientific fact for many years and creationism has been treated as just a religious belief and not worthy to be taught. Even though evolutionism is also a belief that has yet to be proven, it is taught as fact in every science class in America. The Supreme court has deemed that requiring educators to teach evolution and also teach creationism unconstitutional, but declaring that was merely a violation of equality and freedom of religion. (Epperson v. Arkansas) Creationism can’t be taught as a response to the theory of evolution, nor does creationism meet the faith of scientists.

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Do you think K-12 schools (public and private) should be required to teach evolution? Why or why not? When I hear the word “evolution” I think about evolutionary theory, Darwin’s theory of evolution and the big bang theory since they’ve used scientific research and methods to cause a paradigm shift within all fields of science by answering long-held questions about how a variety of species used evolution to survive in different climates. I believe that evolution should be required to be taught in public and private schools because it will allow students to question natural phenomena that occur in nature and therefore they will begin to form their own hypotheses and conclusions in their personal lives. Teaching children evolution in K-12 schools

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For instance, when I was taught about the different religions in middle school, it was done is a very matter-of-fact way. All that was discussed were the facts, such as that religion's beliefs, its origin, its holy book, etc. The teacher's personal beliefs (if there were any) were not discussed. I believe that evolution should be taught in the same way. Give students the facts and the scientific evidence behind it, and then leave it at that.

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In the United States there has been a debate over whether or not the theory of evolution should be taught in public school science classes. The reason why there is so much debate around this topic is that Evolution is not a proven fact, it is only a theory. A theory is “a supposition or a system of ideas intended to explain something”(dictionary.com). A “supposition” is not scientific enough to say for certain that something is true; it is merely a hunch. While The theory of evolution is only a hunch it does have a wealth of evidence in its favor, for example, how all the genus homo animals became more and more like humans and less like apps as time passed.

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The theory of evolution is significant to learn about for anyone who wants a better understanding of the natural world. Darwin’s theorized that organisms changed over time through natural selection. These changes could be physical or behavioral traits that help them to better survive in their environment and reproduce (Than, 2015). However, many see the theory of evolution as a controversial topic intruding on their religious beliefs. Natural selection says that given enough time more than just small changes to an organism can occur.

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To answer this question, we turn to government. Murray, Jensen, and Hatch (2003), identified twenty questions, what the courts have said about the teaching of evolution and creationism in public schools. Below is a breakdown of the findings from the article. Can the teaching of evolution not discourage learners from accepting the theological form of creation?

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This will help them make well-versed decisions which has become vital for innovation and competitiveness in our 21st century workplace. Many argue that American students must be able to differentiate between true science and a theory based on faith. However other groups and individuals have dispise the theory of evolution because it conflicts their religious

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The students should actually know the right kind of information of how the world has become to be today and how did they become the person they are now; they should be taught by the information that has valid reasoning and evidence not by make up information that is based on belief. By learning the concept of evolution I have a strong feeling that the students will use the concepts to help them solve biological problems that they might have to face in the future. For example, students who would want to protect themselves from any sort of diseases, like the hereditary diseases, the students should first have full knowledge on the evolutionary histories of the disease-causing gene. It assures me that if evolution were taken away from learning, students would not get the knowledge that they need to know on how the world were created and that it will be difficult for them to handle issues that they might face in the future, relating to life, humans, or animals. My opinion of supporting evolution will not change, and that I believe that evolution should be taught in school so that our future will be

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But it can be handled more effectively than it has in the past. It is suggested here that both options—creationism and evolution—can be accommodated in the public schools of America, although with restrictions that may not completely satisfy proponents of either viewpoint (Davis, 1999 p.670).” After, observing the arguments for teaching creationism and intelligent design in public schools with evolution, as well as against teaching both in the same setting, the perspective of this paper will present its argument in favor of teaching about creationism and intelligent design with evolution in the public school as well as suggestions for how to approach it. As for the integration of faith and learning, and in light of the first amendment, and for informing citizens, it is best to consider teaching about both creationism and evolution in public schools. “By exposing students to different perspectives, students are better able to choose for themselves what to believe and thus better able to exercise their personal autonomy (Warnick, 2009, p. 305).”

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Scientists across various fields of studies with excellent academic achievements voice their unwavering belief in the theory of creation, and they depict multiple experiments and studies to solidify the validity of creationism. Evolution versus creationism is a battle that began long before today’s modern trials and protests, yet the same basic principles still exist. Creationism is as scientific as evolution, and evolution is as faith-based as

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