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Should Evolution Be Taught In Schools

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The question of whether evolution should or should not be taught in schools is one that has been pondered over for quite some time now, as seen in this week's additional reading "Re-reading Root-Bernstein and McEachron in Cobb County, Georgia." While the article did allow me to see a scientist's view on the question, it did not change my thoughts on the subject.

I believe that evolution should indeed be taught in schools. My reasoning behind this is because I think children and teenagers should be given all of the facts and taught about all of the possible theories, so that they are then able to make their own educated decision as to what they want to believe. It is for this reason that I also support religion being taught in schools, which has also caused quite the controversy. I remember being taught about evolution in both elementary school and high school, as well as being taught about the beliefs associated with Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, and several other religions. Being taught these things did not encourage me to prefer evolution over creationism, nor did it cause me to convert to any of the religions mentioned. …show more content…

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. This way, the students are left to decide what they want to believe without any

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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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In “Inherit the Wind”, there is a school teacher, named Bert Cates, waiting to go to trial for a crime he committed. Cates decided to teach about evolution, a topic that was banned in school. Everyone but Cates thought it was wrong, so the question is, should he have taught evolution? I believe he made a bad choice to teach it. The most important reason is that it is illegal to teach it and he should have known that.

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In 1925, the Tennessee legislature passed the Butler Act which banned the teaching of the evolution of mankind in public schools. John T Scope, a football coach and, mathematics teacher, was accused of teaching evolution as a substitute biology teacher. In this re-trial, I hold a position as a jury. Several witnesses had supportive arguments and evidences. Harry Shelton from the prosecution side and Henry F Osborn from the defense side presented the most convincing evidences respectively as Harry’s evidence presented was very acrimonious and unpleasing to John T Scopes and Henry F Osborn provided valid and scientific information to us and the judge.

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In spite of the fact that some people may not be happy with the teaching of both creationism and evolution in schools, I believe they should both be taught. In the event that only creationism were taught, or only evolution, many people would be seeing red. The Scopes Monkey Trial happened

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No matter where a law is passed a disagreement will be brought up saying this teaching is “unconstitutional”. Even though many view this teaching “unconstitutional” the concept of understanding biology is very critical. “ Evolution is the only scientific explanation for the diversity of life. It explains the striking similarities among vastly different forms of life, the changes that occur within populations, and the development of new life forms. ”(Bull)

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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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If evolution is to be taught, so should creation. If teachers refuse to teach creation than you simply get teachers who are willing to teach both. Although if the school system isn’t willing to hire teachers with the desire to teach creation, then they shouldn’t be hiring teachers who want to teach evolution. It is simply an issue of equality and freedom of religion, students are being forced to learn things that contradict their own beliefs. Students will turn their backs on their beliefs because they start to question them.

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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.

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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 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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174 Words | 1 Pages

I believe that it would be better if the Big Bang theory were taught in schools. It does not matter how deep into the subject the school would like to get, as long as they stayed respectful of the student's beliefs and religions. Considering that the Big Bang is one of science top theories on how the earth was created, and it is indeed a science class that the kids are in, it would be a good idea for the students to learn about it. Whether they wanted to believe it or not, it would be their choice, but it would also be a good idea to get the details and insight of the opposing view point. Also, I believe that opposing view points should be taught in schools, so that students would not feel pressured to believe in a certain theory.

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Students are encouraged to form their own opinions and think open-mindedly based on the information presented to them, yet in the topic of life’s origins, they are no longer being afforded this opportunity because of the ban on the teaching of creationism. Creationism should be taught in schools because it does hold validity with several well-respected scientists and utilizes evidence observed by scientific studies to accurately support its main aspects. Critics often dismiss creationism as a hoax that lacks serious thought and accreditation from accomplished scientists. However, several well-respected scientists agree with the theory of creationism as a rational explanation for the

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But I choose to believe in that and I’m not trying to force my religion on anyone. In all seriousness neither side can really prove their theories or ideas of what side they choose. In class I heard some good facts from both sides, with evolution I would like to know how the animals we supposedly evolved from were made and who made the maker that made them.

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Evolution may have been first thought of as just a theory but it has proved that it’s not just a theory, but it is a fact. It is a fact that has been observed and tested time and time again directly, in which it also does not have no evidence against it. Evolution is also not religion nor faith, nor does it goes against it, it is simply based on science. It is based on the origins of all species and not simply just based on life, therefore it does not revolve around the beginnings of life of humans, but more so revolves around the population. Once again, the important thing that I have learned is that evolution does not undermine religion, it does not deny God and does not conflict with religion.

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