Should creationism be taught in schools? Here is how one science teacher answered that question:
“In the Western tradition there are two competing explanations for the origin of species: Darwinian evolution and Biblical creationism. One of those is literally, verifiably true, and the other is not. In teaching evolution, to do right by the students, you cannot equivocate on this point. And to do justice to the subject, to bring home its true meaning, it is necessary to be absolutely clear that the science refutes the mythology. To do that, you have to tell both stories, hold them up next to one another, so that you can see their relative strengths and weaknesses. It does not take long to tell the religious tale; since there is no evidence to back it up, it really only takes up a small fraction of the instructional time. Then you can move on to a deeper, reality-based understanding of nature."
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39 comments (26 - 39)
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.While teaching the science, there's nothing wrong with pointing out that there are many mythological and allegorical explanations as to how the universe works and how it came about. But there's no reason to single out Christian creationism as if there's anything special about it.
Harrison
Level 5
Jan 8, 2020
2
No reason other than time constraints and the overwhelming dominance of the Judeo/Christian mythology in the western hemisphere.
Create means combining 2 things to make sonething new. Creation is how 2 hydrogen atoms theoretically fuse to make a helium. There for "creationism " can not he completely ignored. The biblical creation is a lot allegory, stories making a point and with hidden meaning. Biblical text is not specifically intended to be scientifically perfect, how ever for an allegory, biblical text is not far off from big bang scientific creation myth most commonly known as the big bang theory.
Word
Level 8
Jan 7, 2020
2
Word:
@maturin1919 I am beginning to think I am followed by this Fred character you speak of. Has me wondering if you always speak to imagionary people?
Research as stated on wikipedia: It has been theorized that children with imaginary companions may develop language skills and retain knowledge faster than children without them, which may be because these children get more linguistic practice than their peers as a result of carrying out "conversations" with their imaginary friends.[11]
So, I can understand if this helps your development intellectually, but then I am wondering your age or if you have slower development needing longer in life to converse with your imaginary Fred friend.
I find the claims of the Bible to absurd. The assertion that the universe was created is a logic fail of the first order.
@maturin1919 Please tell Fred to send me some of what he is smoking
You really take liberties with the word "creationism." Just because elements combine to form, or "create" new elements, or molecules has nothing to do with what the bible's many, many authors were talking about, were even vaguely aware of. You are just doing a bad job of apologetics.
Hidden meaning? Stories about how to live together as a community...maybe. Stories to help people deal with their existential anxiety? You bet. But, start with "Where did Cain's wife come from, in a created universe with only 4 people? Did he marry your imaginary friend?
Word:
@BirdMan1 You are going with the English translation understanding of biblical text. Vidoe claims story as myth(myth does not automatically mean false, but not directly verfied) but explains genius of story from orginal language. If you consider this video that explains original language it explains a lot that is not transfered in translation. The original language considered as allegory does not automatically disregard evolutionary processes and explains the difference in the use of "Adam" for meaning mankind generally or almost like saying homo sapiens but specifically saying the name of a specific person.
This is the best video explaining biblical story in original language. It helps bring out the genius of the biblical story.
@Word "The story," as you put it is just that a "story." One among thousands that humans have devised, and told, in order to explain their existence in the universe. One among thousands that peoples have devised in trying to alleviate their fear of the randomness of the universe that so affects, and afflicts, them. We do not know that other animals have the cognitive capacity to question their lives, humans obviously do, and they dearly feel a need for answers...so they make them up.
Word:
@BirdMan1 you opinion that humans devised, I see the story as having highly intellectual concepts incorporated into it. Am I saying that in and of itself proves anything, no, but would say it could be used as a puzzle piece of information for being a piece of evidence for the possibility of something else highly intellegent other than people kind.
you Mention telling “ both stories”. Only one of these is a story and the other is fact. But more importantly the are many creation stories out there so do we now have to present all of them in order to perform this comparison? Is this realistic to spend so much time on myth when there is so much real knowledge to teach?
Cinco
Level 5
Jan 6, 2020
2
Again, very little time is spent on the myth. There is simply not much there to cover. It can be encapsulated in one sentence. Or if you want to go whole hog, spend five minutes.
Very good. Too bad this is not standardized for all science teachers.
JackPedigo
Level 9
Jan 6, 2020
2
The education system is set up to teach facts. Religious doctrine can be taught in the context of the facts are these are mythological beliefs. I.D. is meant to be taught as an alternative to the facts as if they were viable facts. If Creation is to be taught in schools it needs to be taught in mythology or religion classes and never in a science class for any reason. Teaching children lies is obviously not good for any reason.
DavidLaDeau
Level 8
Jan 8, 2020
1
It would be appropriate to bring it up in a current events or debate class, not science class.
indirect76
Level 7
Jan 7, 2020
1
A science teacher needs to be present. Could I suggest not to teach or debate but rather discuss with availability of tested and trusted facts
@Mcflewster I don’t know. If a student is in a current events or debate class I would trust them to be intelligent enough to figure it out themselves. If not I doubt the presence of a science teacher will change their minds.
This Biblical creationism cartoon 'only takes up a small fraction of the instructional time' for the students. Also would serve as anti-bullying, well not from God, but from other students. 
JonQ
Level 6
Jan 6, 2020
1
Nice!
I studied a bit of Darwin at school. Not very deeply but enough to have a few notions.
Paddypereira
Level 7
Jan 6, 2020
1
I find it mildly disturbing that no one mentions this difference :
origin of species -- that is evolution (settled science)
origin of life -- that is creationism (mythology) or abiogenesis (still unknown by science)
FearlessFly
Level 9
Jan 6, 2020
1
It is generally understood so no need to mention.
Creationism should be taught in several ways:
Creationism should be taught within the context that numerous religions have individual and different creation accounts that are viewed as allegorical or literal. Historically, Christian Creationism is one of the topics that religious organizations have used in seeking to influence government policy and thus to subvert the separation of church and state /1st Amendment.
The actual instruction of evolution in science classes has been discouraged and degraded by campaigns waged by religionists abusing political mechanisms. Also, to the extent that teachers are drawn from the general population, a significant portion of those teachers have a religion-based bias against teaching the science of evolution as validated fact.
Students should be informed that the state instructional materials and personnel may be compromised in regard to their quality of understanding evolution, and that, given the importance of the subject, students should learn about evolution through their own unbiased research. As extra credit, students should research the origins of Creationism, how the notions actually originated and got passed along, this being in the context of the interaction of religious organizations with politics.
racocn8
Level 9
Jan 7, 2020
0
Sorry, that will never work. Nice thoughts. Most parents don't care if you teach evolution, just don't start talking about religion and give your opinion as a science teacher. In the state of Georgia, we teach the sate standards. Evolution is included, creationism is not. However, it is against the law for a teacher to give (his/her/other) opinion concerning religion. (in-class).
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