Should evolution be taught in schools?

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Originally posted by Artanis
Well, until very recently, Christianity was also taught as a fact, at least here in Norway. But it really doesn't bother me whether creation/evolution are taught as a fact or not, as long as both are taught. When the children grow up, they'll start questioning things, and they'll form their own opinion. But to be able to form that opinion, they need knowledge on both subjects, and that's what the schools should be able to give them.

I completely agree.

[HOBBIT]

well, usually science tecahers are either really nice great teachers, jerks, plain stupid, or completely insane. Sometimes a combination.


Why is it the school's responsibility? plus, legally, here in the us they really can't teach religion except from a historical veiwpoint. Besides, we are very diversified here. In my school, there must be AT LEAST 5 different religions, maybe more. You CANNOT teach the Jewish, Christian (although practically the same exact thing i think), Muslim (same thing?), Hindu (differnt), other Indian myths and creation stories, budhist theory, other theories, etc. Historically i have no problem with any religion being taught... but the other stuff is for religious school.

[Artanis]

Originally posted by HOBBIT
Why is it the school's responsibility?

Well you can't leave it to the parents. I could not give my children sufficient knowledge about Christianity, I've forgotten much of what I've learned. And I don't know much about other religions. I think school is a natural place for the children to learn about these things.

Besides, we are very diversified here. In my school, there must be AT LEAST 5 different religions, maybe more. You CANNOT teach the Jewish, Christian (although practically the same exact thing i think), Muslim (same thing?), Hindu (differnt), other Indian myths and creation stories, budhist theory, other theories, etc.

I admit you have a problem there. It takes too much time to go into each of these in depth. But I think it is a pre to have at least basic knowledge of the most important religions in the world. Religion is extremely important in every level of society, it does play an important role in everyday life of billions of people, it does have a strong impact on history and politics. I do think it's vital to understand the religious motives behind people's actions.

Historically i have no problem with any religion being taught... but the other stuff is for religious school.

If you by 'other stuff' mean preaching, I would agree with you.

[HOBBIT]

Well you can't leave it to the parents. I could not give my children sufficient knowledge about Christianity, I've forgotten much of what I've learned. And I don't know much about other religions. I think school is a natural place for the children to learn about these things.

Eh well i meant either the parents teach the religion themselves or/and take care of the teaching. What I mean by that is send the kid to religious school. Practically all the Jewish kids here went to regular school and then we had a two hour hewbrew i think twice a week. Of course I quit the second I could. All the christian kids that I know went or still go to CCD (i guess that is the hebrew school equivalent).

Are you saying that it is the PUBLIC school's job? OF COURSE IT IS NOT. It is the PARENT's job to send their kid to either a private school that includes religion or a separate religious school. OR if they want they can raise their kids atheists - whatever - im just saying if they want to introduce some religion.

So in what way should religion be taught in public schools? And if there is to be no preaching, what good would it do anyway?

[Ruinel]

Religion and religious teachings should always been kept in its proper setting, as either a history of religion class, or as a religious education class as part of a faith church/synagogue/mosque. And not taught at the expense of taxpayers.

[Sheeana]

I disagree. Cultural evolution is just as interesting, and important as the biological side of it. I believe that it is important to cover all the bases, not just the science of our development, but also the history - and I believe that a study of the modern forms of religion would fit quite well in a social studies, or history class.

[HOBBIT]

You disagree with who?

I said that it should and is taught in history - also runiel as well. I took world history this year - we learned about budhists, christians, jews, greek, roman, indian religions - and many other religions and other ways of thinking and living. We learned historically about the start of the christian faith and obviously about the byzantine empire, etc. We also learned a lot about Muslims. We also studied in detail the many reformations and the protestant movement and other sects.

Basically we covered a lot of the bases of MANY religions concerning the hsitory behind it and what exaclty they believe. Just NO preaching what-so-ever. It is not being taught that any of the religions are right.

[Sheeana]

I was disagreeing with Ruinel, because she stated that it should be confined to private instituations, and not at the expense of the tax-payer. I think that it should be in public schools because our history, and cultural development is just as important as the biology of our development.

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by Sheeana
I disagree. Cultural evolution is just as interesting, and important as the biological side of it. I believe that it is important to cover all the bases, not just the science of our development, but also the history - and I believe that a study of the modern forms of religion would fit quite well in a social studies, or history class.

Sorry for the confusion, I meant ... as a history class (including different religions) in public institutions. I don't mind my tax dollars going to that.

But I agree that a sociology class might also be appropriate, as well as a social studies class.

I also agree with Hobbit, no preaching allowed.

[Sheeana]

Do you mean to tell me that I got on my soap box for nothing. *deflated look* Oh well, it was time for my annual bath anyway. Now where did I put my rubber chicken?

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Heh heh heh. Beautifully said, BoP.

[Artanis]

Originally posted by HOBBIT
Basically we covered a lot of the bases of MANY religions concerning the hsitory behind it and what exaclty they believe. Just NO preaching what-so-ever. It is not being taught that any of the religions are right.

Yes. That's exactly what I want in public schools. What do people believe and why, and the historical background. No preaching, no bias.

[Ruinel]

Originally posted by Sheeana
Do you mean to tell me that I got on my soap box for nothing. *deflated look* Oh well, it was time for my annual bath anyway. Now where did I put my rubber chicken?

Oh... sorry. I think it was my fault. I read it again and I do not think I was as clear as I should have been. But it was still nice to read you reply.

I do not, however, think that there should be group prayer in school unless it is part of a religious extracurricular group. And not during announcements nor during class time. That I am opposed to. However, I think students shouldn't be prevented from practicing their religion. If a group of Christian students (or Muslim, or Hindu, or Buddist, or Jew) got together and held a group prayer before class ("oh lord, please help me pass my bio exam today, for I did not study" -j/k) or during lunch or afterschool, I think that should not be interfered with. (Ok... if you disagree, you can get back on your soap box now. )

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Originally posted by Ruinel
However, I think students shouldn't be prevented from practicing their religion.

You really are nice to us, aren't you?

[Giroth]

Hey all,


Just wanted to say that I guess it is all a matter of opinion.(oh,and I never said,cassi,that evoution was c***.....)


Both Christianity
and evoution have many followers,SOME evidence,
and both make sense in their own ways.
So,there you go


~Giroth

[Gwaimir Windgem]

You mean CREATIONISM and Evolution. Evolution is not necessarily contradictory to Christianity; I believe that God created mankind, and the heavens, and the earth. But I believe that he must have created them SOME way, and that it might have been evolution. I just personally learn towards Creation, because as Rian said, it seems to me to fit more with Him.

[HOBBIT]

Originally posted by Giroth
Hey all,


Just wanted to say that I guess it is all a matter of opinion.(oh,and I never said,cassi,that evoution was c***.....)


Both Christianity
and evoution have many followers,SOME evidence,
and both make sense in their own ways.
So,there you go


~Giroth

no, you are very wrong. what evidence is there for creation other than everything is here and we don't know why, therefore some supreme being created them. Thats it. That is not evidence. and don't you mean CREATION not christianity. There are like hundreds of creation myths that ARE JUST AS VALID as the 7 days story.

And there is not SOME, there is A LOT of evidence for evolution.

but you are welcome to your opinion....

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Originally posted by HOBBIT
no, you are very wrong. what evidence is there for creation other than everything is here and we don't know why, therefore some supreme being created them. 1) Thats it.

2)but you are welcome to your opinion....

1) No, there's more than that. But I don't really specialise in it, so I don't know it well.

2) Wow, all of you atheists are just SO NICE to us theists....

[HOBBIT]

well, that is our nature :P

btw, i consider myself to be an athiest jew i dont wanna hear any arguments. basically i believe whatever i want to but i still keep some ties to judiasm - im not completely godless - just not very religious and stuff :P.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

I would agree, except for the godless part. Someone who does not believe in the supernatural cannot very well be anything BUT godless, I would think...