Religion and Science in the Classroom Essay - 1850 Words

Science, in Albert Einstein’s words, â€Å"describes what is.† â€Å"Such a description consists of certain laws of nature, which summarize observed patterns, and theories† (Peshkin 46). Science and religion are the main components of the ongoing national debate about the teaching of evolution in our public schools (Peshkin 46).Various religions reject or ignore the contributions of science, arguing that science displaces God, questions religious belief, and degrades morality (Molloy 547). Others disagree, appreciating science and the important information that has broadened our knowledge by providing explanations for natural phenomenon, and continuously enriching our lives. In some religions and traditions, science poses ethical questions. Does†¦show more content†¦If public school teachers want to inform students about creationism, they should do so in a religion class, not a science class. â€Å"Intelligent design or Creationism, as typically viewed on by its American advocates, draws on a literal interpretation of the Judeo-Christian tradition that the world is no more than 6,000 years old and that all species of life on the planet were created over a period of 6 days by a monotheistic deity† (Overton 934). In contrast, evolutionary theory maintains that biological life originated by way of a natural selection process over billions of years (Morris 78).The concept of evolution, since its inception as a scientific theory through publication of Charles Darwin’s â€Å"Origin of Species† in 1859, has faced religious opposition (Verma 206). Intelligent Design has been gaining acceptance in the United States. According to a series of polls, conducted during the last 25 years, about 50% Americans believe in the original form of Creationism (Lewontin, 2005). Former President Bush agreed to teaching evolution and intelligent design side by side in science classes (Dawkins Coyne, 2005). A school board in Dover, Pennsylvania voted against introduction of intelligent design as an alternative to evolution in biology classes (Goodstein, 2005). In Kansas the school board accepted intelligent design as part of the curriculum alongside evolution (Wilgoren,Show MoreRelatedCreationism : A Theory Of Primordial History1585 Words   |  7 Pagestheory of primordial history, moreover with the belief of creationism. Both have had an astounded impact in the framework of contemporary education should or should not be taught in the public classroom. Evolutionists and Creationists both have their reasons why their beliefs should be taught in the public classroom. The matter of the fact is that both of these are considered beliefs, things that are only backed by faith. Only faith, they are not supported by fact which makes them not a theory or hypothesisRead MoreThe Louisiana Science Education Act Essay1728 Words   |  7 Pagesmethod should stay in science classes across the globe. How was the earth created? How were humans created? These are questions that arise in most science classes. Many students require an explanation of why people exist. There are those who would oppose evolution, and there are those who oppose creationism. Is there a significant difference between these methods? Several states have passed regulations that allow schools to teach both evolution and creationism. The Louisiana Science Education Act, inRead MoreThe Controversy Over Creationism And Evolution1415 Words   |  6 Pageswhen it comes to what is being taught in the biology classrooms in public schools today. It may be hard to imagine, but just over 100 years ago the curriculum and beliefs would have looked dramatically different. One central court case that created a spark of bringing evolution to public schools was the infamous Scopes trial of 1925 in which science teacher John Scopes challenged Tennessee state law and taught evolution in his high school science class. Tennessee state legislature had passed a billRead MoreThe Theory Of Evolution Or Intelligent Design1677 Words   |  7 Pagesmay. (Matzke) This has been challenged several times by school boards who wish to introduce Creationism to the classroom, and two cases have made it as far as the Supreme Court. In the 1987 court case Edwards v. Aguillard it was ruled that it is unconstitutional to teach Creationism in public schools because it violates First Amendment protections against the establishment of a state religion. The matter again reached the court in the 2004 case of Kitzmiller v. Dover, after a school board in PennsylvaniaRead More Creationism and the Classroom Essay922 Words   |  4 Pages Creationism and the Classroom nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The American classroom is suffering from a major deficiency. The science curriculum supports one theory of evolution and no other theory as to how the existence of the universe has come to be. This narrow-minded approach has kept many young minds from seeing a very broad picture of this world. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Scientific creationism should be included in our public school curriculum because it is paramount to the progress ofRead MoreThe Problems of Teaching Creationism in Schools1465 Words   |  6 Pagesdoesn’t via a series of questions. One of the questions is presented like this (Heath): 10. My religious liberty is at risk because: A) I am not allowed to teach my children the creation stories of our faith at home. B) Public school science classes are teaching science. This sums up the question of whether or not creationism should be taught in schools. Creationism is the belief that a divine entity created everything, all of the worlds and all life. Another definition of creationism explains it asRead MoreEssay on Creationsim vs. Evolution794 Words   |  4 Pagesscientific theory of how we as humans came to be. Many religions hold different views of how humanity as we know it was created and these people believe that students should be able to hear their side as well. There is one main problem, the separation of church and state and the limits that are set within this statement. Should creation be taught as theory just like evolution? Do other creation myths need to be told to support other religions? Where must we as parents and teachers and studentsRead MoreShould Intelligent Design and/or Creationism Be Taught Alongside Evolution in Public Schools?641 Words   |  3 Pagesamendment, separation of church and state, intelligent design is made of theories of religion and not science, and it can intervene with students prior science knowledge. To begin with, intelligent design should not be taught alongside evolution in classrooms in public schools because it shows favoring of religion. According to the first amendment, it states â€Å"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (ushistory.org). Intelligent designRead MorePolitics Of The Polarized Classroom Essay1666 Words   |  7 PagesPolitics of the Polarized Classroom A Popular Trope By now, one must have already heard or read about the story of a young man standing up to his professor in philosophy class, the latter being a self-professed atheist. Simply put, the professor claimed that it was stupid to believe in God because there was no empirical proof of God. The young man, however, wittily retorts that since the class really had no empirical proof of the professor’s brain, then they really had no business believing him.Read MoreInterrupt Science Essay802 Words   |  4 Pagesinterrupt science classes; it would provide the option, without violating students’ rights to practice their beliefs, religious or not. 2.) It is discouraged by the AAR to use guest speakers unless they have training or background in religious studies (Moore, 2010 p.23). Although this guide is written for the study of religious traditions, it could apply to the creation, evolution, and intelligent designs debate because if the wrong speaker is chosen, the students may only see a small representation