Miller 1
Period: 2
2/24/12
Creationism is the religious theory that humanity, the Earth, and everything that exists in it have been created by God in a matter of seven days. Many public schools tend to teach creationism, while others teach evolution. Charles, a seventh grade student has been expelled from his middle school. He encountered an altercation with one of his peers regarding religious views. The altercation evolved from the creationism unit that was being taught in their science course. While Charles believes in God creating the universe, his peer seems to differ. The dispute which soon led to a physical altercation caused both of the students’ expelsion. This could have been avoided if creationism wasn’t included into the school’s curriculum. Creationism shouldn’t be taught in public schools because it suggests the teaching of religion and in many different cases; it’s not considered a science.
The Establishment Clause stated under the First Amendment, in the U.S. constitution, states “ Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion” (1). In other words, the Establishment Clause restricts the government from endorsing any particular religious belief. This prohibition ensures that public schools acknowledge students of all faiths and even the students who may not belong to any religion. With creationism, being a controversial subject, it intrigues a lot of debates that usually turn into disputes. Using Charles as an example, the teaching of creationism caused a lot of tension received from the debate him and his peer might of encountered. The Establishment clause allows them to learn in a theological debate free-environment. Under the Establishment Clause, Charles’s story can be viewed as unconstitutional merely because creationism focuses on one religion.
On the other hand, Dr. Jerry Bergman is a Ph.D. professor that teaches biology at Bowling Green State University. In Acts & Facts, published by the Institute for Creation Research, Bergman states that, “ If schools are to be a place where students can debate important questions, it would seem that eliminating religious questions, would shelter students from an important area of debate which is crucial for living a well-rounded life.” (2)
I agree that challenging students by presenting them with difficult situations can teach them strategies that will help them survive in the world. There’s many different strategies that can be used to replace the religious context. For instance, presenting mind-intriguing projects or giving the students difficult math problems in their math course. But when it comes down to testing their religious beliefs, it can somewhat be seen as ripping them from their self-identity. For example, if you have been taught “creation science” throughout your whole life, wouldn’t you be swayed to believe in God? Many students have been swayed into believing in Christianity because learning about it has convinced them. This contradicts the Establishment Clause, it’s suggesting the Christianity religion.
Moreover, many court cases have ruled that creationism is not even considered a science. The Arkansas Equal Time Creation Science Law rules that “creationism is not a science, creation science is religion, and to teach religion in public schools is illegal.” This law supports the Establishment Clause, but it’s specifically targeting creationism. Furthermore, in the U.S. Supreme Court Case Edwards v Aguillard, the court ruled against creation science. The jury embraced the fact that, “creationism is crucial to the future of basic science education.” “ science education is becoming damaged because religious ideas were being taught as science.” “Teaching creationism, in turn, established a false conflict between science and religion and created confusion about the nature of scientific inquiry”(3). In other words, teaching creationism confuses the difference between science and religion. Continuing this confusing can damage the future base of science education because the younger generation would learn false information without rationale reasoning behind it.
Unfortunately, opponents think that teaching creationism actually helps modern science protocol. Since science is based merely off of “facts” or other’s people memories, teaching creationism allows the science world to become bias. Since creationism is a religious theory, it allows people to interpret it and decide if it’s science or not. Too elaborate on what was previously mentioned, opponents of this topic may also feel that teaching creationism allows students to become ore versatile when it comes down to thinking about difficult situations. Teaching creationism allows them analyze it anyway that they would like.
Above all, creationism is a interesting subject to converse about, but not at a public school, it’s very inappropriate. Moreover, there are many parochial and private schools out there that teach creationism, evolution, and many other different religions regularly. Going to those schools, allows students to learn and believe in religion voluntarily. Unlike, teaching creationism or a religion and public school where they would be forced almost to learn about it. Creationism is great to learn about, but learning about it at a public school is extremely inappropriate.
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