Is it legal to teach Creation in public schools in the US?

Question

Is there any legal document prohibiting it? Where can I find it?

Answer 1

Well you need to define creation.

creation stories are well covered in comparative religion classes. The key is that all creation stories are covered.

There is a legal document - its called the Constitution.

Specifically - the First amendment.

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Do a google search for the establishment clause  - you'll see that this has been well covered by the Supreme Court -

So no - you cannot teach creation.

A further note - All states create their own curriculum through standards. teachers cannot decide what to teach on their own. If you'll take a look at your states 6th and 7th grade curriculum - you'll see that religion is covered in an overview that covers ancient civilizations - You'll find that it is not limited to one belief system and that it is more comprehensive than simply creation beliefs. A typical part of the standards are something like: (from CA)

"Students analyze the geographic, political, economic, religious, and social structures of the early civilizations of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Kush." - Ancient Hebrew, Greece, Rome, China would follow.

Answer 2

I know a lot of teachers who preach in US public schools, even though it's not legal.

Answer 3

Jeanie,

No, it is not legal to teach creation in public schools. And yes, there are numerous legal documents prohibiting it. The earliest one is the United States constitution, whose First ammendment says:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion,"

You are correct that the phrase "separation of church and state" does not appear in the constitution, this is a paraphrasing of the above portion of the Bill of Rights. However, it is still the case that legally forcing the teaching of creation (which originates from the Bible, the scriptures of Christianity) would be to pass a law advocating the views of one particular religion (Christianity) over all others. That's EXACTLY what the first ammendment says we can't do.

Numerous court decisions, the most important of which are McLean v. Arkansas Board of Education and Kitzmiller v. Dover area School District, have ruled that teaching creation in public school science classrooms is unconstitutional.

You also ask if anything prohibits scientific views of creationism to be taught in public schools. The mistake you make here is that there are no "scientific" views of creation. Creation is a RELIGIOUS idea that originates from the Bible and, by definition, involves an omnipotent creator. But an omnipotent creator, by definition, is not testable. Since science only deals with testable ideas, there can be no scientific exploration of creationism. The many attempts that have been made by the so-called "creation scientists" to cram ideas about creation into science with a shoehorn have all met with failure and have been thoroughly rebutted.

You can find the U.S. constitution here:

http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html

You can find a listing of court cases with links to documents and the final decisions here:

http://www.talkorigins.org/origins/faqs-...

Answer 4

If it's not in the state standards, I would not do it.  If it is, then you have justification for doing so.  I would check with your state department of education, they will have a better answer for you.  My guess is that if you teach both evolution and creation that would be your best shot at justifying teaching creation (and MAYBE less controversial).

Answer 5

It is not so much legally wrong, but if it relates to religion, then it is a no-go.  Atheists, non-believers, agnostics, and politically correct individuals who want to be heard but not listen to others are all the result of schools not allowing such information to be taught.  If you want it, go to a parochial school or a private Christian school that offers it.

Answer 6

You can teach it, but in most states it can't be taught in a Science class because it a strictly Jewish and Christian religious belief.

Teach it in a Comparitive religion course and it's ok.

Answer 7

i would hope its not legal, unless its an elective and it is explained in the class that only insane religious folk who don't believe in science actually believe that c**p----its theology not science----people believed at one time that the world was flat, and the people who opposed these beliefs justified their belief that the world is round on the fact that the stars, moon, and sun obviously revolve around the earth, and they were wrong and many of their religions are now obsolete or non-existent---

is someone trying teach your kid creationism?  you should teach his or her kid other wrong things like that christopher columbus rode a giant unicorn to south africa where he discovered smurfs and indians

Answer 8

only in a philosophy or similar class. but it does vary state to state. some states allow the teaching of creationism in science classes as a rival theory to evolution. but when met with a court challenge it is usually struck down. there is no supreme court precedent involving the prohibition of creationism in schools other than 'school prayer' type cases but that's not really a fair comparison. so far this is still a state issue and not a federal issue.

Answer 9

I do not believe it is illegal, although the teaching of Non fact based theory should be illegal.

FYI the bible is not fact!

Answer 10

I believe it falls under the auspices of 'States' Rights' as to whether it is allowed or not, although it has come under attack from both sides recently.

For example:

http://www.adl.org/religion_ps_2004/evol...

Answer 11

You can teach ABOUT it, but you can't teach it in public schools.  It is a religious belief, and the Constitution requires a separation of Church and state (this has to do with the establishment clause of the 1st Amendment), including the fact that you can't teach a particular religion in the public schools.  If you were teaching a comparative religions course, you would be talking about what some people believe, and that would be legal, as opposed to teaching something as fact that is just a religious belief.