Is this a viable solution to the evolution vs. intelligent design in public schools argument?

Question

Growing up, my dad was military, so we moved a lot and I attended a lot of high schools. All of the high schools required a certain number of science credits and a certain number of social studies/humanities credits with a number of classes that fulfilled these requirements to choose from.

So how about this:

Do not teach intelligent design or evolution before high school, period.

In high school offer two courses.

Evolution - fulfills a biological sciences requirement.

Intelligent Design (covers the creation stories of the major religions of the area) - fulfills a social studies/humanities requirement.

No other science or social studies/humanities courses cover either topic (you can study how cells work in biology w/out going into evolution).

No group is forced to take a course that they feel goes against their fundamental beliefs, but the knowledge is there for those that are interested. It's not like evolution is needed for the basic science courses offered before high school, or even during high school. It's more necessary for the collegiate level.

Answer 1

Intelligent Design does not belong in public schools, period.

It is not an academic subject.

Answer 2

You would be hard pressed to make a course out of either. It would be mere eggheadery.

Answer 3

or you could stick to physics. no dispute there.  

Answer 4

I like your idea alot...however, I think micro evolution should be taught earlier on and should be part of regular science.

I also don't think you can keep kids from asking the larger question.  

Macro Evolution as a way to explain everything seems to be a logical jump when you look at micro evolution.

IF, for an instant you look at how changes in an environment can cause a species to change and break into 2 or 3 separate species..then when you start to run the concept backwards.. you start to get fewer and fewer species.. thus how do you avoid a child or a book from touching on the inevitable conclusion.. OK, so if we go far enough back.. might we have all come from a small handful or even just 1 disctinct species which adapted over time to their environment?

SO you probably couldn't get away from teaching it at all.

But I like your idea of having Intelligent Design or World Religion as a humanities credit.

I also heard that some educational experts have suggested teaching religion in Civics/Government classes as a way to teach kids about ethics and civic responsibilities... since many religions preach about ethics and how to treat other people.

Thus, teaching religion as part of civics class could lead to better more community foccussed citizens.

Both ideas of which I am very fond of.  

Answer 5

Every school that was started in this country at or soon after the start of this country was started so that man could read the Bible and therefore be better citizens.  All universities were the same.  This is a Christian nation and needs to get back to it as soon as possible.  

Answer 6

Schools are for teaching facts. ID is not a fact, it's a failed hypothesis. Evolution is a fact. You wouldn't tolerate it if a school started teaching the "alternative hypothesis" that the Holocaust never happened, would you? There are many misguided people who believe that, though. By your 'logic', they should also be given a voice in the education of our children. We can't teach every possible hypothesis of our origins, therefore, we teach the ONE that has scientific fact to back it up.

Answer 7

But in order to make Intelligent Design/Creationism work, you have to mangle geology and astronomy, too. Are we going to not teach kids those?

Answer 8

There is no evidence at all to back up intelligent design.

It should not be taught as fact.

If you want to present it as one possible creation myth in a comparative religion course, okay, but otherwise, keep it out of public schools.

ETA:  I took calculus and physics in high school.  Do you really think I shouldn't have been exposed to basic evolutionary theory at the same time?  Don't cripple kids before they even get a chance to go to college.

Answer 9

intelligent design must be teach in churches...

I think intelligent design doesn't help... It even assume a more complex being...

if you are interested with this... I think you must visit my site for my further insights

http://ageofserpents.blogspot.com

Answer 10

The idea of intelligent design has been hijacked by non-scientists so it looks like there is no evidence. Intelligent design is not creationism. It's a theory that backs up the fact that there are forces at work beyond our understanding that influence nature. This is actually why it was monks who came up with the scientific method - to show there was a greater power at work and come to a better understanding of its mechanisms.

The reality is there is plenty of unexplainable evidence, such as leaps in evolution causing branches in the genetics that can only be explained by an unknown external influence. That doesn't mean God, or Aliens, it means unknown. An objective scientist recognizes the evidence and tries to follow it rather than make it fit their theory. Proof is in cause and effect and demonstrating a mechanism behind cause and effect. A good scientist is not afraid to say the words "inconclusive" or "unknown".

A good scientist will also not rule out the existence of God because to close their mind to the possibility means they may deny evidence of it does one day become available. So by definition no atheist is a good scientist, but an agnostic (skeptic) is.

School used to be about exploring and understanding the unknown, so I think intelligent design is a natural part of science. For example scientists are now asking the question, do sub-atomic particles have free will? That's a question that can easily be described as a mechanism for intelligent design without having anything to do with creationism or religion.

Creationism and religion I think can be part of social and cultural studies and the mechanisms that may or may not be behind them can be a part of science.  

Answer 11

Change the name of your "Intelligent Design" course to "Comparative Religions" and you've got yourself a winner...

Answer 12

The only problem I can foresee is the textbook. The ones available  are the Quran, Bible, and Talmud. Would you use all three or which one do you chose. To be honest, I feel that using any of them is asking for more trouble. And since there is no other way to teach intelligent design other than a religious book, it can't be done.

Answer 13

Evolution should be taught to all students in science. It is a fact. There is no compromise - teach creationism in religion.

x

Answer 14

logical solution. but the evolutionists wouldn't stand for it.

Answer 15

Sorry, but evolution is needed in daily science. It'd help you understand biology better.

Besides, with your argument, then we shouldn't be learning History. It's not needed in real life. What about some of the subjects in Mathematics? Most people only need to learn how to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. Not a lot of people need to know trigonometry.

Answer 16

Under this scenario you would be obligated to teach every other creation myth that was requested. The problem is that Creationists want it taught as a viable alternative to science when it clearly is not. I don't want my tax money paying for someone to confuse my kids w/ nonsense.

If they came out and said, "This is creationism, just remember it's not really true." the fundamentalists would have a fit. If a teacher taught it as if it was true all the reasonable people would object and sue the school board costing the taxpayers even more money. There is no compromise w/ Creationism in public schools.

Answer 17

Evolution is fact.

Intelligent Design is a nonsense devised solely to support a religious myth at a time when science was starting to find the real answers to life, the universe and everything.

Intelligent Design should not be taught in any public place of learning.

Answer 18

why  perpetuate outdated myths  just because people dont want  to  sucked into the real world?

evolution is a scientific fact  

Answer 19

You don't have to teach both sides of the debate when one side is a pile of c**p. But that's exactly what evolution is.

They should take out evolution and teach Creation Science. They should teach children the Holy Bible starting in Kindergarten on up. All school studies should be based upon the Bible's foundation of truth.

Answer 20

Intelligent design is self evident. hardly needs to be taught.

but i do agree that studies of evolution should not be mandatory. although the world has been so brainwashed that you will hear of it whether you want to or not.

Answer 21

Consider this

Mysteries In Science

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zTXxpXOo...

The Young Age of the Earth

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=...

The Origin of Man by Dr. Duane Gish

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z3FZDysZK...

The Origins of Life

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=...

Evolution: Challenge of the Fossil Record - Part 1 of 6

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NkO6fQvy...

Skull Fossils - As Empty as the Evolutionary Theory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yu5jN897...

Neanderthals - Smarter Then We Thought

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxL636n3w...

Dinosaurs: Those Terrible Lizards

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVvGByvp1...

Atheist's NightMare: Evolution

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udqoCGPnV...

Our Solar System: Evidence For Creation

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=...