Evolution in Schools | Teen Ink

Evolution in Schools

May 2, 2011
By sydthekid BRONZE, Lewistown, Ohio
sydthekid BRONZE, Lewistown, Ohio
1 article 5 photos 9 comments

Favorite Quote:
Replace fear of the unknown with curiosity.


America was founded on Christian principles. Just generations ago Biblical ideas were being taught in schools. Although we are known as a Christian country, religious ideas in public places are frowned upon or replaced. Now, scientific theories- evolution and the big bang- are being taught as fact to students across the nation. This is a growing problem because evolution is not a fact, only a weak theory based on misinterpreted evidence.

There are two types of evolution being taught. One type, also known as natural selection or species adaptation, is when specific changes occur in one species. According to Roger Patterson, author of Evolution Exposed, natural selection is how a species changes, or evolves, in short periods of time. For example, one breed of dog evolved slightly to create the many different breeds of dogs we have now. This makes sense. Why? All dogs are similar to each other. You could say the same for birds, fish, cats, or any other animal. However, the theory of evolution says every living thing on the earth- plants, humans, animals and microscopic organisms- originated from only one organism. This is unrealistic. Natural selection can be tested and observed. On the other hand, the theory of evolution should not be taught as logical, evident factual information because it has not been scientifically proven as most of the non-Christian scientific world would tell you.

Along with evolution, a theory for the origin of life, we have the Big Bang Theory, a theory for the origin of our universe. According to Dr. Jason Lisle, author of The Ultimate Proof of Creation, the Big Bang is a “rapid expansion of space and energy from a single infinitesimally small point, energy cooled and became matter, which condensed into stars and galaxies.” A simple explanation? Nothing expanded and then exploded creating the universe. This theory is contradictory to the 1st Law of Thermodynamics, which we are taught in physics. The law states that matter and energy cannot be created or destroyed, they are constant. School textbooks teach us the Big Bang really happened, but how could it have happened? The same textbooks say that matter and energy cannot be created. How can nothing form something? It can’t.

However, the creation of our universe can make sense if though about differently. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the Earth.” An infinite and holy being, like the Christian God, would be able to create matter and energy because He has the power to do so. As a student, why am I learning theories only to find out they are proven false chapters later in my textbook?

One thing that must be understood is that evolution is a historical theory- an explanation of past events based on the interpretation of evidence that is available in the present. The theory of evolution can not be tested or observed, but many scientists believe we can still understand how it happened. Biblical creation is also a historical theory- you cannot conduct scientific experiments to prove whether it is true or false. For science to be fact it has to be proven true using observations and experiments. As evolution cannot be observed or experimented on, It can never be deemed true. Evolution should be taught as a theory, not fact. False interpretations of the so-called evidence for the theory of evolution, even though commonly being “discovered” by the scientific world, rarely if ever, make it to the classrooms since schools use the same textbooks for many years.

Evolution uses the same evidence for its “truth” as creation does. The argument comes down to the interpretation of the evidence. The same facts that support evolution can support creation. We all have the same earth, same animals, same rocks, and same plants. Consider fossil bearing rock layers. A creationist would say it’s a result of the Genesis flood, whereas an evolutionist would say the area used to be a river and it eroded over millions of years. It’s the same evidence, but interpreted differently.

Evolution is a popular origins theory that is taught to students all over the country. It hasn’t been proven nor can it be. It is a view of the world’s creation. Just like I can’t force my views of creation on you, I shouldn’t have theories I don’t believe in taught to be in the classroom as if they were absolutes.




Works Cited
Boehler, Joey. “Institute of Apologetics”. Awake and Alive Youth Group. Grace Chapel
Christian Union, Wapakoneta, Ohio. 21 June, 2009.

Ham, Ken, ed. The New Answers Book 2. Green Forest, Arkansas: Master Books, 2008. Print.

Lisle, Jason. Ultimate Proof of Creation. Green Forest, Arkansas: Master Books, 2009. Print.

New International Version. Zondervan, ed. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 2000. Print.

Patterson, Roger. Evolution Exposed. Hebron, Kentucky: Answers in Genesis, 2007. Print.


The author's comments:
I wrote this for my English class. We were told to write a paper on a subject we were passionate about.

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This article has 69 comments.


ambnyc SILVER said...
on Sep. 30 2011 at 4:47 pm
ambnyc SILVER, Rego Park, New York
6 articles 0 photos 133 comments

Favorite Quote:
You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. - Dr. Seuss

And why c.reationism should not be taught in school -

"

Standard creationist claims — about the age of the Earth, the pattern of descent of living creatures, and human history— are contradicted by scientific evidence, and were rejected by mainstream science over a century ago. Teaching such claims in science class misinforms and mis-educates students.

It would damage our students' understanding of evolution, one of the most significant theories in science, critical to unifying biology, to integrating biology with geology and astronomy, and to establishing the scientific foundations of modern medicine and agriculture. Creationist arguments also frequently promote severe misunderstandings in other scientific and mathematical areas, such as thermodynamics and statistics.

Creationist claims also create confusion about the nature of the scientific research, the way scientists actually obtain and evaluate evidence, make and test hypotheses, and continue to deepen our scientific understanding of natural processes. Thus, the damage of teaching creationism goes deeper that the specific subject matter, and makes it harder for students to understand new scientific ideas throughout their lives."


Dreamboat said...
on Aug. 24 2011 at 11:05 am
Dreamboat, Madison, Wisconsin
0 articles 0 photos 62 comments

Favorite Quote:
My name is Indigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.

Okay, I think I understand what you think but a theory is the highest form of an idea. Something that was beleived wrong but then was tested to a point where it is impossible to disprove. Obviously some theory turn out to be wrong but others stand strong for years or decades. If anything creationism is a hypothois or something else but is certinly not a theory.

Dreamboat said...
on Aug. 24 2011 at 10:56 am
Dreamboat, Madison, Wisconsin
0 articles 0 photos 62 comments

Favorite Quote:
My name is Indigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.

If you would like to respect the seperation between church and state, then you cant teach creationism in schools. A more fair system would be to have classes on religion, such as are present in religous schools.

Dreamboat said...
on Aug. 24 2011 at 10:52 am
Interesting but what I fail to see is the reason or logic in throwing away a system of examining ideas that has worked since the Greeks came up with it. What I am talking about is logic and the way that it is applicable to god. Even if my tounge is as sharp as a spear, I think that you can deal with it and try to argue your point.

Dreamboat said...
on Aug. 24 2011 at 10:47 am
In my opinon, people can beleive what they want. The problem I have is when conflicting beleifs cause wars. I dont care if Creationism is taught outside of school but when people start trying to give more leverage to their beleifs, I think it is wrong.

Dreamboat said...
on Aug. 24 2011 at 10:44 am
or wrong.               

Dreamboat said...
on Aug. 24 2011 at 10:44 am
Sorry but you cant prove somthing that dosnt exist.

ambnyc SILVER said...
on Aug. 20 2011 at 10:25 pm
ambnyc SILVER, Rego Park, New York
6 articles 0 photos 133 comments

Favorite Quote:
You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams. - Dr. Seuss

America is NOT a theocracy. We are not a Christian country. There is separation of Church and State - that alone should tell you we are not grounded in religious values. Jeez. Get it through your head.

There is scientific evidence for evolution and the big bang theory, it's your choice whether to accept it or not. But you won't, because you believe some invisible big man in the sky created us.


on Jul. 4 2011 at 10:24 am
Thesilentraven PLATINUM, Mableton, Georgia
40 articles 2 photos 1632 comments

Favorite Quote:
"il piu nell' uno," (according to Emerson, an Italian expression for beauty)

"Unable are the loved to die, for love is immortality" ~Emily Dickinson

"The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain"
~Kahlil Gibran

Aha! Either both or neither! A decent compromise.

As to the comment by Dreamboat: because the story of creationism would only hold true for the religious people. These are public schools we are considering, where the separation of church and state must be kept in mind. I say, then, teach both!


on Jul. 4 2011 at 9:40 am
tikapeek97 BRONZE, Waterboro, Maine
2 articles 1 photo 39 comments

Favorite Quote:
"good things come in small packages" =)

I agree with Sydney B. 100% At my school they only teach evolution and I am a creationist. I believe in God and that he created the world and everything in it. I think they should eather teach both or none.

Person said...
on Jun. 30 2011 at 11:17 pm
Plus, I do believe evolution exists to an extent. I believe evolution is a synonym for adaptation. Take germs and bacteria for example. They have to evolve to some sort in order to be able to conquer and resist antibiotics and such, otherwise, they would have been long erradicated.

Person said...
on Jun. 30 2011 at 11:14 pm
I dont know what school you go to, but in mine we had the option to learn about evolution, and it wasnt taught as fact, but more so as something we could think about later in life. And can I just refer to your first sentence. You say the country was founded on Christian principles when most (which Im just saying meaning more than half) of the founding fathers were Deists.

rockyraccoon said...
on Jun. 26 2011 at 2:13 am
rockyraccoon, Fort Wayne, Indiana
0 articles 0 photos 54 comments

Favorite Quote:
today tommorow next month next year all look remarkably gray.

im not sure wich of the thousands of religeions or atheism is correct but i do know that when religion is taught people are annoyed in my science class there are a few budhists and some christens some muslims and some others and if you taught only one like christianity then all the others would be annoyed. also the mixing of goverment and religion in any form is rarely wise.

Psalm_57:4 said...
on Jun. 21 2011 at 6:14 pm

Thanks for that. Bi.ble is logic, but you refuse to learn truth and reject it. It's a shame that you would choose He.ll and s.in over Go.d and salv.ation. I hope your conscience is guilty doing that.  

P.S.- check out the Bi.ble verse that is my screen name. 


Dreamboat said...
on Jun. 20 2011 at 4:43 pm
Dreamboat, Madison, Wisconsin
0 articles 0 photos 62 comments

Favorite Quote:
My name is Indigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.

I am glad that you got into the collage of your choice, thats great! Well I dont really have anything left to say. It seems that you refused to read my posts and dont accept logic (you know, that thing the bible is full of) so yea, have a nice time in collage.

Dreamboat said...
on Jun. 20 2011 at 10:05 am
Dreamboat, Madison, Wisconsin
0 articles 0 photos 62 comments

Favorite Quote:
My name is Indigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.

Creationism isnt a scientific theory. It is just a story. Any scientist can tell you that.

Dreamboat said...
on Jun. 20 2011 at 10:04 am
Dreamboat, Madison, Wisconsin
0 articles 0 photos 62 comments

Favorite Quote:
My name is Indigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.

Okay. Well if you had read my last post you would have seen the statement "Can god create a rock that even he can not lift?" Well if you thought about that statement and tried to answer it you would see that omnipotence is an impossible thing in this universe. And if you look in the bible the "source" of logic you would see that it says that god is omnipotent. These two contradicting statements would normally lead to an inability to make a desicon, but oh wait, one is a book writen thousands of years ago in the desert by old men and the other is a principle of logic that cant be denied. So unless you can go out and find a rock so heavy that no one can lift it (even G.od ;P) I will listen to your silly little story about how the world was created, but untill then I will just try and help the world understand that there is no man sitting up in the clouds waiting for you to die. If god can do anything why dosnt he just kill anyone who sins as soon as they do it? That would be way easier than letting them spread there heretic ideals and Saint Peter could have a day or two off. Oh and about the unicorn, it isnt out of the realm of possiblity that some one could mess with the genes of a horse and a narhwal to create what looks like a unicorn. I would personally give it about five years before some one does it, and if no one does I guess I will.

Dreamboat said...
on Jun. 18 2011 at 10:52 pm
Dreamboat, Madison, Wisconsin
0 articles 0 photos 62 comments

Favorite Quote:
My name is Indigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.

If god exists, and this is a big if, I almost hesitate to use the word, why would he punnish those who try to seek the truth and teach the truth to others? On the other hand if god is so omnipotent why would he create silly little people like me to question you about your silly beliefs? Also If god is really omnipotent, can he create a rock which he can not lift? And don't just give a reckless answer, think about it. Omnipotents is a self-defeating principle. In a world where god really does exist the laws of physics and logic would allow such a being to be, but in this world, the one we live in, and die in the laws that we created don't.

Kratos said...
on Jun. 15 2011 at 7:37 am
You know what I think of you, a silly little child saying silly ridiculous little things. Go.d will have no place for you in heaven with that attitude.

Dreamboat said...
on Jun. 13 2011 at 5:42 pm
Dreamboat, Madison, Wisconsin
0 articles 0 photos 62 comments

Favorite Quote:
My name is Indigo Montoya, you killed my father, prepare to die.

Why sould a theory (evolution) be tought on the same level and with the same attention as the story of creationism?