- NEW!
by Im Alec has abandoned this account on November 14th, 2006
Religions all involve faith for which, at the bottom, there is no empirical evidence. God may have revealed him/her/itself to you, which is vary nice for you, but you cannot transmit that faith to anyone else.
Evolution is based on a very large heap of empirical evidence. Fossils etc are available for examination, ant the factual evidence for evolution can be taught. The evidence for Theory of Evolution is as strong as the evidence for the Theory of Gravity, and actually quite a lot stronger than some fields of science such as aerodynamics.
Incidentally, a lot of Christians have no problem with Evolution. I assume that you are part of the Literal Truth branch of Christianity, which believes that every word of the bible is the exact truth. In which case I hope you don't eat pork.
by Prunesquallor on May 28th, 2008
If you bothered to learn enough about evolution to know that it doesn't say that humans came from apes, then perhaps your view might be different.
To argue from a position of knowledge gives you the strength to know that even if people disgree with you, they at least should respect you. To argue from a position of ignorance reflects badly on you.
by randomness - is now a Maestro on May 28th, 2008
Oh dear....
Alright, well, here goes.
I totally agree with you!! Why the hell are we teaching children logic, and scientifically proven facts when we could be teaching them about how an omnipotent being created a man from dirt and then created a woman made of ribs. Then we can teach them about how the rib-woman got tricked into eating cursed fruit by a talking snake!! And of course, this all happened about 6000 years ago!! Why trust carbon dating when we've got the guesstimates of some Bronze-age tribesmen sitting in a tent trying to figure out how old the world is?! Seriously, the education system is WHACKED!!
And anyways, there is plenty of proof for all of this in the Bible!! The only proof for Evolution is the painstaking research of thousands upon thousands of scientists... pfft...
by imortal on August 2nd, 2009
i love americans, you can always count on them to entertain you
by Friendo on August 2nd, 2009
It's called separation of church and state. The teaching of evolution is science, based on empirical evidence. If you don't want to learn it, go ahead and fail the class and be a dumbass, nobody cares. Religion is based on faith. The teaching of religion belongs in religious institutions, not public schools. You live in a country in which you are free to believe what you will and encourages religious institutions of all kinds to thrive and teach to their followers. If you want to live in a theocracy, move to Iran!
by Captain Birdseye on November 14th, 2006
Evolution is a theory that is just as sound as any other theory about how mankind got to be here.
You can believe that God made us and put us here, or you can believe that alien's helped genetically engineer us, but that would just be silly, wouldn't it? lol.
You can also believe that humans came from another planet and colonised this one, because their own planet was no longer habitable, possibly due to climate change.
You can believe whatever you want, you will find a way to justify it to yourself.
I think schools teach evolution because it is backed up by science, and science encourages people to question and study and ask questions like why?.
Religion doe's not encourage people to question, rather encourage people to 'don't question, have faith'.
The purpose of a good education system should be to teach young people how to question and to think, not to 'don't question and don't think, just have faith in what you're told', which is the religious viewpoint, at least from the dogmatically religious.
Whether you believe in it or not is not the point. If we wish our children to grow up as free thinking individuals that are not afraid to question the old way of doing it, then lets teach science that encourages free thinking. If you wan't your children to believe everything their told, just because halleluyah? Then teach them what you like, that's your prerogative, but don't expect me to have my kids (which I don't have yet) follow your kids into brainwashing classes.
EDIT- luv4cs- In the UK, we were taught about ALL religions as well as evolution, at least they did at the high school I went to. I found it far more inspirational and thought provoking than the Primary School attitude- 'because God made it'.
by Anonymous on September 4th, 2009
Why do schools teach that insects have six legs? It says here in my holy book that insects have four. I do not understand why they teach that about insects. I do not believe that insects have 6 legs and I do not want schools to teach it.
Or;
Why do schools teach that the earth is a sphere? I myself am an idiot and i do not understand why they teach this. I don't believe all the stuff about people NOT falling of the edge of the earth and I do not want them to teach it.
Or;
Why do schools teach something I do not understand? I myself am a christian that does not (want to) understand evolution and it's conclusions. All the stuff about HUMANS SHARING A COMMON ANCESTOR with apes I do not (want to) understand and I do not want them to teach it.
My real answer; your a religiot. (yes, that means you are a religious idiot). Blame your parents, they are the religiots that made you into one.
by AbbeyNormal on September 2nd, 2009
Because evolution is a scientifically accepted fact, just as much as gravity. School is where you learn facts. If you want to learn religion, you go to church. Nobody comes into your church and tries to teach about evolution, so you shouldn't try to force schools to teach your religion.
by Yulechka on August 18th, 2009
They teach evolution, because it is a central concept of biology, it's just like any other theories (theory of magnetic field, gravitation theory, continental drift theory and so on, and so on). And please, lets discriminate an everyday use of the word "theory", which usually means one's guess (hypothesis), and a scientific theory - a large chunk of systematized knowledge, that explains a number of phenomena and predicts new ones.
I think teaching about religions is a wonderful idea, but it should be taught in the course of art.
by Rachel on September 12th, 2007
Evolution is actually a proven fact as well as a theory. It does not just have to do with humans descending from apes. It basically tries to explain where life developed from. An example of evolution is as simple as bacteria that are immune to antibiotics or insects that are immune to pesticides. These animals are adapting to their environment in order to survive. As for humans dexcending from apes, well we share about 99 percent of our DNA with Chimpanzees and we have the same amount of cytochrome C. Evolution is a proven fact, it's not just something that you can choose not to believe because it is happening even today.
by RustyShackleford on September 4th, 2009
Schools teach evolution because because you're supposed to teach science in science class.
It doesn't matter if you believe it or not. It's still true, and should be taught if schools are even going to pretend that they care about teaching kids how the natural world works.
by ConservativelyLiberal on May 22nd, 2009
Send your kids to a private school, that'll fill their heads with all your bullsh!t religious garbage. Why should my child have your religion forced down his throat?
by Aquatic Eagle on September 4th, 2009
Schools teach evolution for the same reason they teach algebra, history, chemistry, etc. Evolution is not a belief or religion and to think otherwise is to show your ignorance of the subject. Who cares what you want taught? School is about teaching knowledge to children not teaching what some religious fanatics want taught to children. Some people don't believe the Holocaust happened so should we not teach it because of that small stupid minority?
by artguy on August 13th, 2008
because evolution is science, not religion and not based on faith. religion is legal to be taught in school in a comparative religion course. but they can't teach any single religion. there are thousands of religions and even more when broken up into denominations, there is absolutely no fair way to teach all of them to each child in a public school setting. there simply isn't enough time, money or teachers to do it to make everyone happy so it's best to have no religion at all.
by 23Skidoo on September 18th, 2009
Evolution is a science, not a religion. As such it's perfectly appropriate that it be taught in science class.
Luckily, you opinion isn't the deciding factor.
+5
by subtlesledgehammer on May 28th, 2008
Has it ever occurred to any of you who vociferously deny that which is scientifically credible that, perhaps, a higher being "created" Evolution?
by anonymous on September 12th, 2007
Ignorance is bliss isn't it??
But if you want to make an educated opinion you need to learn all you can about both sides.
You don't believe man descended from apes, thats Ok but why???
Educate yourself before you make such important statements.
Also you have no right to stop other people from teaching and learning just because you don't believe its so.
by Gabriella on November 14th, 2006
Obviously humans didn't come from apes. (If they did, there would be no apes). I didn't know evolution was considered a religion. Anyway evolution is the only thing that has proof like fossils. If you don't believe it, that's totally your choice. If you don't want them to teach it, that's not your choice and you can't change it. I'm in year 8 in Australia and I've never been taught evolution at school. I have however been taught about God (who I do not believe in) when I was in primary school. I don't think it's fair teaching such young children about something that may or may not exist. It's different at every school and whether you like it or not children are going to be taught different things about how we came to exist. So not ALL schools teach evolution and not ALL schools don't teach one belief or religion.
Please don't rate me down just because I said I don't believe in God.
by josie III on September 4th, 2009
They teach it because it is true, proven by science. Humans did not come from apes by the way. Humans and apes have a common ancestor
by Mushen on September 4th, 2009
They teach it because that is what happened.
by Anonymous on August 18th, 2009
Evolution has nothing to do with religion.
I'm sure you'd be fine if they "taught" religion, but there needs to be separation of church and state.
by mamassage on July 25th, 2009
Because Evolution is a scientific theory. And no, a theory is not a guess - that would be a hypothesis. A scientific theory does two things:
1. it identifies a set of distinct observations as a class of phenomena, and
2. makes assertions about the underlying reality that brings about or affects this class.
Notice the word assertion, not assumption. Theories are based upon evidence.
On the other hand creationism is based upon belief in some mystical being who supposedly created us for its own entertainment. This would most likely belong in a philosophy, or other humanities, course. It is absolutely not scientific as it can neither be proven or disproven.
by 23Skidoo on May 22nd, 2009
Evolution isn't religion - whatever anyone may think.
And science isn't really subject to belief. Sure there is some faith involved but science is the process of reducing the amount of faith necessary to a minimum.
The fact that you categories evolution as "humans came from apes" proves that there isn't enough education on evolution- since that statement is inaccurate. You have every right to believe in anything you want - but to disagree with something you need to understand it - and that means learning about it.
For instance, I am unable to agree or disagree with the sermon given last week in your church since I don't know what was said. In exactly the same way you are obviously unqualified to have any opinion at all about evolution since you don't know what it says. So, you can't possibly know if you agree or not (it's not subject to belief - as a science).
But finally, education isn't about what students want to learn. It's about wiser people telling students what they will learn to be useful, educated members of society. If they could pick and choose we'd have about 3% of graduates being able to do any math, read, know history...
+5
by TheJoker on May 22nd, 2009
Basically Evolution is taught because the alternative theories can be blown out of the water with merely a smattering of scientific & philosophical knowledge. While Evolution also has some flaws it's the best we've got.... so far.
by Time Lord on May 28th, 2008
I go to a Catholic school (in the U.K) and they absolutely refuse to teach evolution. I think they should, but that's just my own belief.
by djb1969 on November 29th, 2006
A little food for thought on this issue that could be debated until one is blue in the face. Evolution is a theory, which has been widely accepted. It is though just a theory with science as its proof. This I agree on. What I wonder is the assumption that we came from apes because our dna is extremely close to that of apes. Is it not possible that if we did "evolve" from another species that, that species no longer exists. Animals had become extinct at an alarming rate. If we evolve, it would be likely that what we were once no longer exists at all. I think Christians and non-Christians should learn about the 'evolution theory' but not as 100% fact but as a theory. A theory can be challenged (as it should be). But to claim it as an undisputed fact is not in the best interest of students. Students should feel comfortable to challenge theories. That is the true 'evolution' of humans.
by Shaunocerous on November 14th, 2006
Schools teach evolution because they are ignorant.
I am a Christian too and as commented on I strongly believe that if you believe in evolution as an interspecies transition then you are not a christian. Christians do however believe in evolution as in technology evolving from a room-computer to a handheld-computer.
The principle of evolution is based on the "survival of the fittest" theory. Either adapt or die. If this were true then (a great point I read in a Jehovahs witness book on evolution vs creation)(Note: Im not a Jehovahs Witness) if a creature in a pond millions of years ago was just floating around and wanted to evolve. What purpose would a semi-formed eye have until it is fully formed? an eye would be nothing until it has all is nerves and bit to make it an eye. Evolution happens over 100s of years . .. thats a long time to have something serve no purpose until its finished. The theory behind evolution is that a "limb" always serves a purpose. But the use improves. The problem with fossils is that the fossil records are all missing during the important changes of a species . . . its funny that there arent any half formed species recorded in fossils . .. all fossil records are complete and individual records of a specific species . . . there are no records of a species caught during this transition period.
Another thought for evolutionists . . . A tree is made up of molecules that move around. If you take that tree and cut it up and make a coffee table, that coffee table still is made up of the same molecules the tree was made from . . . except, the molecules arent moving. What may I ask, is the thing that makes molecules move when its alive and not move when its dead . . . Its Spirit maybe?!!
This said, Truth is truth. I believe in a God who is truth . . . Therefore His truths will agree with our truths . . . (Not truths like the world is flat - but real truths not theories)
With this in mind I love Scientific truths (NOT THEORIES) Because TRUE SCIENCE WILL ALWAYS AGREE WITH TRUE RELIGION.
The more scientific truths are discovered the more it proves that miracles and events really happened as recorded in the scriptures. The only problem now is that a miracle only appears to be miracle until we understand how they are done. Its not that it ceases to be such, its just our perception or understanding has now altered. Eg if you flicked a light switch in the 1800s you would have been burned at the stake, If you were lucky they may have called it a miracle. But now everyone does it so we take that miracle for granted . . . Its still a miracle though . . . we just have a better understanding of how it works. God has always known how it works and has been using His sciences since the beginning of creation.
God created the universe and everything in it. He is the greatest Scientist ever. He uses "science" to create miracles. That is why True science can show how miracles in the Bible could have happened.
The purpose of life and the key to eternal life is to know God. To understand Him and come to know our relationship to him.
Evolution destroys this purpose because it prevents you from the knowledge that you are literally Gods children created in His image. It deminishes your potential because as a evolutionist you're content with who you are now because you were a monkey and anything else is an improvement. While as a Christian you know you are God's child and as promised in the scriptures and as whispered to your heart by the Holy Ghost, you are joint heirs with God if you obey the laws that He has set for this earth life. You have the ability to become as He is and recieve all that He has.
So . . . that said . . . with which belief do you feel you have more to loose if you reject it. Me personally Id rather try to be a Child of God and be disappointed about having really only been a monkey previously than finding out God was waiting for me to come home and I just carried on playing in the trees instead :)
by Bob on September 18th, 2009
i'm an artist and i don't believe in mathematics! schools shouldn't be teaching my kids math! i don't want them to teach it!
by Wynper on September 18th, 2009
The poster ought to take a few science classes as he or she clearly has an overly simplistic view of evolution.
Evolution is not a religion or a belief but a science.
Perhaps the poster should also consider a few other classes as well.
by His Lordship... has left on September 18th, 2009
Schools teach science not fantasy.
by Teresa on September 18th, 2009
Schools teach evolution while claiming not to teach any one belief or religion because science is not a belief or religion: it's a methodology for examining the world, and evolution is a theory about the world which has arisen from this examination.
That's not to say belief doesn't come into it, because belief in the findings of science is predicated on the belief in science's ability to reveal Truth about the universe. If you don't believe in science's ability to reveal Truth, you won't believe that anything science does reveal is True.
This is a question of epistemology, and no matter what some people say, ultimately, no one can Know whether the information revealed through science is True or not. It could very well be that everything science tells us is an illusion.
But to believe that is to make a fundamental statement about your engagement in the world. If the information which our eyes, ears, noses, fingers, and tongues tell us, and which our brains (independently and in collaboration) process for us, is illusory, well, how do you know what is True? What resources do you rely on to guide you through life?
Considering our socio-economic/political structures are based on the premise that science can reveal Truth, why bother engaging with society at all if you don't agree with this premise? Why not be a hermit or join an isolated religious order?
by MrJosh on September 18th, 2009
Schools teach evolution because it is a scientific theory on par with the Theory of Gravity and the Germ Theory of Disease. Evolution happened, and is happening. All evolutionary biologists may not agree on the details, but I think you would be hard pressed to find any experts on the subject that claim that it didn't happen at all.
by CaptainHarley adores his life penguin on September 18th, 2009
ONE ... MORE ... TIME!
Evolution is fact, not emotion, not fiction, not theory, not "belief!" There is NO conflict between belief in God and acceptance of evolution as fact. If God wants to use evolution to accomplish his purporses for life, who is ANYONE to tell him he can't do it?
Evolution does NOT teach that humans came from apes! I am a Christian and yet I study evolution, cosmology, biology, genetics and anything else interesting to me. You should too. God has made us a wonderful place here on this planet, and we owe it to him to learn as much about his creation as we can. "Study to show yourself approved of God." - The Bible
by themyelinsheath on September 4th, 2009
Evolution is Science, not a belief or a religion. Who gives a shit if you're chrisian, or what you believe or what you want them to teach? You have absolutely no evidence for your beliefs so stop acing like you come from a place of moral superioriy.
by Catherine on September 4th, 2009
Then go teach in a Catholic School..thats your best bet, but what you can say is, if we evolved from Apes, why are there still apes roaming africa, how come that species is still around..
by TheJoker on September 4th, 2009
Everyone's entitled to be wrong!
by Twista on August 10th, 2009
Religion is not a science but a soul's desire.
by katydid15 on May 22nd, 2009
Just because you don't believe it, doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot of scientific merit.
by somewhat_anonymous on May 28th, 2008
im in college. the biology class i took in high school was taught by a christian teacher. and all of the science classes i have taken so far that dealt with evolution the teacher stated in the very beginning that you dont have to believe it, but its good to at least be educated about what you are arguing against. so that you actually have an argument against it and youre not just saying "i dont believe all that stuff that humans came from apes they shouldnt teach it" so its not like teachers forcing evolution down students throats. and by the age that they are teaching evolution, the students are already able to decide what they want to believe, so all you can do is expose them to all the possibilities.
by DA BEN DAN yanggui zi on September 12th, 2007
Being taught about something and understanding it are completely different that believing something. I don't believe in slavery, or the lack of women's rights earlier, or many other things...but I think it is vitally important to know both sides of an issue before you can criticize it.
by The_Bunny_Lord on February 13th, 2007
I dont know how people have the idea that there is no proof for creation, another failure of the school system I suppose.
I dont have time to write anything on the subject so I will just leave you with a few websites.
http://www.answersingenesis.org/
http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/
by Thomas_Edison .. oh so sexy on November 29th, 2006
everytime a scientist tries to prove evolution right they end up proving it wrong. Give me a scientist who has all the real proof to convince me that evolution is true and I will throw up in his face. The bible is the only thing correct and so many politicians dont believe in it so they create a stupid rule for us kids to have to learn a confusing fairy tale when we could be outside lying on the grass. Which my school doesnt actually let me do.....
by luv4cs on November 29th, 2006
well i dont belive that people came from apes if they did how did we change to look like we do know
by fusodjf on February 11th, 2011
First of all evolution does not say that we came from apes, it says that we developed alongside apes from a common ancestor. You should really have an understanding of something before you decide that you don't like or agree with it. Secondly, evolution is based in the scientific method which is congruent with science courses in school. It is based on scientific data and theory that is actually very well established and explained. Religious belief, on the other hand, is completely based on faith. And schools do not teach faith, they teach facts which are based off of observation of the natural world, not belief in what can not be understood, rationalized, or proven.
by flora on July 22nd, 2010
1) Evolution is not "stuff that humans came from apes", we share a common ancestor with apes, meaning that we are more like cousins than parent and child. Perhaps you would "uderstand" why evolution is taught, if you understood the theory of evolution itself. Perhaps you have not been taught evolution? It doesn't sound like you have...
2) Schools need teach evolution because evolution is widely regarded as scientific fact, in the same way that schools need to teach about the theory of gravity etc. We cannot have schools brainwashing children to believe theories based on religion, as the only "evidence" to support, say, Christianity, is the writings in the Bible. I do not mean to offend you, or any other followers of your religion, but to the majority of the world's population, the Bible is just a book. Nothing more. Not evidence supporting Christianity, or anything. In suppot of evolution, there is fossil evidence showing that species have evolved, there is carbon-dating, tree-rings and radioactive clocks to prove the age of the Earth. Can we really be paying people to lie to our children, telling them that everything has remained unchanged for 4.6 billion years, because god has put us here? Yes, the theory of evolution is only a theory, but it has not been, and I expect it never to be, disproved. The theory of gravity is also just a theory, and I challenge you to disprove gravity. Evolution is just as real as gravity, and therefore it should be taught to be so.
3) It seems to me that you are suggesting that the theory of evolution is no more than a religion. Perhaps I have misunderstood you. Evolution is not an attempt to explain the unexplainable, such as the meaning of life. Evolution describes nature. What harm can teaching children about nature do?
by curious_tom on June 30th, 2010
i think its because evolution is researched theory but religion is simply beleif
by dk2852 on February 17th, 2010
Humans didn't come from apes, we ARE apes, Great Apes to be exact. And yes we did evolve from apes as well, apes which are now extinct. A lot of people don't understand what an Ape is, an ape is any creature which belong to the group Hominadae, including Humans. Evolutionary theory is taught in most science classes because science is not a religion or belief, it is based on evidence, and right now there is no evidence for God, but plenty of evidence for evolution.
by pukesniff on February 14th, 2010
evolution is a not religion nor belief
it's a scientific theory based on studies
concerning human origins.
why should anyone be deprive of any common knowledge
just because some christian is so narrow to expand
their verge of sense.
by jameswalker4987 on January 10th, 2010
Evolution has been as good as proven. It is not a "theory". It is a fact, so why shouldn't it be taught in schools?
by rorschach42 on December 20th, 2009
Evolution does not say we came from apes. It says that apes and humans have similar ancestors. Also, it is important to learn about others beleifs before you can criticise them.
Will an empty gas tank explode at freezing temperatures?
by Answerbag Staff on March 2nd, 2011
| 1 person likes this
What do blood pressure readings represent?
by Answerbag Staff on March 2nd, 2011
| 1 person likes this
Which artery is the site for blood pressure?
by Answerbag Staff on March 2nd, 2011
| 1 person likes this
what do you think will happen when chance Takor tries to hang glide off mount Pompus?
by Jasmine_S4433 on November 9th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
When sulfuric acid is added to ordinary table sugar (sucrose), C12H22O11,....
by AdrnnLopez06 on October 27th, 2011
| 1 person likes this
You're reading Why do schools teach evolution, but say we do not teach any one belief or religion. i myself am christian, and i do not uderstand why they teach evolution. all the stuff that humans came from apes, i dont belive it and i dont want them to teach it.
Your favorite Q&A site is on Facebook! Become a fan to connect with the ever-growing community of Answerbaggers, share your thoughts and find out what Answerbag's up to next!
Comments
This is the dummest answer ever. You cannot be a True Christian and believe in Evolution. God created man as a man . . . he didnt create a "monkey" that became a man!! Obviously you dont read the Bible at all. Put down Darwins text book for a wh
by Shaunocerous on November 14th, 2006
Good sensible answer, but probably not to the dogmatic Christian.
by Captain Birdseye on November 14th, 2006
I wish to God I had some rating points left.
by Stableboy on November 14th, 2006
Many people call themselves True Christians and still believe in Evolution. Such people base their beliefs on the word of Jesus as taught in the New Testament, and treat the Old Testament metaphorically - especially the early bits. I am not a Christian.
by Im Alec has abandoned this account on November 14th, 2006
Not eating pork was a part of the law of Moses which was fulfilled through Christ (Christ brought a higher law)and no longer applies. Just so you're informed :)
by Shaunocerous on November 29th, 2006
i dont really care about evolution and im not gonna start fighting to tel people to belive in something they dont
but why do they teach evolution in schools
they say we dont teach anyone religion or belief but they only teach evolution why dont they teach all of it
by luv4cs on November 30th, 2006
Sorry to interupt, but about the pork eating comment - apparently the Bible also forbids the eating of chameleons. I wouldn't know that, seeings as I've not read the Bible, and I'm probably about to be corrected, but I found that 'fact' mildly amusing.
by Time Lord on May 29th, 2008
....
by Max Power on May 22nd, 2009
What's the definition of "true Christian"? Is it the ones that believe that Jesus rode the dinosaurs or the ones that don't believe he rode the dinosaurs?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/bar-art/414998399/
Taken from a Beginner's Bible Coloring Book.
by Hayzen on September 18th, 2009
Believer.
Fanatic.
What differentiates them ?
Common sense!
I think I saw Jesus on a velociraptor once.
by BlackTomcat on December 5th, 2009