One Good Reason

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Can anyone, anywhere, give me one good reason why Creationism / Intelligent Design should be taught in science classes in public schools?I'm seeing this debate popping up all over the place in America, how is it even a debate? I live in a very traditionally religious country, yet nothing like that is ever discussed. How can you see yourselves as an intelligent nation when something as stupid as this is taken so far?Somebody please answer that first question.

I'm gonna be honest. I can't think of ANY good reasons to. Science class is about the scientific method; observing, hypothesizing, experimenting, etc. In my opinion, Creationism and ID have no place in Science class.

Yes, and have you noticed that its Americans who are doing it? e.g. Ken Ham of Genesis First based in Kentucky. LINK

Every world problem? Not quite. I come here to talk about American issues (such as Creationism in schools) because this forum is populated mostly by Americans. When I want to talk about Bertie Ahern's back-handed dealings, I go to an Irish forum.

The debate about Creationism in schools doesn't really exist in Ireland and, as is said in your quote, it is only beginning to pop up in Europe. In America the debate has been going on for quite a while so it seems only reasonable to associate it with the States, and also to discuss the "problem" in America as it has had the most developments in the matter.

I also appreciate you greatly, but you must stop confusing anti-Americanism with anti-ignorance.

there is no reason at all to teach religion in science class. Just like there's no reason to teach math in english class.Fortunatly, "intellegent design" hasn't reared it's ugly head in any significant form in Canada.

Quote: How many countries have problems with Neo-Nazi groups?If we all blamed Germany for these extremist groups, I'm sure Germany would get plenty tired of it, as wellthat's probably not the best analogy. Germany is very sensitive to neonazism and it certainly isn't taught in schools.It may be inflamatory to dump on America regarding this issue but the very blurry line between church and state in the US is rather unique among modern, free and developed countries.

"how many schools" is a good questionas with any vocal minority, the impression that's given is that it's fairly common, at least in the bible belt.

GWB is viewd as a moron by a vast majority of the world's population

Originally Posted By: bobaliciousCan anyone, anywhere, give me one good reason why Creationism / Intelligent Design should be taught in science classes in public schools?I could, but we all know what that would lead to. Same thing it leads to every time you or someone else brings up this same tired topic. Really Bob, you've been around long enough to know that there is nothing new that will be said in this thread and that it will completely devolve into something less than amicable. Makes me wonder what the reason for starting the thread is.That being said, I'll stay out of it and let others dance in this glass shard infested playground.Oh...the founder of the creation museum here in Kentucky...if I'm not mistaken he's not from the U.S. He's either British or Australian. Intelligent Design is not a uniquely American belief.

In the picture? No.

hey Damien
this is a good debate. It's more about waht the "system" teaches to all our children.
tell me, do you believe in "intellegent design"?

Originally Posted By: unsupervisedhey Damienthis is a good debate.I don't doubt it's a good debate to have. I just feel like it's been had...and had...and had...Although, despite the tediousness of the multiple religion threads that pop up, there have actually been a couple of them recently that ended up being civil and informative. Maybe this will be that. Quote:tell me, do you believe in "intellegent design"? Once again, this will surprise no one: yes, I do.

The U.S. is truly a bizarre place in a lot of ways Bob. On the one hand it has been the leading innovator in science and techonology for decades (though that may be changing). And then, at the same time, it's not just intelligent design. The studies that have been done on the percentage of Americans that believe in astrology, psychic phenomenon, alien visitations, ghosts, and all sorts of paranormal things are mind boggeling. More and more the U.S. seems to me like two different parallel countries. The odd contradiction is shown in the contrast between the incredible scientific accomplishments in this country versus the scientific ignorance of the average American which seems to be, if anything, growing.I, for one, am well aware of how subjects like this make America a laughing stock to Europeans.

Believing in it is fine. But the question is whether it should be taught in _science_ classes?

Intelligent design, whether one believes it or not, has no scientific merit because scientific principal can not be applied to it. It is for this reason that in many of the places that Intelligent design has been tried, it has been thrown out when tested in court.Here are a couple of really good links. Nova If you want to watch the whole episode go here. I think it would be enlightening to someone standing on either side of the debate. It is perhaps the most succinct presentation of the issues I've seen. I'm sure however some will dismiss it because of it's production by PBS.Whatever anyone believes about intelligent design is beside the point, the reality of the matter is that it doesn't live up to the scientific standard as a scientific theory.

In some rural Kansas towns it was still being taught as of a year ago. I would imagine in many smaller school district in smaller towns it is taught by the school even if not in the text book. Even in small towns where a good portion of the people don't "buy it" as science, they aren't going to say anything. It gets back to the old proverb of not shitting where you have to eat... or something like that.I would imagine it's teaching, though not officially sanctioned, is more wide spread than it first appears. At least going by the anecdotal evidence I see in the small schools around here... but remember I'm in Oklahoma where global warming is just a hoax by the liberal media.To bob, it's kept out of the books here. To Rad, it's probably taught, in the classroom, a lot more than you think, especially in the smaller communities.

Originally Posted By: Radeckl Originally Posted By: ThoughtfulBelieving in it is fine. But the question is whether it should be taught in science classes? I'm not sure I understand you.If you believe it, why wouldn't you want it taught? I meant that I wouldn't want it taught in science classes, because it isn't science. There are other disciplines where it might be appropriately discussed. I don't belieive in it myself, by the way.

Well, I don't know if this matters to anyone, but I went to catholic schools and we learned about Intelligent Design/Creationism in religion class. Not science class. I don't know why they would teach it in public schools, but I don't really see what the big deal is anyway. Even though I went to catholic schools, we still learned about other religions and cultures. Why can't public schools be exposed to other ideas?

As long as it isn't presented in science class there is not problem.
I can't really remember whether it was the local bishop here or some higher church official that decreed intelligent design would not be a part of any science class in Catholic schools under his purview. His reasoning basically was to render to God what is Gods and to Cesar what is Cesar's. I think he also said that intelligent design, as science, was ultimately trying to humanize the divine and thereby erroneously claim to know the mind of God, something no human can do.
Maybe it was a Vatican edict, under Joe Paul II... I really can't remember. I think it was local though or at least claim from an American Cardinal. I really can't remember.

That's what I meant.Religion, social studies, debate or current events (if that's still a class)... fine. Just don't present it as something adhering to the scientific method.