Creationism in science class

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The teaching of creationism in schools is a controversial topic. Many proponents of creationism, primarily Christians, have argued that creationism ought to be taught alongside the mainstream scientific account of natural history in school science classes. They argue that it is only fair that all accounts are treated equally. Many religious parents feel that the authority of their beliefs are being undermined by the exclusive teaching of scientific accounts which disagree with their faith systems.

The scientific community, the government and the majority of parents in the UK are against the teaching of creationism in school science, preferring it to be examined in Religious Studies classes. In the US, the topic is more controversial, with the majority of the population being Christian and almost half attending church, and religion having a stronger influence on politics.

What's your opinion? Is it unfair to only teach the mainstream scientific account and leave out alternative theories? Or is creationism unscientific and unsuitable for science class?

I was reading somewhere that creationism being taught in schools is more popular here than any other western country, because of our 'liberal' idea's on other cultures we support creationism being taught in Muslim schools to encourage them to keep their separate identity.

I think it should be taught, but in RE class, alongside every other religious creation theories.

As I was going to say that +1

Faith schools and state schools are are different issue altogether.

I don't think we should be encouraging seperation or division of any kind.

Nor me, in the west coast it was odd. I was asked once whether I went to a Catholic school or a Protestant school. I insisted I went to a state school, he insisted that it was a Protestant school.

Taig bastard.

Then please vote 'no'. I'd like as many responders as possible.

Orite, didn't see the science bit

Yeah, the writing above polls is hard to make out because of the crap colour scheme. I'm taking it up with the management!

I was taught it alongside natural selection in science lessons. I saw no problem with that as it was just another theory about the existence of the universe. I can see why some may feel that it's wrong to put something that is not empirically known to be true in a science lesson though.

I'm not too sure really.

The thing is that evolution by natural selection is, firstly, not he only theory about natural history that contradicts the Bible, and secondly, it is verified by empirical evidence whereas creationism is not. They are both theories, but that doesn't mean they automatically have equal worth.

Yeah that's true, but it was easy to be able to make judgements about the theories if you were taught them side by side. As long as the teacher never says that there is any scientific truth to creationism, I don't see the problem. Although perhaps both may be better off taught in an RE lesson, I don't know. But I do think that there isn't anything necessarily wrong with teaching both ideas side by side so you can see clearly and make your own judgement.

Would you object to the teaching of the Sumerian creation story in science classes? The cosmic battle between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu?

Wait, you were genuinely taught creationism as a scientific theory? Like seriously?

Creationism isn't a scientific theory, it is a story, I didn't know they actually taught kids in science creationism as a possibility. We were only taught it in RMPS at my school, and even in that we were taught that even from a Christian perspective it was wrong.

Well maybe not in science classes on but RS then by all means. I think the Christian creation story is only in science lessons over here because the UK is still a predominantly Christian country (more or less) and some teachers might not want to tell them any one thing is true for fear of children or parents becoming offended. I think if it were to be gone over very briefly in a science lesson then that's fine to compare it with natural selection.big bang/whatever, but to go in depth on any of the religious aspects it would be more preferential to cover it in RS.

I didn't really think it would be that much of an issue really.