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AN EVOLVING DEBATE
Can Evolution and Creationism Coexist in the Science Classroom? May 8, 1998 |
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Questions asked
in this forum:
Why is the faith of one group given prominence over the other? Can science and religion coexist in people's minds? How does teaching creation or evolution help people? Why should a high school science class be burdened with teaching creationism? Which version of creation should be taught, if any? What academic credentials would qualify one to teach an unbiased Evolution vs. Creationism class in public school? Additional Comments... 
A question from Robert Traxler of Panama City, FL: How does teaching evolution help people? How does teaching creationism help people?
Dr. Donald Kennedy, chair of the panel that authored the new guidelines, responds:
Teaching evolution helps people understand the diversity of biological systems and their unity at the cellular and molecular level -- two of the real mysteries about how life is organized on Earth. Teaching creationism reinforces a rather literal interpretation of the Bible, which clearly helps some people maintain a religious committment. But -- in my opinion -- it doesn't belong in the classroom because it isn't science.
Dr. Carl Herbster, president of the American Association of Christian Schools, responds:
Teaching evolution has not helped people. It has harmed people by serving as the foundation of harmful philosophies such as Marxism, Humanism, Nazism, and the New Age Movement. Teaching creationism helps people to think that they have purpose in life and that they are accountable to an infinite Creator.
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