Is+it+possible+to+teach+both?+Are+there+examples+of+this+being+done?+What+are+the+advantages+and+disadvantages?

Masci, David (1997). Evolution vs. Creationism. Retrieved November 14, 2010 from []

This scholarly paper is written with the idea that evolution has been proved. Throughout the paper they back up the idea using fossil records, genetics and other scientific disciplines. They also provide the solid point that there is no evidence to confirm the biblical creation story. The article goes a bit back and forth providing answers from people on both sides of the argument. The people who believe in creationism argue that the bible clearly explains creation and that life itself is too complex for it to have come about by natural evolution. Despite that, the evidence supports the idea of evolution. After reading this paper I noted two things. First, that if there is no evidence that supports creationism while there are numerous sources of evidence that support evolution, how can you say anything different than evolution happened. If there was a murder and all the evidence pointed to one person, our society will prosecute that person. Thats the way our system works. So if you have all this evidence, how can you just add in another possibility? It goes against our own basic principles. However, I did have another view on this paper and that was that perhaps life is a little too perfect to just have evolved to this point. Sometimes faith just steps in and tells you to believe in something. Who is anyone else to say that you have to pick one side? Doing so is essentially taking away the freedom of choice.

Marshall, Patrick (2001). Religion In Schools. Retrieved November 14, 2010 from []

This paper discuses the role religion plays in public schools. "In the past half-century, the U.S. Supreme Court has consistently ruled against religious observance in public schools, citing the First Amendment wall between church and state." (Marshall, 2001). Essentially the standpoint of this article is that religion is banned from schools yet liberals still say that conservatives are sneaking religion into public schools. Thats a pretty drastic accusation. However, conservatives are convincing schools around the country to post the Ten Commandments around the school and allow student-led prayers. This paper made me think a lot. I thought about how the students would feel. Obviously there is some debate to which students in the schools would want to participate in student-led prayers and acknowledge the Ten Commandments around the school. By allowing this though, there is a new group of people created and that is the group of people that disagree with this and don't want to participate in student-led prayers and don't want to see the Ten Commandments posted around their school. That is essentially dividing the student body which is already a problem. This problem could be avoided by providing options for students in the public schools. If they want to learn about creationism and participate in student led prayers then they can take a class about it. If they aren't interested then they don't have to take that class. They could alternate and take a class about evolution. Or better yet, why not give an option to take a class and learn about both sides of the argument?

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