In an article by Robert King for the Indy Star entitled Evolution debate may play out in schools, we see an excellent common sense approach to the hot-button evolution issue:
When some residents in Columbus petitioned the School Board three years ago to give the Bible’s creation account equal time with evolution, school officials came up with a novel response.
They created a new class — under the heading of social studies — that examines all the theories on human origins. Not only did the class cover evolution and creationism, it also surveyed Navajo beliefs, the Hindu creation story and a host of other perspectives.
. . .
Such a quiet resolution is unusual in this red-hot front in the culture war. The debate has been re-energized by President Bush’s recent remark that public schools — now almost exclusively the turf of Charles Darwin and evolutionary theory — should also teach “intelligent design.”
I don’t believe the objection has ever been that the theory of evolution, as presently constituted, is infallible; or that kids should never hear other ideas about human origins. The problem is that the theory of evolution is based on scientific observation. The others are not. It is therefore appropriate to teach evolution as the best scientific explanation we have to date. With respect to religious explanations, the problem is with giving the Genesis story, creationism, or Intelligent Design pride of place. To my knowledge, there is no reason for giving these explanations any preference over the story that has the earth riding on the backs of turtles or whatnot.
The article goes on to tell us that things may not have such a smooth resolution at Hamilton Southeastern in Fishers. A man motivated by his faith who thinks evolution is evidence of “the influence of atheism and immorality” in public schools wants a “balanced and nonpartisan” approach to human origins. A balanced and nonpartisan approach to science? Ridiculous. If those motivated by faith had a driving belief that gravity didn’t exist, we were merely held to the ground by God’s will, would schools have an obligation to present a “balanced and nonpartisan” case against the theory of gravity in science classes? Nope.
So, I prefer the Columbus approach. Hopefully, if necessary, Hamilton Southeastern can implement a similar solution.
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