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The current uproar over Evolution vs. Intelligent Design really puzzles me. When I was a preteen in Newport News, Va.(1967-68), my seventh grade science teacher had to instruct the class on this very subject. She, however; asked each student to go home and read the first chapter of the bible (Genesis) and give careful consideration of what was stated therein. The next day she began giving instuction on the "theory" of evolution.
In giving her students this option, she did more for the students than any amount of debating would ever have been able to accomplish. Each student was given the encouragement to make up his/her own mind without fear of ostracism. I truly believe that this is the most beneficial way of introducing this required subject to the students of today also. Of course, with the diverse religious make up of todays classrooms, this would have to be broadened to include all of the sacred books of these religous groups. Still, the main point to be made here is that independant thought and religous belief should be allowed when teaching a theory in the classroom. Our children of today are no less intelligent than we were at the same tender ages a generation ago. Religion will always be taught in the home. We cannot circumvent this by attempting to teach a contradictory idea in the classroom.
In giving her students this option, she did more for the students than any amount of debating would ever have been able to accomplish. Each student was given the encouragement to make up his/her own mind without fear of ostracism. I truly believe that this is the most beneficial way of introducing this required subject to the students of today also. Of course, with the diverse religious make up of todays classrooms, this would have to be broadened to include all of the sacred books of these religous groups. Still, the main point to be made here is that independant thought and religous belief should be allowed when teaching a theory in the classroom. Our children of today are no less intelligent than we were at the same tender ages a generation ago. Religion will always be taught in the home. We cannot circumvent this by attempting to teach a contradictory idea in the classroom.