Study: Most high school biology teachers don’t endorse evolution

[Jenn! 918]

I went to religious schools from 1st through college and beyond. I was never taught evolution.

I think it's appalling that you can get an education in this country without being taught evolution. I give my husband a hard time for not getting a proper science education in Morocco. I shouldn't forget that the U.S. is just as bad in some parts.

I went to Catholic elementary school, and like SOG, we were never taught creationism.

[Peikko 1,575]

Well, if it wasn't for literate Irish monks, the dark ages would have lasted much longer.

How the Irish Saved Civilization

So what? Technological advancement was only possible because of the people who challenged religious belief. The sun is NOT the center of the universe and man has NOT inhabited the earth for a mere 5,000 years. The people who challenged these previously immutable ideas often paid dearly for their heresy, not a very proud moment in Catholic history.

People shouldn't assume that if someone is religious they can't excel at something like science. I grew up in Christian school, until college. I went to a community college then state university. So of course, I wasn't taught evolution in school except enough info to know what the differences are between creationism and evolution. I took the required amount of science classes in college my first two years, plus a couple extra biology classes because for a little while I considered majoring in biology. Whether someone learned evolution in high school doesn't mean they can't be very knowledgeable about everything we can see at the moment in biology. And when evolution questions were on test, I answered according to the theory of evolution. Me being a devote Christian teen/young adult would not have hampered my science goals. I ended up not majoring in bio because I got a little lazy. I always liked biology and also loved oceanography and probably should have stayed with one of them instead of what I picked. But I like what I picked too, though it was a very different area! (sociology)I like knowing how things work whether it's the human body or society and cultures.

Nobody assumes that. However, if you believe something unscientific such as creationism, that does challenge your ability to understand the science period, creationism is not a credible scientific theory, it's not even a scientific theory, it's just hogwash.

[Peikko 1,575]

I think it's appalling that you can get an education in this country without being taught evolution. I give my husband a hard time for not getting a proper science education in Morocco. I shouldn't forget that the U.S. is just as bad in some parts.

I went to Catholic elementary school, and like SOG, we were never taught creationism.

No kidding. It's not just some airy fairy theory that hasn't been tested, it's been tested again and again and found to fit all observable phenomena, including microbiology that didn't even exist when the theory was proposed.

[^_^ 5,021]

No kidding. It's not just some airy fairy theory that hasn't been tested, it's been tested again and again and found to fit all observable phenomena, including microbiology that didn't even exist when the theory was proposed.

There is a lot of willful ignorance out there. It's unfortunate.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

There is a lot of willful ignorance out there. It's unfortunate.

Ignorance is bliss. How can you miss what you don't want to know?

[chri'stina 190]

Nobody assumes that. However, if you believe something unscientific such as creationism, that does challenge your ability to understand the science period, creationism is not a credible scientific theory, it's not even a scientific theory, it's just hogwash.

You can learn something and know all the data by memory without having to fully believe it. And I don't believe that hampers someone's ability to be a scientist.

[Peikko 1,575]

You can learn something and know all the data by memory without having to fully believe it. And I don't believe that hampers someone's ability to be a scientist.

Are you seriously suggesting that you can be a biologist who uses evolutionary theory to further understanding of biology and believe in creationism at the same time? I don't see how.

[james&olya 1,121]

You can learn something and know all the data by memory without having to fully believe it. And I don't believe that hampers someone's ability to be a scientist.

You might know some science but if you really believe someting as utterly UNscientific as creationism I would hesitate to call you a scientist! On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with the person who knows these stories are myths but that values the beauty and truth relating to the human condition in the christian bible.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So what? When asked to name a country beginning with the letter "U" the most popular answer given by US 12th grade students was "Yugoslavia" They all had geography teachers too.

The USA consistently ranks well below other countries developed countries in education. Which is good for the welfare industry but says nothing about the existence of God, evolution or anything else.

[chri'stina 190]

You might know some science but if you really believe someting as utterly UNscientific as creationism I would hesitate to call you a scientist! On the other hand, there is nothing wrong with the person who knows these stories are myths but that values the beauty and truth relating to the human condition in the christian bible.

As a lot of Christians are saying these days, which I am not willing to say as absolutely, they believe in evolution with God being the starter of it all. Since some people think even believing in God is not logical, do you think one day people will be discriminated against for spiritual beliefs when applying for certain jobs? You know, you can go through an entire education without having to express your personal beliefs, score perfect on all that is required of you, get an awesome job, and no one would actually know if you believe in creationism or evolution unless they ask you directly. They can just assume.

[james&olya 1,121]

As a lot of Christians are saying these days, which I am not willing to say as absolutely, they believe in evolution with God being the starter of it all. Since some people think even believing in God is not logical, do you think one day people will be discriminated against for spiritual beliefs when applying for certain jobs? You know, you can go through an entire education without having to express your personal beliefs, score perfect on all that is required of you, get an awesome job, and no one would actually know if you believe in creationism or evolution unless they ask you directly. They can just assume.

It seems that the cognitive dissonance involved would cause significant stress but if you can do it and keep yourself happy and functional it's nobody else's business.

[chri'stina 190]

It seems that the cognitive dissonance involved would cause significant stress but if you can do it and keep yourself happy and functional it's nobody else's business.

I know what you mean. But when you are studying certain things, the entire focus is not how it came to be that way. You learn the theory of how it came to be, then you focus on what it actually does at present. If you get a job that relates to one area of science that does not deal with discussing evolution every day, then it wouldn't be a hard thing. I have known several Christians who were creationists that did well at their scientific jobs. Did everyone else at their job know what they believed? Possibly.

[chri'stina 190]

And just one more thing is that I don't actually enjoy sharing my views on this kind of topic. I know how it makes me look to people. I'd rather not even say my opinion. But sometimes, I just have to despite what I look like.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Were the creationists biologists?

[Amby 490]

I was going to reply something but I forget