Evolution vs. Intelligent Design in Public Schools

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Evolution is the theory that different kinds of living organisms are thought to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth. In 1986 the supreme court mandated that evolution was to be taught in the public school system. It was also at this time that intelligent design was banned from being taught in public schools because it was determined that it was a violation of the 1st amendment because it would favor a certain religion (Lac, Hemovich, Himelfarb 2009). Intelligent design is the theory that life, or the universe could not have arisen by chance and was designed and created by some intelligent entity. Intelligent design should be allowed to be taught as an alternative theory in science classes in public schools.
Evolution is a Religion
In the Websters dictionary the definition of religion is, "something someone believes in and follows devotedly." Another definition found in Webster's dictionary is the definition of "belief." Belief is confidence in the truth or existence of something not immediately susceptible to rigorous proof. Science is knowledge that is gained through observation and experimentation. Evolution is a belief because it not testable, observable or repeatable. People must have a certain amount of faith to accept the theory of evolution. The same goes for intelligent design. People must have a certain amount of faith to be live in it (Marjorie 2001). Since evolution is then a belief that people must solely have faith in to believe, it could be categorized as a religion. Public schools are violating the 1st amendment of freedom of religion by only teaching evolution. The origin of life still needs to be taught in science classes so another alternative should be taught in schools. The studen...

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...d Igor Himelfarb. "Predicting Position on Teaching Creationism (Instead of Evolution) in Public Schools." EbscoHost. Taylor & Francis Group, n.d. Web. 8 Nov. 2013.
Le Beau, Bryan F. "Science and Religion: A Historical Perspective on the Conflict over Teaching Evolution in the Schools." EbscoHost. MARHO, n.d. Web. 5 Nov. 2013. .
Marjorie, George. "AND THEN GOD CREATED KANSAS? THE EVOLUTION/CREATIONISM DEBATE IN AMERICA'S PUBLIC SCHOOLS." 149.3 (2001): n. pag. EbscoHost. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.
O'Keefe, John M.. "Intelligent Design Vs. Evolution." Personal interview. 13 Nov. 2013.
Wellman, Jack. "Teaching Intelligent Design Is Not a Separation of Church and State." Gale Opposing Viewpoints in Context. Elm4you, 2012. Web. 12 Nov. 2013.

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