# Creationism does not belong in Science class **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 24, 2008, 4:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004 "2008-09-24T16:03:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![woodstockbirdybird](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/woodstockbirdybird/32/7905_2.png) [@woodstockbirdybird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/woodstockbirdybird)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/21 "2008-09-24T18:09:38Z")
> [@Malacandra](#): > > And did anything spark this off, or is it just random-snark-at-religion time? I haven’t checked my watch lately. This is why those of you Christians who whine about how persecuted you are sound like such loons. Attacking a small group of idiots who think a completely unscientific theory should be taught in science class is not the same as saying “all Christians are idiots”. I imagine what sparked this was a report of another small group of idiots trying to push for their bullshit to become part of the curriculum - it’s not like it’s such a rare occurrence. If you’re finished being defensive, tell me: do you think creationism _should_ be taught in science classes? ---
**Author:** ![Claptree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Claptree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claptree)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/22 "2008-09-24T18:40:24Z")
> [@glee](#): > > Which follows this lamentable stuff: > > [Christian campaigners force new guidelines over creationism | Daily Mail Online](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-484907/Christian-campaigners-force-new-guidelines-creationism.html) Holy crap, the first (only) comment on that story was a veritable orgy of misconceptions! I actually had no idea these nutters were so prominent in the UK. ---
**Author:** ![Baldwin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baldwin/32/7264_2.png) [@Baldwin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baldwin)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/23 "2008-09-24T18:42:21Z")
Well, if the absurd scenario described in the OP somehow actually happened, I think we can probably all agree it would be a Bad Thing. You’re clever, and funny, and on the right side of things, and we all agree with you. You’ll find precious few people on the SDMB who think Creationism should be taught in school. Anything else? Like a point? ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/24 "2008-09-24T18:59:15Z")
[QUOTE=astro] Making creationists cartoon bad guys does not help the argument any more than Jack Chick comics showing non-creationists as mustachioed devil worshippers with bushy eyebrows and bad teeth who cackle “Har! Har! Har!”. [/QUOTE] Actually, [creationism](http://www.answersingenesis.org) _is_ [cartoonish](http://picasaweb.google.com/BPlurt/AmadNIDForTheHardOfThinking#slideshow). ---
**Author:** ![sqweels](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f19dbf/32.png) [@sqweels](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sqweels)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/25 "2008-09-24T19:08:50Z")
> [@ivan\_astikov](#): > > Non-believer = Satan supporter. Hmmm…that’s an interesting concept. And straight out of the fundamentalist dictionary. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/26 "2008-09-24T19:54:40Z")
> [@glee](#): > > … > Pupils taking Biology GCSE with exam board OCR this year became the first students in mainstream education to answer questions on the theory in a science exam. > > [Christian campaigners force new guidelines over creationism | Daily Mail Online](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-484907/Christian-campaigners-force-new-guidelines-creationism.html) What I’d like to know is why the hell there’s a shot of hands with rosary beads-the Catholic church does not endorse teaching ID in schools. (I was taught that God set Evolution in place, but no, RCism is NOT anti-Darwin!) ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/27 "2008-09-24T20:12:28Z")
> [@sqweels](#): > > And straight out of the fundamentalist dictionary. So, fundamentalists of all flavours agree upon that then? That seems a good enough starting point for some sort of consensus. If they could get round a table and hammer out their other differences, the world might be a happier place. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/28 "2008-09-24T20:15:48Z")
> [@Claptree](#): > > Holy crap, the first (only) comment on that story was a veritable orgy of misconceptions! I actually had no idea these nutters were so prominent in the UK. The comments section of the Daily Mail website isn’t exactly prominent. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f07891/32.png) [@Little\_Plastic\_Ninja](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Plastic_Ninja)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/29 "2008-09-24T20:47:23Z")
In my tiny Texas high school Biology class, our teacher addressed creationism. I believe it was something like this: “Some people believe a Divine Power created all life on Earth. Other people believe that this Divine Power set the wheels in motion and started evolution at the beginning. Most reputable scientists do work with the theory of evolution, even if it isn’t the only theory out there. This course is meant to discuss that theory. Now, do y’all remember the differences among theories, hypotheses, and laws? That’s right – a hypothesis is an idea, a theory is a tested idea that seems to hold up, and a law is a theory tested to the point of universally accepted fact. So: with the best-observed evidence we have pointing toward evolution as truth, that’s what we’re studying. If you are interested in the debate, I encourage you to educate yourselves.” This was the same school system that, in our Earth Sciences course in the 8th grade, showed a video on the dangers of Satanism. The main outcry was “this is a scary video!” Also, at the annual DARE conferences, local Concerned Citizens had classes on how to combat cultish activities. Ankhs and pentacles are evil, boys and girls. (I had great fun correcting the teacher in that little ‘class’. He did not like me by the end. I was informed that if I continued interrupting his teaching I would be asked to leave and would not receive credit. I busied myself by giggling and explaining the REAL meanings of the symbols to people after the class was over.) ---
**Author:** ![Malacandra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Malacandra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Malacandra)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/30 "2008-09-24T20:48:50Z")
> [@woodstockbirdybird](#): > > This is why those of you Christians who whine about how persecuted you are sound like such loons. Attacking a small group of idiots who think a completely unscientific theory should be taught in science class is not the same as saying “all Christians are idiots”. I imagine what sparked this was a report of another small group of idiots trying to push for their bullshit to become part of the curriculum - it’s not like it’s such a rare occurrence. > > If you’re finished being defensive, tell me: do you think creationism _should_ be taught in science classes? Did I say it should? _Now_ **glee** has deigned to provide some context for the OP, but putting it in the OP would have been better. As for science class, a scientist would find out what it was that “sparked this” - not drag out a bunch of random assumptions. If you bother to actually check the link, you’ll find out that it’s more along the lines of a noted scientist taking the line that there might be better approaches than pointing and laughing - and the evolutionists have closed ranks to hound him out of his position of responsibility. None of which has a fucking thing to do with American classrooms. Graham, Graham… you can own my sorry butt over the chessboard any time you like, and you make a fair-to-average Wose, DM or Viking berserker, but you can’t debate religion for shit. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Claptree](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58f4c7/32.png) [@Claptree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Claptree)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/31 "2008-09-24T20:53:25Z")
> [@Struan](#): > > The comments section of the Daily Mail website isn’t exactly prominent. I rather suck at constructing posts. There should have been some reference to the fact that > [@](#): > > Ministers have been forced to issue guidelines on how to teach Creationism in science classes after pressure from Christian campaigners. But, as stated, I could have been clearer. ---
**Author:** ![Baron\_Greenback](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/baron_greenback/32/48_2.png) [@Baron\_Greenback](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baron_Greenback)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/32 "2008-09-24T21:13:51Z")
> [@Claptree](#): > > But, as stated, I could have been clearer. Ah, gotcha. Those campaigners are very fringe though, even within the religious community in the UK. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/33 "2008-09-24T21:28:10Z")
I felt compelled to respond to the single (?!) comment. The section is pre-moderated, though. ---
**Author:** ![NDP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ndp/32/55_2.png) [@NDP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NDP)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/34 "2008-09-24T23:22:52Z")
[Teach the controversy](http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/2587286576_cfce01b747_o.jpg)! ---
**Author:** ![Wolfian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/7ea924/32.png) [@Wolfian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wolfian)\ **Post date:** [September 24, 2008, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/35 "2008-09-24T23:31:17Z")
Jeez, Jerry must have screwed up royally this time. I thought I was opening a Pit thread. Instead I wound up on the livejournal of a 15 year old, thinks he’s more clever that Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift’s love-child, know-it-all. Hyperbole and satire are dangerous weapons, kid, and should be left to the professionals. Now where’s my FAIL icon? ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/36 "2008-09-25T07:47:47Z")
Actually, I think creationism DOES belong in the science classroom. We learned about the Phlogiston hypothesis in basic science, the four humours theory in human biology and the four elements in chemistry. The science classroom is the perfect context for explaining defunct or discarded notions of how the universe works. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/37 "2008-09-25T08:27:37Z")
sarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalin ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/38 "2008-09-25T13:21:40Z")
What’s this “alinsarahp”, then? Is that some newfangled scientific notion? ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 1:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/39 "2008-09-25T13:45:28Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > sarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalinsarahpalin Amateurs. You only have to say it three times, while facing a mirror. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2008, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004/40 "2008-09-25T13:47:50Z")
> [@Wolfian](#): > > Jeez, Jerry must have screwed up royally this time. I thought I was opening a Pit thread. Instead I wound up on the livejournal of a 15 year old, thinks he’s more clever that Alexander Pope and Jonathan Swift’s love-child, know-it-all. Hyperbole and satire are dangerous weapons, kid, and should be left to the professionals. > > Now where’s my FAIL icon? So, that’s one vote “for,” then? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/creationism-does-not-belong-in-science-class/465004.md?page=3)