posted on October 15, 2002 09:21:45 PM new
" I think the answer to the question is quite simple. It would not be practical to present every creation theory but all creation theories do share the common denominator that a GOD created the world. So it would be objective for the teacher to teach his or her evolution but also inform the class that not all religions of beliefs in the world support evolution some people believe a Divine Being created the earth. I think that is the truth, and educational and perhaps wouold inspire children to learn about other religions."
Piece of cake, I already do that,and so do many teachers I know in elementary as well as high school.At the beginning of our unit on human origins, my class engages in a discussion of what beliefs and knowledge the kids are bringing to the table. We discuss various stories of creation from many cultures and belief systems.In addition, I make sure that my students understand what a theory really is, and that the theory of evolution, which is not unified by a longshot, is just that; a theory, not fact.I also teach my students the difference between arriving at conclusions based upon empirical data, and arriving at them through faith.
Thank you for your answer, I think you would be surprised to find that thousands of teachers across the country already do what you have suggested above, in which case, I fail to see the problem...
And here I thought by your posts that you were proposing that the Judeo-Christian creation stories from Genesis be taught as science..silly me!
posted on October 15, 2002 09:35:50 PM new
Would you who dislike the idea of God in a class room censor these people in a classroom?
ARNO PENZIAS (Nobel, physics, 1978)
“ This world is most consistent with purposeful creation.” P. 153
CHARLES TOWNES (NOBEL, PHYSICS, 1964)
I would say I feel it intuitively. I think my prayers have been answered. On the other hand, to prove it scientifically is somewhat like the problem of telepathy. It’s my own judgment over my experience that makes me believe in God
---------------------------------------------CHANDRA WICKRASINGE (British scientist who worked with Sir Fred Hoyle.)
"there's no evidence for all of the basic tenets of Darwinian evolution. I don't believe there was aver any evidence for it. It was a social force that took over the world in 1860, and I think it has been a disaster for science ever since.
Genuine science, she says, supports, " some miraculous property of life that's either explained in terms of a statistical miracle or in terms of an Intelligent intervening.It's one or the other."
----------------------------------------------Paul Davies: "The laws [of physics] ... seem to be the product of exceedingly ingenious design... The universe must have a purpose". (5)
---------------------------------------------
Arno Penzias (Nobel prize in physics): "Astronomy leads us to a unique event, a universe which was created out of nothing, one with the very delicate balance needed to provide exactly the conditions required to permit life, and one which has an underlying (one might say 'supernatural') plan."
---------------------------------------------
Arthur L. Schawlow (Professor of Physics at Stanford University, 1981 Nobel Prize in physics): "It seems to me that when confronted with the marvels of life and the universe, one must ask why and not just how. The only possible answers are religious. . . . I find a need for God in the universe and in my own life." (22)
---------------------------------------------
NEWTON, SIR ISAAC
For there is no other way (without revelation), to know God but by the manifestations in nature
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JOHANNES KEPLER
"The Creator, the fountain of all wisdom, the approver of perpetual order, the eternal and superessential spring of geometry and harmonics."
(Beer, 1975)
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ALBERT EINSTEIN
I believe in Spinoza's God, who reveals Himself in the harmony of all being, not in a God who concerns Himself with the fate of actions of men."
(Schilpp, 1969, 526)
posted on October 15, 2002 09:42:06 PM new
"Yes donny but the quote tell us of his inspiration, his passion for learning the science, what motivated him"
And numerous other Artdoggy quotes.
Artdoggy, that is in the realm of the study of scientists, not the study of science. Humanities, not science.
posted on October 15, 2002 09:47:22 PM new
so I suppose the guys in the post above are more misguided schlocks who have the incredibly ignorant unscientific views that there is a divine order to the Universe. Far be it from Nobel Winning Scientist and the greatest Genius minds the earth has ever known to go up against the PC autionwatch crowd! why they know it all! I'll be looking for some of these names on this board when they are handing out Nobel Prizes.
And Prof, the way your are teaching is the fair and balanced way to satisfy all sides of the issue. I appreciate the way it is being taught and keep up the good work!
posted on October 15, 2002 09:47:30 PM new
Albert Einstein said, "I cannot imagine a God who rewards and punishes the objects of his creation, whose purposes are modeled after our own -- a God, in short, who is but a reflection of human frailty. Neither can I believe that the individual survives the death of this body, although feeble souls harbor such thoughts through fear or riduculous egotisms."
He also said, "A man's ethical behavior should be based effectually on sympathy, education, and social ties and needs; no religious basis is necessary. Man would indeed be in a poor way if he had to be restrained by fear of punishment and hope of reward after death."
Then there's Thomas Edison: "Question with boldness even the existence of God; because if there be one, He must approve the homage of Reason rather than that of blindfolded Fear."
posted on October 15, 2002 10:00:07 PM new
It makes not one wit of difference what any scientist expresses as his/her faith. Einstein or any other can have or not have any faith, what makes the difference is the testibility of their theory.
Creationism is untestable. It can not falsified through any critical experiments. It is non-sense.
All creationism theories do not have a creating god in common either. Some creation theories have animals as the creating force, while others have multiple gods as the creative force. Only some religions are monotheistic.
posted on October 15, 2002 10:48:52 PM new
>The issue here is Christians (not just fundementalists) would like to have the creationist idea of the universe presented as a theory.
That's true. They want their ideas introduced as alternatives to the accepted scientific explanation that relies upon hard data and facts. Once again, it's a problem with the word "theory". From this online dictionary, there are many different uses for the word theory.
1. A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena.
But the common person uses number six in speaking:
6. An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture.
That is where the problem lies. You can not take an idea established along the lines of number six and use it to replace the usage in number one. It is wrong.
If you read no other page on this subject, please take 60 seconds to read this explanation of what a Scientific Theory is from the University of Colorado:
posted on October 16, 2002 09:27:16 AM new
You all have such interesting views.
One thing I'd like to ask is, if we didn't die, would there still be a need for God?
Another thing is that creationism teaches that God is like a human figure with control over everything. If God was explained as more of a universal energy than a human-like person with ultra powers, there wouldn't be the need for the two sides.
posted on October 16, 2002 10:31:59 AM new
Hiya KD! Thanks fer piping up.
What you are asking is for these people to THINK. That defeats the whole purpose of Fundamenalism, which is allow people to become "right" without having to think things through for themselves. In fact, asking questions and thinking things through, while not strictly prohibited by the leadership, isn't encouraged either. Too many questions or too much thinking through the Fundamenalist belief system makes the believer into a non-believer.
posted on October 16, 2002 01:27:52 PM new
There will always be 2 sides as long as one claims supernatural entities exist and have a causal effect in the natural universe.
posted on October 16, 2002 02:13:04 PM new
Or how about the Fund-A-Mentals from the Pent-Up-Hostile Church go to their favorite chinese buffet for Sum-Yung-Guy.
