Should students be taught to question evolution?

It is interesting how the education system doesn't want anybody to question evolution. If it is truly "science" and "truth", what are they afraid of? I believe it is because more and more scientists who are honest and delve deeply into the subject are beginning to realize the many fallacies with evolution that are not being allowed in the media, classrooms and textbooks. It is not a matter of religion, but truly a matter of science. I have heard MANY problems with evolution, too many to list. One I found interesting is that since the sun continues to shrink year by year: at the rate it is shrinking, if the earth was truly billions of years old, at something like 130 million years ago, the sun would have been touching if not engulfing the earth. Hmmm...I don't think life could have survived!

I do believe in micro-evolution: where small changes occur WITHIN species over time, like in Darwin's finches. But, you can't apply this same theory to the entire process of the world's development.

Also, if macro-evolution continues to happen even now (I know it takes millions of years and all that nonsense), where are those "transition" forms now? Today, monkeys are monkeys, humans are humans, dogs are dogs; you just don't see half monkey/half humans, etc. There is so much more to discuss, but would take books (which have been written!!).

Evolution is. Evidence is everywhere. However, we should always continue to question all theories in order to refine our knowledge and understanding of them. We should not question it to appease those that try to say that "creationism" is a scientific theory.

Galileo anyone?

I was watching a video with my class the other day that brought up the Church's stance against Galileo and his theory of the heavens. My little sixth graders connected that time period to the arguments of the theory of evolution today.

First, you go kids! Thanks for getting the connection. Second, out of the mouths of babes folks!!

We spend too little time questioning any authority. Yes Darwin's version of evolution needs to be studied, questioned and all of that. We educate, so do we question? Most of the time we are frightened that we may overstep some political boundary, so what, when that happens find political solutions. Mostly our students want to se us question and think. That's what we are supposed to be experts at.

The problem is that macro-evolution is not a clear idea and does have a lot of problems that are not taught in the classroom. For instance, scientists cannot construct a consistent phylogenetic tree. If we use the RNA from the small ribosomal subunit, we get one tree, but if we use mtDNA, we get a totally different result. For just about every new way we can think of to test the order and relationship of descent, we get a different result. When we test gravity, we always get the same result, regardless of what kind of test we use. We can put this result in mathematical formulas and use it to calculate things and make predictions. We cannot make any formulas or predictions based on phylogetetic relationships. Yet students are taught that just like gravity is true and proven, evolution is also true and proven. This hampers the process of thinking and learning.

Students should be taught to questions theories and facts presented in different classes. Throughout academic history, theories and facts have been overturned as a result of new investigation and inquiry. What is important is to also teach that established theories are not proven false by some observable inconsistencies. Students need to learn how the scientific method can be used not only to verify but also to question and even change previously held ideas.

Students should be taught to question everything, and try to find their own answers and beliefs toward subjects. We as educators should be a guiding force so that they can find their way; we should not be telling them what to believe!

It's ridiculous to teach evolution, theory or not. It's like I'm exposing my child to religious views in the classroom that I don't agree with. Isn't that why religion is not taught in public schools? Because of the many different views. Therefore, if I don't agree with the evolutionist point of view, this matter should be treated the same way: with caution. Now, should I pull my kid out of a class that's teaching evolution? How about teach about different religious views as well?

Education should be about learning every theory their is. There is nothing to fear from educating our children. They are smart and they will decide for themselves. There is nothing to fear in learning about our world. The more we learn the better our decisions are and the more power we have. We should give our children power to know about everything so they can choose what they want to do in this life.

It's fine to question evolution, but you will also have to throw out most of science with it. Evolution is based on geology, biology, chemistry and physics. Most who reject evolution also reject that the universe is billions of years old (physics), don't believe that dinosaurs lived hundreds of million of years ago (geology, chemistry), and so on. Like it or not, science holds together as a whole, and it is virtually impossible to just pick the parts that you want to believe.

Furthermore, if you choose to pursue a career that is science related, and if you don't believe in evolution (i.e. don't believe in science), you will encounter many obstacles. A relative of mine has been a vociferous denier of evolution; he got excellent grades in school, but could not get into med school. There are many outstanding problems in evolution, as in any science, but rejecting evolution altogether raises many more problems than it solves. No other theory is backed up by scientific facts. If evolution is against your religion, just say so. But don't expect to get very far in the world-wide higher educational system. And America will lose its competitive edge if our students start to reject science.