Tori Hooker

December 5, 2015
English 101
Allowing Creationism to be Taught in Schools
Currently in our public schools, it has become the norm to teach evolution in our science
classes. However, this is one-sided and unfair to another equally valid point of view: creationism.
Creationism is the belief that a higher power has played a role directly in the development of the
physical world (National Center for Science Education). By adding this theory to the curriculum,
it would be promoting another view of creation and furthering the knowledge of our fervent
students.
Many people would argue that by allowing creationism to be taught in classrooms,
teachers would be blurring the line between church and state, which is a violation of our
constitution. Another problem with teaching creationism alongside evolution is the lack of
tangible evidence to support the theory, making adding the topic a debacle.
However, while many deride the idea of giving instructors the freedom to teach the topic,
others elicit the argument that adding creationism to public school curriculum schools would be
breaking the establishment clause in the Constitution, it would also be a violation of the First
Amendment right to free speech to censor this theory in classrooms. A recent poll has found
85% of the American people want creation taught in the public schools, either exclusively or
along with evolution (Morris), revealing a vast majority of people rights being infringed upon.
The second problem commonly found with creationism is the lack of physical proof. However,
texts like the Bible, the Quran, and the Torah are considered first hand historical resources, and
are viewed as reliable sources to people who believe in creationism. These texts act as
creationisms proof, just as Darwin and other scientists work as proof for evolution.
Creationism should be added to public school curriculum, where it is already the norm
for evolution to be taught and tested on in science classes. By introducing creationism into the
classroom, teachers will be able to further foment students knowledge on creation and
development theories, while not necessarily influencing a students religious views. Teaching the
two theories alongside each other will give students the opportunity to compare and contrast two
extremely opposing ideas that are presented to them subjectively, with nothing but facts, and
decide for themselves which they choose to believe in, similar to the way politics is taught in a
Government class.
By allowing creationism and evolution to both be taught together in science classes,
students would receive a fuller education and the popular idea of creationism would be promoted

subjectively, as well as allowing people to exercise their first amendment to free speech in
schools.
John D. Morris, Ph.D. 1991. Should the Public Schools Teach Creation?. Acts & Facts. 20 (4).
December 2, 2015.
National Center for Science Education. Web. December 2, 2015.