(September 4, 2014 at 6:46 am)Mr.wizard Wrote:(September 4, 2014 at 3:54 am)Michael Wrote: I certainly think it should be discussed in Sunday schools. And I'd like to see creationism, ID and evolution (and any other reasonably common world view) discussed, contrasted and compared in a broad 'philosophy' or 'general studies' class at school. Where commonly held magisteria overlap there should be discussion, IMNSHO.
The problem is evolution is not a world view shaped by belief. Evolution is a phenomenon that occurs among all species of life, this is a fact and has been tested. ID and creationism have no basis in fact, they are simply whatever an individual wants to believe about life. The main argument for both is that life is complex, therefore god, that in no way should discussed as an alternative to evolution.
The argument is easily shut down, all one has to say is "lets assume evolution false, now prove creation" this gets crickets every time which is usually followed by some response like "look how complex the eye is" or " look at the stars and the trees, how can there not be a creator?" There is no scientific argument for creation, which is why creationists spend so much time in debates and no time in laboratories.
That is precisely why it would be so useful for kids to have an opportunity to discuss them. Obviously they are being given information which conflicts and there is a danger they will just throw out one or the other. Ignoring the problem won't help.
The point of the discussion wouldn't be to determine which is true. It would be to find ways to accommodate as much of the truth of science as possible by helping kids to modify their theology. (They really don't have to throw baby Jesus out with the bath water, much as we might prefer they would.)
