Originally posted by KazetNagorraIf the supernatural deity:
Evolution explains how complex life forms came into being from simple life forms. It does not explain how the earliest simple life forms started, but if evolution is true, mankind was not created by any supernatural deity.
1) Created the raw materials through which evolution works; and
2) Wrote the rules of physics that allow the Universe to function as it does, making evolution possible
then
mankind was created by this supernatural deity
Originally posted by sh76But the students who DO need biology, physics, calculus, history, etc. tend to provide the jobs for the students who don't.
The same can be said for 90% of what's taught in schools. Most people have no need for biology, physics, calculus, history, etc., in their daily lives.
School is not just about what the students will need for their day-to-day lives.
Originally posted by sh76Well, no, since evolution could have happened differently. For example, would mankind have evolved if dinosaurs didn't go extinct?
If the supernatural deity:
1) Created the raw materials through which evolution works; and
2) Wrote the rules of physics that allow the Universe to function as it does, making evolution possible
then
mankind was created by this supernatural deity
Originally posted by KazetNagorraOther than history professor or historian, what job requires knowledge of how Augustus consolidated control of the Roman Empire or who invented the printing press and when?
But the students who DO need biology, physics, calculus, history, etc. tend to provide the jobs for the students who don't.
An understanding of the origin of life (or having thought about it) can help one earn a living as a philosopher or college professor, or even as a clergy member.
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Originally posted by KazetNagorraMaybe this deity set the laws of physics in a manner and put matter in places that ensured the destruction of the dinosaurs and the evolution of human beings.
Well, no, since evolution could have happened differently. For example, would mankind have evolved if dinosaurs didn't go extinct?
Originally posted by sh76Well, of course exact science and engineering provides most jobs, directly or indirectly.
Other than history professor or historian, what job requires knowledge of how Augustus consolidated control of the Roman Empire or who invented the printing press and when?
An understanding of the origin of life (or having thought about it) can help one earn a living as a philosopher or college professor, or even as a clergy member.
Originally posted by KazetNagorraWhen I taught the most popular off topic question I used to get is, of course "Why am I going to need all this? I already know I'm going to join my father's locksmithing business" or "I don't know what I'm going to do, but I guarantee I'm not going to be a doctor, so can I skip biology?" etc.
No, I was just challenging the notion that most students don't need physics, math, etc.
I used to set aside 15-20 minutes near the beginning of each year to discuss this question. There are many good answers; but "you might need this for your job" was by far the least effective of the bunch; as most of the time, it doesn't pass the straight face test. I doubt 2% of my students ever had another need for Kepler's Laws of Planetary Motion or the gravitational Constant after learning about them in 8th grade.
Originally posted by PsychoPawnThis is obsurd simply because we have much evidence that conflicts with the notion that the holocaust never happened or the revelution never happened. However, where is the evidecne against God? I would even throw global warming in the mix. There are conflicting scientific views on the matter yet many children are indoctrinated only to one view. Really, it gets down to indoctrination isn't that right? Otherwise, they would present other popular scenerios. You know I wouldn't even be opposed to telling children that many question the holocaust so long as they give both sides and let them decide for themselves.
We should also present the idea that the holocaust didn't happen, the US revolution didn't happen and that 2+2=23 and let the kids decide for themselves what they believe too.
After all, we wouldn't want to be the "thought police" and make kids think that 2+2=4.
Originally posted by KazetNagorraIts possible God created the universe through these methods eg. evolution, big bang, etc.
Evolution explains how complex life forms came into being from simple life forms. It does not explain how the earliest simple life forms started, but if evolution is true, mankind was not created by any supernatural deity.
One thing doesn't disprove another.
Originally posted by whodeyEvidence against god? None needed. The burden of proof is on those that claim it exists to provide the evidence.
This is obsurd simply because we have much evidence that conflicts with the notion that the holocaust never happened or the revelution never happened. However, where is the evidecne against God? I would even throw global warming in the mix. There are conflicting scientific views on the matter yet many children are indoctrinated only to one view. Really, i ...[text shortened]... any question the holocaust so long as they give both sides and let them decide for themselves.
It's also NOT SCIENCE - hence it shouldn't be taught in science class.
There is no real scientific debate on whether the theory of evolution is valid.
Abiogenesis is a young theory, but it's science. God and religion is not science and hence doesn't belong in science class.
There is no scientific debate about god because science doesn't deal with god or the supernatural.
School isn't about letting children decide what they want to learn. It's about teaching them what we already know and giving them a foundation to learn more in the future. Part of it is to help them learn to think for themselves, but it's not a buffet of random ideas for them to pick and choose from.