In Defense of Teaching Creationby Valorie Delp | More from this Blogger 26 Oct 2007 09:17 AM I recently read a well articulated blog about all the evils of home schooling. No socialization. . .students subjected to poorly trained teachers. . .and horror of all horrors, right winged fundamentalists raising an army of creationists. . .are all things that topped this guy's list. I have many aspirations and goals for my children's education, however, being in an army of creationists is not one of them. On the other hand, this gentleman would probably classify our family as one of those 'right winged fundamentalists' and we do in fact teach creationism and so I decided the comment made good blog fodder. Should homeschoolers be required to teach evolution? A Thought On Regulations. . . In one of Chele's recent blogs, she talks about how the public school system is not responsible for educating children. They do not have to be held accountable. If that is true, (and a judge says that it is) then by their own reasoning, schools are not responsible for making sure students learn evolution in science class. If they don't have to learn evolution. . .I'm not sure why my kids do. Rather, I think it's more important for children to begin studying science by asking questions and making observations than by learning facts. The Importance of Asking Why When you're studying science of any type the question 'why' needs to always be in the back of your mind. Nothing in science is really certain. . .conclusions are based on theories that are based on pieced together evidence. We're more sure of some evidence than we are of other evidence but nonetheless, it's all about what we think happens. I really think that the great fallacy of our generation in teaching science is that we've failed to teach this process of thinking through to the conclusion. In teaching my children creationism they are forced to think through both the scientific evidence for creation and the scientific evidence for evolution. They are forced to ask questions like, "How do we know?" It is this process of thinking that I'm interested in. So teaching creation to me, is less about Christian values (although I will admit the two are intertwined) and much more about giving my children what I feel is lacking in the public schools. Learn more about Valorie Delp  Hello everybody! My name is Valorie and I am one busy lady! When I'm not writing or editing for families, I am busy trying to get my brood of 5 in line. Relevanthomeschooling tags User Comments butterflies77 (145) 26 Oct 2007 09:26 AMI agree with you. One of the reasons I plan on homeschooling my daughter (when she's born) is I feel that many public school teachers (not all of them) simply want children to memorize facts and not understand why or think about why things are that way. I want my children to learn to think about things, not to simply accept what a teacher says and memorize some facts to pass a test.  Valorie Delp (49340) 26 Oct 2007 04:03 PMYes. . .sadly they have to teach that way because the kids have to regurgitate in on a test that has serious consequences for their jobs. Even if my kids disagree with me on creationism. . .I'm okay with that if the conclusion they come to is based on sound thinking and reasoning. PhoenixSong777 (25) 05 Nov 2007 08:38 AM"Nothing in science is really certain. . .conclusions are based on theories that are based on pieced together evidence." If you're going to subscribe to that philosophy, then would you also agree with the statement that everything in the universe is subjective, and that there is no actual reality, only our individual perception of reality? There is as much evidence of evolution as there is of the "fact" that sun "rises" in the east. We see evolution in action just as we see a sunrise in action... If you're willing to imply that nothing in science is certain, when the study of science is the single most empirically-driven practice known to human being, then I'm not sure how you can call ANYTHING certain--certainly not a religious belief which is based on no empirical evidence whatsoever. Valorie Delp (49340) 05 Nov 2007 08:50 AMI had two points in this blog: one was to point out that by teaching different theories in science I am encouraging my kids' critical thinking skills. My second was to say that it is irrational to fear that homeschooled kids get taught radical right winged fundamentalist ideas. While I recognize the homeschooling community as being diverse. . .those of us that may fall into that "right winged" category. . .are often interested in teaching our kids how to think. . .not what to think. I WILL NOT ENTERTAIN A DEBATE ON THIS BLOG. If anyone wants to debate the legitimacy of creation science. . .use the forums. Further comments of this nature will be deleted and/or copy and pasted into the forums. I'll happily meet you there. ;-) PhoenixSong777 (25) 05 Nov 2007 08:55 AMOK, so...maybe I just don't get how things are done around here. You will only allow comments which explicitly agree with or support your statements? Valorie Delp (49340) 05 Nov 2007 09:09 AMFor some reason, I can't send you a PM. . .it won't go through. Yes, you can disagree with me on the evolution/creation thing. That's totally fine. I just want to debate creation and evolution here. You can use the forums. . .you can even link to my blog there and talk about how you don't like it. ;-) If I can get it to work, I'll PM you further later. PhoenixSong777 (25) 05 Nov 2007 09:22 AMThat makes sense, and it's fair enough. I guess I replied to a point that was a bit off topic. I don't know why the PM isn't working...I did just sign up for this account this morning. Valorie Delp (49340) 05 Nov 2007 09:47 AMI just tried again. . .I think maybe you're too new. I'll try later tonight to see if it's working and if not I'll let the tech guys know. Discuss this article
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