Obviously humans didn't come from apes. (If they did, there would be no apes). I didn't know evolution was considered a religion. Anyway evolution is the only thing that has proof like fossils. If you don't believe it, that's totally your choice. If you don't want them to teach it, that's not your choice and you can't change it. I'm in year 8 in Australia and I've never been taught evolution at school. I have however been taught about God (who I do not believe in) when I was in primary school. I don't think it's fair teaching such young children about something that may or may not exist. It's different at every school and whether you like it or not children are going to be taught different things about how we came to exist. So not ALL schools teach evolution and not ALL schools don't teach one belief or religion. Please don't rate me down just because I said I don't believe in God.

Religions all involve faith for which, at the bottom, there is no empirical evidence. God may have revealed him/her/itself to you, which is vary nice for you, but you cannot transmit that faith to anyone else. Evolution is based on a very large heap of empirical evidence. Fossils etc are available for examination, ant the factual evidence for evolution can be taught. The evidence for Theory of Evolution is as strong as the evidence for the Theory of Gravity, and actually quite a lot stronger than some fields of science such as aerodynamics. Incidentally, a lot of Christians have no problem with Evolution. I assume that you are part of the Literal Truth branch of Christianity, which believes that every word of the bible is the exact truth. In which case I hope you don't eat pork.

Schools teach evolution because they are ignorant. I am a Christian too and as commented on I strongly believe that if you believe in evolution as an interspecies transition then you are not a christian. Christians do however believe in evolution as in technology evolving from a room-computer to a handheld-computer. The principle of evolution is based on the "survival of the fittest" theory. Either adapt or die. If this were true then (a great point I read in a Jehovahs witness book on evolution vs creation)(Note: Im not a Jehovahs Witness) if a creature in a pond millions of years ago was just floating around and wanted to evolve. What purpose would a semi-formed eye have until it is fully formed? an eye would be nothing until it has all is nerves and bit to make it an eye. Evolution happens over 100s of years . .. thats a long time to have something serve no purpose until its finished. The theory behind evolution is that a "limb" always serves a purpose. But the use improves. The problem with fossils is that the fossil records are all missing during the important changes of a species . . . its funny that there arent any half formed species recorded in fossils . .. all fossil records are complete and individual records of a specific species . . . there are no records of a species caught during this transition period. Another thought for evolutionists . . . A tree is made up of molecules that move around. If you take that tree and cut it up and make a coffee table, that coffee table still is made up of the same molecules the tree was made from . . . except, the molecules arent moving. What may I ask, is the thing that makes molecules move when its alive and not move when its dead . . . Its Spirit maybe?!! This said, Truth is truth. I believe in a God who is truth . . . Therefore His truths will agree with our truths . . . (Not truths like the world is flat - but real truths not theories) With this in mind I love Scientific truths (NOT THEORIES) Because TRUE SCIENCE WILL ALWAYS AGREE WITH TRUE RELIGION. The more scientific truths are discovered the more it proves that miracles and events really happened as recorded in the scriptures. The only problem now is that a miracle only appears to be miracle until we understand how they are done. Its not that it ceases to be such, its just our perception or understanding has now altered. Eg if you flicked a light switch in the 1800s you would have been burned at the stake, If you were lucky they may have called it a miracle. But now everyone does it so we take that miracle for granted . . . Its still a miracle though . . . we just have a better understanding of how it works. God has always known how it works and has been using His sciences since the beginning of creation. God created the universe and everything in it. He is the greatest Scientist ever. He uses "science" to create miracles. That is why True science can show how miracles in the Bible could have happened. The purpose of life and the key to eternal life is to know God. To understand Him and come to know our relationship to him. Evolution destroys this purpose because it prevents you from the knowledge that you are literally Gods children created in His image. It deminishes your potential because as a evolutionist you're content with who you are now because you were a monkey and anything else is an improvement. While as a Christian you know you are God's child and as promised in the scriptures and as whispered to your heart by the Holy Ghost, you are joint heirs with God if you obey the laws that He has set for this earth life. You have the ability to become as He is and recieve all that He has. So . . . that said . . . with which belief do you feel you have more to loose if you reject it. Me personally Id rather try to be a Child of God and be disappointed about having really only been a monkey previously than finding out God was waiting for me to come home and I just carried on playing in the trees instead :)

Evolution is a theory that is just as sound as any other theory about how mankind got to be here. You can believe that God made us and put us here, or you can believe that alien's helped genetically engineer us, but that would just be silly, wouldn't it? lol. You can also believe that humans came from another planet and colonised this one, because their own planet was no longer habitable, possibly due to climate change. You can believe whatever you want, you will find a way to justify it to yourself. I think schools teach evolution because it is backed up by science, and science encourages people to question and study and ask questions like why?. Religion doe's not encourage people to question, rather encourage people to 'don't question, have faith'. The purpose of a good education system should be to teach young people how to question and to think, not to 'don't question and don't think, just have faith in what you're told', which is the religious viewpoint, at least from the dogmatically religious. Whether you believe in it or not is not the point. If we wish our children to grow up as free thinking individuals that are not afraid to question the old way of doing it, then lets teach science that encourages free thinking. If you wan't your children to believe everything their told, just because halleluyah? Then teach them what you like, that's your prerogative, but don't expect me to have my kids (which I don't have yet) follow your kids into brainwashing classes. EDIT- luv4cs- In the UK, we were taught about ALL religions as well as evolution, at least they did at the high school I went to. I found it far more inspirational and thought provoking than the Primary School attitude- 'because God made it'.

well i dont belive that people came from apes if they did how did we change to look like we do know

I can't speak for the Austrailians on this board but in American PUBLIC schools we cannot teach any religious explanation of how people came to be because of the Doctrine of the Seperation of Church and State. The public schools teach the THEORY of evoloution and must leave it up to the parents to choose what religious belief they wish to impart to their children if any. Like most things in America these days it comes down to avoiding lawsuits.

everytime a scientist tries to prove evolution right they end up proving it wrong. Give me a scientist who has all the real proof to convince me that evolution is true and I will throw up in his face. The bible is the only thing correct and so many politicians dont believe in it so they create a stupid rule for us kids to have to learn a confusing fairy tale when we could be outside lying on the grass. Which my school doesnt actually let me do.....

A little food for thought on this issue that could be debated until one is blue in the face. Evolution is a theory, which has been widely accepted. It is though just a theory with science as its proof. This I agree on. What I wonder is the assumption that we came from apes because our dna is extremely close to that of apes. Is it not possible that if we did "evolve" from another species that, that species no longer exists. Animals had become extinct at an alarming rate. If we evolve, it would be likely that what we were once no longer exists at all. I think Christians and non-Christians should learn about the 'evolution theory' but not as 100% fact but as a theory. A theory can be challenged (as it should be). But to claim it as an undisputed fact is not in the best interest of students. Students should feel comfortable to challenge theories. That is the true 'evolution' of humans.

im christian if we came from apes how come were not hairy and have a big mouth and did we end up looking like we do know and besides there isnt any serious proof of apes they showd a video saying an ape was wondering around in the forest that thing looked exactly like a costume that i had saw at a store know one ever cought an ape

I dont know how people have the idea that there is no proof for creation, another failure of the school system I suppose. I dont have time to write anything on the subject so I will just leave you with a few websites. http://www.answersingenesis.org/ http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/

Evolution is actually a proven fact as well as a theory. It does not just have to do with humans descending from apes. It basically tries to explain where life developed from. An example of evolution is as simple as bacteria that are immune to antibiotics or insects that are immune to pesticides. These animals are adapting to their environment in order to survive. As for humans dexcending from apes, well we share about 99 percent of our DNA with Chimpanzees and we have the same amount of cytochrome C. Evolution is a proven fact, it's not just something that you can choose not to believe because it is happening even today.

Ignorance is bliss isn't it?? But if you want to make an educated opinion you need to learn all you can about both sides. You don't believe man descended from apes, thats Ok but why??? Educate yourself before you make such important statements. Also you have no right to stop other people from teaching and learning just because you don't believe its so.

Being taught about something and understanding it are completely different that believing something. I don't believe in slavery, or the lack of women's rights earlier, or many other things...but I think it is vitally important to know both sides of an issue before you can criticize it.

NO. Few Christian people really want evolution rammed down the throats of our young like that. Evolution is the new God in schools. It IS a religion, and it is protected from Christianity with religious fervour. But luv4cs, IF some of you genuine Christians are able to make a case with this Discovery of mine, it will go a long way to getting yourselves eventually heard. CONSIDER MY DISCOVERY: EVOLUTION?? I guess that for myself, I do not just Believe it NOT to be true, I have literally PROVEN that it is NOT - Scientifically! There are 2 "animals" that specifically and comprehensively disprove evolutionary theory beyond all doubt: Snake & Man. WHY THEM?? … and … HOW?? you may ask. They are Precise opposites in everything - both behaviourally and anatomically!! As a Specialist Anatomist and Kinesiologist, I undertook a comparative study over nearly 10 years, discovering, then proving, this great, yet simple, phenomenon ‘WHY DO YOU SAY THEY ARE OPPOSITE??’ you may ask. You may also query, "Well, if they are precise opposites, Why do they both have backbones and breathe air, and have many other apparently similar internal organs?” In answering this, it needs to be both - recognized and acknowledged that "kinds" of organism [or species] cannot simply defy the Higher overall laws of nature itself, simply to accent a differentiation of species. That is the number 1 rule of comparative science. What I am saying here is that because of their size, and land-dwelling nature, etc., they are necessarily Both vertebrate, and require some similarity in alimentary system, etc., simply to live efficiently and to satisfy the requirements of effective survival according to their overall land-dwelling nature. (Most specifically, I speak particularly of venomous ground snakes in this study.) There, after satisfying the fundamental laws of survival nature and of effective and satisfactory existence itself, their 'similarities' completely end! Thereafter, they are total opposites in everything – in terms of all possible differentiating factors among the beasts that exist. In fact, a very close examination will reveal that snakes cannot be more unlike other beasts, either, if they tried! For that matter, neither could Man be more different than everything else!! ... and that is, despite all the claims of genetics, etc., that various species [of ape, etc.] possess 99% similarity with the DNA of Man. Despite all this supposed similarity, there is nothing that really well compares to Man at all among the beasts that exist - especially, behaviourally. Now this extraordinary discovery of total opposites tends to disprove random chance mutation – per evolutionary theory. It also confirms a deliberation in Creation – it tends to most powerfully support that there is a God in nature – determining the nature of matters and designing them, according to His own purposes. Similarly, it also powerfully supports the Biblical account of Adam and Eve, wherein it was the very serpent, itself, in fact, which was used by Satan to oppose God to Eve. As you may recall, as a result of this act by the serpent, God cursed all things – changing them – but none so greatly as the snake!! [See Holy Bible] Obviously, as this study shows, among all the changes that were made was the symbolic representation re the snake that epitomized this very act – its Opposition to Man and God!! … especially so, when we consider, as well, that that same record declares that Man was created in the express image of God. This acknowledgment makes the whole proposal of expressed symbolic opposition between Man and snake all the more significant, given the Biblical history. A Master Achievement re early Biblical Proofs … would you not think?? God, only, can be thanked for it, under His direction, guidance and revelation! ALL His acts and inspiration are Masterly – hence, His name: “The Master”. OBJECTION BY ANOTHER ANSWERER RE MY DISCOVERY: You don't appear to understand the math involved in evolution or genetics. We may have 99% similar DNA to a Chimpanzee, but we also have 80% similar DNA to a banana. MY RESPONSE: denidowi May, 11 2008 at 05:10 AM [Edit] Well, really, I DO believe I understand the maths in genetics! As a mathematician myself, what you're saying is precisely what I am saying. The whole concept of opposites is purely mathematical. The claims by geneticists that we all (Man and Beast, more particularly) spring from the same evolutionary derivatives/tree/chain simply because our DNA's are so alike - especially, chimps and humans being so close is my particular point - is precisely why I say that that % DNA similarity does not make us similar or of the same background – especially when you consider the considerably close % of the banana – at 80% sameness. Despite the DNA similarity, the point is that this DNA similarity has to actually evidence properly in nature – Both, behaviourally and anatomically. Bananas?? I don’t think so! The similarity re DNA merely proves that ALL life has to have certain characteristics and similarity of feature simply in order to simply satisfactorily survive alive in nature – so that it exists efficiently. After all, God is a God of law and order. Snakes and Man, therefore, share DNA similarities, so does the banana, but only so far as to make them live effectively in nature. There, the similarity totally ends! Specie-wise, Man and snake are precise Opposites – even among their similar survival features – lung/s, heart, mouth, alimentary canal, etc. – there is great opposition between the two. LET’S JUST SIT BACK AND ENJOY A BRIEF LIST RE OPPOSITION BETWEEN MAN AND SNAKE FROM THE BOOK, “TWO BIRDS … ONE STONE!!” (Denis Towers) SNAKES VS MAN: Horizontal flat ambulation vs upright, vertical. Lies flat along the ground vs. stands erect Indented penis (lies pushed into the inside of the body when ‘flaccid’) vs external in Man Forked divergent tongue vs convergent [narrowing] While on the tongue: no apparent taste buds vs Yes…. Tongue: Much external time vs mostly within mouth Flattened head vs domed high skull No appendages vs greatest appendicular/axial skeletal ratio of all vertebrates In rest: human - supine, straight, or zig-zagged position vs coiled, etc In movement: snake – zig-zagged, random vs direct, deliberate Ears? Has none vs … External nose? Has none vs … Vocalization? Has none – is a ‘hiss & a byword’ vs… Eyes? Venomous groundsnakes: mainly monocular vs binocular Food & living practices? Nocturnal vs diurnal Hibernates & seasonal vs all year around performer… Dormant hidden lifestyle vs active [!], healthy[!] open Almost still sex copulation for hours vs acceleratory [in health & vitality] Eyes covered-hidden by own skin [that is, internal, weak] vs momentary eyelid, direct contact with external… Audio: internal & almost non-existent vs eternal entry – prime means of communication Smell: internal, powerful vs external [weak, by comparison with beasts, generally] Touch: thick scaly skin - insensitive vs great sensitivity… TASTE?? Apparently, non-existent vs opposite… Multi-coloured vs…uniformity Also tremendous variation in size [6” – 30’] vs…comparative uniformity [in health] Copulating penis? Hooked & downward pointing vs. upward & erect, etc. Only erectile structure/s [fangs] initiate death vs only erectile structure in Man initiates life 2 peni vs singular penis Mainly [deadly groundsnakes, that is] oviparous vs viviparous birth to young Consumption? All in 1 great gulp vs boundless chewing & into small pieces Head 1st consumption of victim vs. rarely eat heads Retractible, curved, sharp teeth, pulling long-ways vs fixed, non-curved, mostly molar teeth, which effect direct up & down crushing effect on food Food totally meat – eaten alive vs mainly ‘picked’ and cleaned fruit & veges, etc. meat is killed, prepared and cooked. (Note that even among other carnivorous beasts, most include some vegetation) And the hits just keep on coming between the opposition of Man & snake!! VESTIGIAL APPARATI: Some snakes have miniscule, Internal, unobservable pelvises. In typical opposition, a man’s (woman’s in particular) is more outwardly obvious, and forms part of the system of the leg. In similar opposite manner, snakes possess outwardly-displayed, tails; Man’s is vestigially ‘buried’ in nature: I almost quite forgot, MvL, thanks for your inadvertent extra point for my cause (He was actually trying to introduce a point for the opposition camp), concerning snakes being opposite Man: re the “Vestigial structures” you point out; I hadn’t thought of it previously. So, Very good ... very good for my cause: Yes; I must admit, I originally pointed out in my ‘work’ that in Opposition to snakes, humans have no tail - and certainly, in outwardly visual terms, this is so. However, I'm glad you highlighted these structures vestigially. You'll note, accordingly [that is, in terms of ‘Opposition between Man and snake’], that the vestigial structures of the snake - its pelvic - lie laterally across its body, whereas, in complete opposition, Man's – his vestigial tail bone – lies vertically, along his longitudinal plane. So, Good point, MvL ... Good inadvertent point for my cause! Further [Behavioural consideration re your observation now]: Man's vestigial apparatus here, assists his "REST" Mode in life – that is, sitting. Snake, in the true Opposition that he seems to epitomize across every feature, uses his vestigial apparati for active purposes – balance in movement and assistance in the sexual act. As most simply curl or coil up in rest, his miniscule pelvis is obviously, not needed for his rest periods! SO ONCE AGAIN, IN DECISIVE MANNER, THE SNAKE HAS PROVEN HIMSELF QUITE OPPOSITE MAN IN ALL THINGS! Good ol’ MvL, God bless him, then proposed that he could also prove that pigeons or dogs were also ‘opposite humans’. I responded in the following manner: You are right, MvL. One thing I learned from all my 9 year research into this matter is that animals are quite unlike humans - if not, opposite humans in so many aspects themselves! In like manner (re my hypothesis), however, snakes appear to be even more unlike anything else that exists on earth than even humans do!! ... including their [supposed] ‘nearest cousins’ (lizards), if you really study them very closely, that is. They are at considerable variation with one another. Whereas, if you made a comparative study of the oppositeness of feature between [say] a cow and a bird, or a snail and a dog, you would not access nearly as many opposites by comparison. Perhaps, somewhat surprising, but true nonetheless! For further clarification, you might try the Book, mentioned above. JUST A SPAT RE A FEW MORE OPPOSITES BETWEEN MAN AND SNAKE: Ratio of Brain size to mouth: extremely low – only a fraction vs. most pronounced of all known creatures [a case of mind over matter, I believe] Sheds its ‘skin’ in 1 whole piece vs. in opposition, not so Snake sleeps with open eyes vs. shut-eye Arrangement of internal organs: Mostly in single file vs. paired Accordingly, lives mostly alone vs. in pairs/families Desserts its young even before birth [eggs] vs. constant nurture and parental nourishment Cold-blooded vs. warm… Head in dirt vs. head nearest the heavens, etc. Here, you have but a mini-list of the all-encompassing complete opposition: Man vs. snake! May God Bless You PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS SIMPLE YET ASTOUNDING DISCOVERY WORLDWIDE!

Oh dear.... Alright, well, here goes. I totally agree with you!! Why the hell are we teaching children logic, and scientifically proven facts when we could be teaching them about how an omnipotent being created a man from dirt and then created a woman made of ribs. Then we can teach them about how the rib-woman got tricked into eating cursed fruit by a talking snake!! And of course, this all happened about 6000 years ago!! Why trust carbon dating when we've got the guesstimates of some Bronze-age tribesmen sitting in a tent trying to figure out how old the world is?! Seriously, the education system is WHACKED!! And anyways, there is plenty of proof for all of this in the Bible!! The only proof for Evolution is the painstaking research of thousands upon thousands of scientists... pfft...

The historical reasons for the teaching of evolution in schools are long. I am a CHristian, and I don't support evolution, but it is interesting to learn about other peoples' beliefs, so you can argue from knowledge, not ignorance. I was very fortunate when I studied Science in senior high, that we had a very open minded teacher who taught 5 schools of thought regarding creation: 1)Biblical 2)Lamarckian 3)Darwinian 4) Von Danieken (hey, it was the 70s!) 5) Modern Evolutionary Theory The Christians in the class were very open to listen to all these and go through evaluation, but when we were all asked to read Genesis 1 and 2 for class discussion the next day, all the vocal atheists stayed home. So, we never did get to discuss Creationism with anyone but the teacher.

Has it ever occurred to any of you who vociferously deny that which is scientifically credible that, perhaps, a higher being "created" Evolution?

What must be said?

im in college. the biology class i took in high school was taught by a christian teacher. and all of the science classes i have taken so far that dealt with evolution the teacher stated in the very beginning that you dont have to believe it, but its good to at least be educated about what you are arguing against. so that you actually have an argument against it and youre not just saying "i dont believe all that stuff that humans came from apes they shouldnt teach it" so its not like teachers forcing evolution down students throats. and by the age that they are teaching evolution, the students are already able to decide what they want to believe, so all you can do is expose them to all the possibilities.

I go to a Catholic school (in the U.K) and they absolutely refuse to teach evolution. I think they should, but that's just my own belief.

As at today there is no scientific evidence that humans came from apes as the theory of evolution has a number of flaws when it comes to the links that they extrapolated with the modern man. There are several missing links in the evidences put forward. So don't worry too much about this.

If you bothered to learn enough about evolution to know that it doesn't say that humans came from apes, then perhaps your view might be different. To argue from a position of knowledge gives you the strength to know that even if people disgree with you, they at least should respect you. To argue from a position of ignorance reflects badly on you.

because evolution is science, not religion and not based on faith. religion is legal to be taught in school in a comparative religion course. but they can't teach any single religion. there are thousands of religions and even more when broken up into denominations, there is absolutely no fair way to teach all of them to each child in a public school setting. there simply isn't enough time, money or teachers to do it to make everyone happy so it's best to have no religion at all.

Is the Theory of Evolution a scientific fact or a mere belief? This is the only question this documentary seeks to answer.

Send your kids to a private school, that'll fill their heads with all your bullsh!t religious garbage. Why should my child have your religion forced down his throat?

Why do public schools celebrate religious holiday's if they won't teach religious creation beliefs? Does not make since to me.

Evolution as a theory is more widely accepted and more complicated than religious theories. If your child doesn't believe in evolution, teach them about God, intelligent design, some other deity, whatever you want! The point is, there is a large amount of factual evidence behind the theory of evolution. As I have already stated, evolution is a very complicated topic, consisting of random mutation, genetics, breeding and heredity, natural selection, artificial selection, divergent and convergent evolution, and these are all just things I remember off the top of my head from when I learnt evolution about 3 years ago. A test on religious creation would be rather easy if every answer was "Because God made it so." Religion is taught in Sunday schools or other religion specific education programs. We want to try to teach children many different perspectives: They learn science at school, and learn religion from Church/Sunday school/Parents etc. I am not trying to argue that children should not be exposed to religion, merely that it is not the school's responsibility to do it!

because sin is taking over the world.

Basically Evolution is taught because the alternative theories can be blown out of the water with merely a smattering of scientific & philosophical knowledge. While Evolution also has some flaws it's the best we've got.... so far.

Evolution isn't religion - whatever anyone may think. And science isn't really subject to belief. Sure there is some faith involved but science is the process of reducing the amount of faith necessary to a minimum. The fact that you categories evolution as "humans came from apes" proves that there isn't enough education on evolution- since that statement is inaccurate. You have every right to believe in anything you want - but to disagree with something you need to understand it - and that means learning about it. For instance, I am unable to agree or disagree with the sermon given last week in your church since I don't know what was said. In exactly the same way you are obviously unqualified to have any opinion at all about evolution since you don't know what it says. So, you can't possibly know if you agree or not (it's not subject to belief - as a science). But finally, education isn't about what students want to learn. It's about wiser people telling students what they will learn to be useful, educated members of society. If they could pick and choose we'd have about 3% of graduates being able to do any math, read, know history... +5

Just because you don't believe it, doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot of scientific merit.

Because Evolution is a scientific theory. And no, a theory is not a guess - that would be a hypothesis. A scientific theory does two things: 1. it identifies a set of distinct observations as a class of phenomena, and 2. makes assertions about the underlying reality that brings about or affects this class. Notice the word assertion, not assumption. Theories are based upon evidence. On the other hand creationism is based upon belief in some mystical being who supposedly created us for its own entertainment. This would most likely belong in a philosophy, or other humanities, course. It is absolutely not scientific as it can neither be proven or disproven.

Once again proving that humans are ruled by emotions and not logic or science. +5

They do it because it's what the majority wants taught. If you don't like it, there's private school. If you don't like those, there's homeschooling. If you don't like that, get the Constitution amended. See you on the battlefield if you try that last one though. Also "...i dont belive it and i dont want them to teach it.". This world was never yours - it belongs to all of us, public institutions included.

I don't believe in evolution either, My school taught it and I thought it was a heap of nonsense.

i love americans, you can always count on them to entertain you

It's called separation of church and state. The teaching of evolution is science, based on empirical evidence. If you don't want to learn it, go ahead and fail the class and be a dumbass, nobody cares. Religion is based on faith. The teaching of religion belongs in religious institutions, not public schools. You live in a country in which you are free to believe what you will and encourages religious institutions of all kinds to thrive and teach to their followers. If you want to live in a theocracy, move to Iran!

the fact is, school admin are hypocrites and sneaks. the ones deciding the curriculum have an agenda to teach their beliefs while denying any other system.

Religion is not a science but a soul's desire.

They teach evolution, because it is a central concept of biology, it's just like any other theories (theory of magnetic field, gravitation theory, continental drift theory and so on, and so on). And please, lets discriminate an everyday use of the word "theory", which usually means one's guess (hypothesis), and a scientific theory - a large chunk of systematized knowledge, that explains a number of phenomena and predicts new ones. I think teaching about religions is a wonderful idea, but it should be taught in the course of art.

Evolution has nothing to do with religion. I'm sure you'd be fine if they "taught" religion, but there needs to be separation of church and state.

Because evolution is a scientifically accepted fact, just as much as gravity. School is where you learn facts. If you want to learn religion, you go to church. Nobody comes into your church and tries to teach about evolution, so you shouldn't try to force schools to teach your religion.

Why do schools teach that insects have six legs? It says here in my holy book that insects have four. I do not understand why they teach that about insects. I do not believe that insects have 6 legs and I do not want schools to teach it. Or; Why do schools teach that the earth is a sphere? I myself am an idiot and i do not understand why they teach this. I don't believe all the stuff about people NOT falling of the edge of the earth and I do not want them to teach it. Or; Why do schools teach something I do not understand? I myself am a christian that does not (want to) understand evolution and it's conclusions. All the stuff about HUMANS SHARING A COMMON ANCESTOR with apes I do not (want to) understand and I do not want them to teach it. My real answer; your a religiot. (yes, that means you are a religious idiot). Blame your parents, they are the religiots that made you into one.

Everyone's entitled to be wrong!

Well you can take whatever comfort you can in the fact that the US education system is one of the worst in the world and rarely teaches anybody anything. People who learn in the US, do so in spite of the educational system not because of it. Hope this helps.

Schools teach evolution for the same reason they teach algebra, history, chemistry, etc. Evolution is not a belief or religion and to think otherwise is to show your ignorance of the subject. Who cares what you want taught? School is about teaching knowledge to children not teaching what some religious fanatics want taught to children. Some people don't believe the Holocaust happened so should we not teach it because of that small stupid minority?

Then go teach in a Catholic School..thats your best bet, but what you can say is, if we evolved from Apes, why are there still apes roaming africa, how come that species is still around..

Schools teach evolution because because you're supposed to teach science in science class. It doesn't matter if you believe it or not. It's still true, and should be taught if schools are even going to pretend that they care about teaching kids how the natural world works.

They teach it because that is what happened.

They teach it because it is true, proven by science. Humans did not come from apes by the way. Humans and apes have a common ancestor

you know, I'm a christian too... if you look at the differences, you will be discouraged... just imagine that of all monkeys, we are supreme. And that's the relevance, science wants us to understand that God wants us to study to realize his creations. And also, he/she is a science teacher, maybe he/she dislike the theory... hmm... do you think he wants to be a monkey... hahaha lol!

Evolution is Science, not a belief or a religion. Who gives a shit if you're chrisian, or what you believe or what you want them to teach? You have absolutely no evidence for your beliefs so stop acing like you come from a place of moral superioriy.

I was going to answer, but I see the intelligent people have already spanked you pretty good.

Evolution is a science, not a religion. As such it's perfectly appropriate that it be taught in science class. Luckily, you opinion isn't the deciding factor. +5

and religion is not emotion based? Believe what you wish but at least be honest with yourself as to the why. You may want to look the word "logic" up.

ONE ... MORE ... TIME! Evolution is fact, not emotion, not fiction, not theory, not "belief!" There is NO conflict between belief in God and acceptance of evolution as fact. If God wants to use evolution to accomplish his purporses for life, who is ANYONE to tell him he can't do it? Evolution does NOT teach that humans came from apes! I am a Christian and yet I study evolution, cosmology, biology, genetics and anything else interesting to me. You should too. God has made us a wonderful place here on this planet, and we owe it to him to learn as much about his creation as we can. "Study to show yourself approved of God." - The Bible

They teach it because there has never been a significant protest against the concept of evolution v/s creation to make them change their rules. Some ministers are trying to get the public envolved in changing what is taught at schools, but people these days just don't want to get involved in anything. I'm not saying necessarily to teach in favor of creation, just to mention that there are two sides to the argument and invite the students to explore each concept further on their own.

schools like science and science likes logic. trying to figuire out where humans came from just means that religion is not built on logic. religion is just guessing, or believing what someone else said. its no different than science...in that we believe what someone else says. there does seem to be an evolutionary stream of growth with plants and animals. we all need to be aware of the different ideas where we came from.

Schools teach evolution because it is a scientific theory on par with the Theory of Gravity and the Germ Theory of Disease. Evolution happened, and is happening. All evolutionary biologists may not agree on the details, but I think you would be hard pressed to find any experts on the subject that claim that it didn't happen at all.

My public school taught us both so we could get both sides of the story. But as for your question, if they do teach you religion, it should be all the different religions in the world because America is a mix of different people with different beliefs. Would it be fair if your school decided to teach you only one religion but it was not the one that you believe in or belong to? Perhaps they are teaching you about Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses or even Islam. (There are 1.8 million Muslims in America.) And then, how can you say one belief is more or less correct than another belief? That's what churches are for. Would you like someone to teach science at your church? If not, why should they teach only one belief in a school? Also, the evolution of man is said to share the same ancestor as apes, not that we came from apes. Big difference. One more thing. If we all did come from Adam & Eve, are all the different races of today the result of evolution? If Noah only brought 2 dogs, did those 2 dogs become the 150+ different breed of dogs today ranging from Chihuahua to Poodles to Retrievers? There's nothing wrong with asking questions. It's better to ask and know then not ask and not know.

Schools teach evolution while claiming not to teach any one belief or religion because science is not a belief or religion: it's a methodology for examining the world, and evolution is a theory about the world which has arisen from this examination. That's not to say belief doesn't come into it, because belief in the findings of science is predicated on the belief in science's ability to reveal Truth about the universe. If you don't believe in science's ability to reveal Truth, you won't believe that anything science does reveal is True. This is a question of epistemology, and no matter what some people say, ultimately, no one can Know whether the information revealed through science is True or not. It could very well be that everything science tells us is an illusion. But to believe that is to make a fundamental statement about your engagement in the world. If the information which our eyes, ears, noses, fingers, and tongues tell us, and which our brains (independently and in collaboration) process for us, is illusory, well, how do you know what is True? What resources do you rely on to guide you through life? Considering our socio-economic/political structures are based on the premise that science can reveal Truth, why bother engaging with society at all if you don't agree with this premise? Why not be a hermit or join an isolated religious order?

God put apes here and we came from them. What's the problem??

Schools teach science not fantasy.

The poster ought to take a few science classes as he or she clearly has an overly simplistic view of evolution. Evolution is not a religion or a belief but a science. Perhaps the poster should also consider a few other classes as well.

i'm an artist and i don't believe in mathematics! schools shouldn't be teaching my kids math! i don't want them to teach it!

Schools teach evolution because it's a fact, it's as much a fact as gravity is. Evolution however is certanly not a religion, like christianity. In order to belong to a religion you have to have blind faith, but some people beleave in evolution because of the ever mountains of growing evidence and because it's the most logical reason as to how we exist in the first place. Just because you don't understand it that does'nt make it any less of a fact, and you can't just say I don't want them to teach it becasuse I don't understand it, I don't understnd a lot of things but that doe'nt mean I don't want children to be educated. If you want your children to learn about christianity then teach them at home.

One, the theory of evolution says nothing about humans evolving from apes. Two, the theory of evolution isn't taught as a religious tenet. It's science.

Because it is a simple fact.

Excuse me, but as far as evolution is concerned it in it self is a religion. Some evolution occurs but not in the magical transformation from one species into a complete different one. Give me a break. Faith. The Darwinian religion is nothing but hope, and faith in that God does not exist and we came from a monkey (as our wonderful schools have taught us) or what ever they claim spawned life. I can't help but "HAHAHA". There is no evidence that Darwinian evolution occurs, notice I specified "Darwinian" magical make believe. There has been frauds claiming to have found something through out the years to prove that the Darwinian religion, err "theory" is true! What about the evidence that does exist that contradicts and kills the Darwinian theory? Like human foot prints found in a river bed along side dinosaurs? Or about the teenage girl's pinky fossil finger that they found in the same layer of rock that dinosaur fossils are found. And of course last but not least and my favorite, lack of any simple fossil record. For those of you who say “YES THERE IS FOSSILS” Then I say, there is fraud involved, and as before it is a trick by some desperate so called scientist or desperate believer! Do some research for your self Evolution is a religion in it self and is a big joke! Even Darwin recanted on his death bed on his own theory. Evolution will one day be looked at as foolish, just as people thought the world was flat. The only evolution that takes place today is basically species in their same species having sex and making offspring that have different traits, characteristics, abilities then their parents, then those babies have sex with others in their species, causing evolution. But only in their species, not outside the boundaries or evolving into a completely different species. Do some research in microbiology. Look how everything is made and is so complicated in the design. DNA! Blueprint! Plans point to a Master Designer. Yes... You got it. GOD! P.S. Now we know there is a God just by looking at creation. Now you are left with the responsibility in getting to know your God. So what are you waiting for?