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C. Andre Cardoso
Professor Lisa Packer
Evolution vs. Creationism in Public Schools
February 14, 2016

Evolution vs. Creationism in Public Schools

Who gets to decide whether your child learns the theory of evolution or creationism? Why not
both? Depending on the state you live in, that choice might not even be yours. What seems like a
harmless question usually brings a storm of countless debates with it.

From a commonly ignored topic to week long trials, the question whether evolution
should be taught alongside creationism in public schools or vice versa became a controversial
topic. The fight to achieve common ground on such delicate subject has come a long way
through trials, experiments, and many debates. A final answer is unclear since each state
approaches the matter in its own way.
At first, neither creationism nor evolution were taught in public schools. Their first
encounter happened in the early 1920s, when John Scopes was prosecuted by the state of
Tennessee for violating a state law prohibiting the teaching of evolution. The case ended with
Mr. Scopes paying a fine of one hundred dollars. The Scopes trial brought the attention of many
people that until then, werent aware about the issue. Up to fifteen states had some type of antievolution law pending in the 1920s, but only two states (Mississippi and Arkansas) actually
passed legislation regulating the teaching of evolution (Linder).

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According to Dr. John D. Morris, President Emeritus and geologist from the Institute for
Creation Research, evolution and exclusive evolutionary teaching has found to be unscientific,
unconstitutional, frequently dishonest, unpopular, and undesirable. Dr. Morris mentioned a recent
national poll revealing that eighty-five percent of the American people want creation to be taught
in the public schools (John D. Morris). The details about the research werent specified. He
argues that Creationism is a better approach for the teaching of human origins since Evolution
requires just about the same amount of faith due to its the lack of evidence.
The argument made by Dr. Morris is commonly used among Creationists. Many other
people such as John Rennie, a researcher and reporter from the Scientific American Institution,
share an opposite opinion. Mr. Rennie argues in his article Answers to Creationist Nonsense that
Embarrassingly, in the 21st century, in the most scientifically advanced nation the world has
ever known, creationists can still persuade politicians, judges and ordinary citizens that evolution
is a flawed, poorly supported fantasy (Rennie). In his research, Mr. Rennie talks about fifteen
different ideas and experiments to back up the theory of Evolution, including DNA comparisons,
DNA testing, and fossil analysis.

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A better understand of how this matter affects the overall American population can be
understood by analyzing a study conducted by Darren K. Carlson, The Government and politics
Editor from the GALLUP Association. They asked one thousand adults a series of simple
questions. Their answers were directly linked to their Religiosity, Education, and Ideology.

Figure a - Carlson, Darren K. GALLUP. 24 May 2005.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/16462/americans-weigh-evolution-vs-creationism-schools.aspx. 14
February 2016.

Most Americans answered that they would not mind having either Creationism or
Evolution taught in the local schools. If they were asked to choose one of theories, Creationism
had a 30% higher chance of being chosen. There are many reasons why, one of them can be due
to the fact that not everyone interviewed had a considerable understanding of both theories.
(Carlson).

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Figure b - Carlson, Darren K. GALLUP. 24 May 2005.

http://www.gallup.com/poll/16462/americans-weigh-evolution-vs-creationismschools.aspx. 14 February 2016.

When separating the answers by Educational level, the numbers shifted the other way.
This points out the importance of both theories being taught. Most school boards are aware that
when people are taught the concepts and the theories, they tend to support Evolution over
Creationism. Therefore it can be understandable why conservative states such as Mississippi and
Louisiana rather ban both theories rather than allow biology teachers to teach both theories.
Nowadays, a few states such as Alabama and Georgia passed legislation forcing biology
books publishers to put a sticker in front of the book stating that any statement about lifes
origins should be considered as theory, not fact (Pew Research Center). Some other states such
as California, Florida, and Michigan allow their students to learn about Evolution in any science
classroom. Wisconsin was the first state to pass a comprehensive bill allowing the teaching of
both theories and the school board does not take a specific position on the matter. The only
requirement to their students is that they must be able to identify strengths and weaknesses of
both theories.

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Though the question whether Evolution and/or Creationism should be taught in public
schools is still left on the hands of the states, there is a lot people can do to have their voices
heard. A direct approach would be teaching other people about both theories and letting them
decide which one better suits them. There is still a long way to go but many states are taking
baby steps to gradually inform their citizens about the importance of understanding the
difference between Evolution and Creationism and how it can affect their lives.

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Works Cited
Carlson, Darren K. GALLUP. 24 May 2005. http://www.gallup.com/poll/16462/americansweigh-evolution-vs-creationism-schools.aspx. 14 February 2016.
John D. Morris, Ph.D. Institute For Creation Research. 1991. http://www.icr.org/article/shouldpublic-schools-teach-creation/. 14 February 2016.
Linder, Douglas O. Law2.Umkc.edu. 10 July 2000.
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/scopes/evolut.htm. 14 February 2016.
Pew Research Center. Pewforum.org. 4 February 2009.
http://www.pewforum.org/2009/02/04/fighting-over-darwin-state-by-state/. 14 February
2016.
Rennie, John. Scientific American. 1 July 2002. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/15answers-to-creationist/. 14 February 2016.