Evolution to be compulsory subject in UK primary schools

[Checkmite]

I have to admit, I wasn't aware that it was determined that some type of deficiency was found in modern students' understanding of evolution that would be corrected by teaching kids evolution alongside the alphabet.

There's a reason why Christians send their kids to bible school at that age. It's basically the same reason that makes me ever so slightly uncomfortable about teaching evolution at that age. I get that a lot of you are all horny, as it were, over the notion of evolution being amongst the very first thing a child encounters in his formal education, but I just don't see anything wrong with learning it in middle school or high school; that's where I learned it and I'm not struggling with the concepts in any way. I think there's more important things to get taught in grammar school.

 

[Sideroxylon]

I have to admit, I wasn't aware that it was determined that some type of deficiency was found in modern students' understanding of evolution that would be corrected by teaching kids evolution alongside the alphabet.

There's a reason why Christians send their kids to bible school at that age. It's basically the same reason that makes me ever so slightly uncomfortable about teaching evolution at that age. I get that a lot of you are all horny, as it were, over the notion of evolution being amongst the very first thing a child encounters in his formal education, but I just don't see anything wrong with learning it in middle school or high school; that's where I learned it and I'm not struggling with the concepts in any way. I think there's more important things to get taught in grammar school.

Its an important fact about ourselves and the world we live in and so deserves a mention along with other basic facts like say continental drift, which is another complex idea yet accepted by most youngsters. I imagine that previously evolution was not even mentioned in UK schools for fear of offending some parents. Treating evolution differently from any other basic idea only serves to perpetuate the needless public controversy.

 

[dafydd]

I would be very upset if a teacher tried to start teaching common ancestry to my kid at that age.

Why be angry at the truth?

 

[dafydd]

In other words, you don't believe that religion belongs in the indoctrination stage of a child's education. And you're entitled to; but I do. I also believe that whether or not religion is part of the indoctrination stage of a child's education is entirely up to the parents, and that the State should try to stay far away from controversial topics in contributing to this stage.

What is controversial about it?

 

[dafydd]

Just curious: why do you reject it?

Indoctrination at an early age?

 

[Damien Evans]

Used?
What as a doorstop or a paperweight?

-

I think there was a computer program called the Blind Watchmaker as well.

Closest I can find is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weasel_program

 

[jimbob]

AvalonXQ,

Is there any evidence that would change your mind about the origin of Man?

If so, what?

it is a logical possibility that fossil evidence could come up that could change my mind about the origin of mankind, (say a plesiosaur holding a banner saying "End Nuclear Testing Now") or fossil rabbits in the precambrian.

What would you need to see to stop believing in Creationism?

Do you believe that the Earth is a few thousand Years old, or far older?

There are many Anglicans, and Roman Catholics who don't have a problem with evolution; I think the reasoning is that the power to work out the evidence came from abilities that a creator must have given. As had any evidence.