In the essay, “Creationism Isn’t Science,” Eldredge states that because creationism is based on mythology, it should not be taught alongside its counterpart evolution. Eldredge states that creationists have argued for a need of “equal time” due to both being only theories (517-518). He explains that creationists are generally trying to add the Genesis version of creation to the curriculum and that he feels that this does not belong in the same lesson as evolution due to its non-scientific background. He states that the inclusion of creationism would be a “startling blow to the fabric of science education.” He goes on to say that the general understanding science students should have is “that people can confront the universe and learn about it directly” through scientific testing (520). The theory of creationism can not be tested using the earth and universe directly, and because of this Eldredge feels that it would be detrimental to students’ general understanding of science.
“Creationism Isn’t Science” is the title of this essay and it explains the ideas of this essay in one sentence; the author, however, takes approximately six pages to reiterate this idea. Eldredge’s main point is simply that creationism isn’t a science and evolution is a vital theory in the field of science. The idea is basic; the theory of evolution is based in science and therefore is to be taught in a science curriculum. Evolution is the theory that there is “one basic scheme of similarities interlocking all of life.” This theory is usually studied in biological fields but is useful in a number of other scientific fields. By explaining the uses of evolution in some scientific fields, Eldredge makes the point that evolution needs to be taught (519). This is an irrefutable argument. It is obvious that the solution to this debate is not that evolution is not worth studying which would allow for all theories of creation to be taken from the schools. This leads back to the creationist argument that because both creationism and evolution are theories they both deserve to be taught in schools equally.
Eldredge uses his six page rant on why creationism should not be taught in science when this idea should be obvious. I personally feel that Eldredge is not approaching this debate in the correct manner rather he is attacking the teaching of creationism in order for his personal belief system to be taught in schools. Eldredge is correct, I feel, in saying that creationism should not be taught in science. Creationism is not science based. In fact there is little scientific evidence to support creationism. Eldredge even states that “creationists have been singularly unsuccessful imposing testable theories about the origin, diversity, and distribution of plants and animals” (521). Creationism isn’t science but it seems to me that because of this Eldredge is ready to throw it away completely.
Students do not only learn about science in schools, they learn a number of other subject matters. I do not understand why no one has yet said that creationism should be taken from science classrooms but not from the schools. As an education student I am currently studying the use of integrative curriculum, which is the use of natural connections between two different subjects in order to allow learning to reflect life and enable students to see the value of what they are being taught. I see this debate as a perfect excuse for educators to teach the topic of science and mythology side by side. Why not teach students a number of different “creationist” theories, including the Genesis version, in their english classrooms while they are being taught evolution in their science classrooms.
It is not fair to teach students only one theory of creation when there are so many different theories. Evolution is science based and leads to a better understanding of science. It needs to be taught and it needs to be taught in a science classroom. It is easily understandable that creation theories are not science based and are instead mythological in their basis, so teach them in a subject that covers mythology. The discussion of creation is something that has been and will continue to be a part of human life. It is only fair that we educate our children in these different theories in order to allow them to decide which fits their personal belief systems best. I believe that the theories should be taught in subjects that correspond to their basis. According to Eldredge’s essay this statement should be a fair decision to end the on going debate, but it is my feeling that Eldredge would rather throw out all other theories of creation keeping only evolution.
Eldredge’s essay shows that creationism should be taken from the science classrooms, but what I feel Eldredge meant to say is that creationism should be taken from schools completely.