Don’t worry about it. Remember, it’s just what your state Standards think what happened. So, that’s what they’re teaching you.

My science teacher told me the same thing, too. They said “I’m not telling you to believe it. I’m just teaching you what California standards thinks”.

So, don’t worry about it! It’s just what other people think. Just think of it as a story.

You need to understand the definitions of the words you are using.

Science: requires proof

Religion: doesn’t require proof (not to say that’s better or worse – just different)

You understand science, you “believe in” religion.

Fact: what we know at the moment

Theory: explains a set of facts

Evolution: theory that species change over time

It is incorrect to say, “It’s ONLY a theory.” In science, a theory is a big deal. The word is used differently in the vernacular, where it means an explanation that still requires proof, as in “the theory of the crime”.

I assume you believe that God created the world. It may interest you to know that only a few Christian denominations find that their beliefs are inconsistant with evolution.

Even the Vatican’s position is that evolution is part of God’s plan. Not to be snide, but the Church made a heckuva mistake with Galileo, and so the Church hierarchy is definitely hedging their bets on evolution. If you want to look at evolution as being divinely inspired, well that’s fine. It doesn’t change how evolution works.

In addition, evolution is all around us: individuals evolve, land masses evolve, the universe evolves. Why not species?

It’s interesting how so many people are willing to believe that God created a world with a rich fossil record that doesn’t make sense if evolution didn’t take place. How did all these species rise and fall? Are all species going to just die off eventually, with nothing to replace them, or is creation still at work, with new spieces popping up?

I really don’t understand the dilemma. If you want to know how to live a good life, and attain salvation, read the Bible, or other religious text. If you want to know how the universe works, from an operational standpoint, read a science book. Again, not to be snide, but if you want to bake a cake, you need a cookbook. Neither the Bible or a science book will do you any good. Your needing a cookbook does not diminish the value of either the Bible or the science book.

I had to take a course about values once and there were many topics we covered that I personally didn’t believe in. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if the teacher or professor assigns it, you must learn it… but you don’t have to believe it. If you have any choice when doing projects or assignments in the class, then try to put the focus on what you believe and why, but remember, the best essays acknowledge both sides of an argument but give a summary that allow the reader to see your belief. Just make sure you recognize that this is one class, and once it is done, never think of it again. Like you said, evolution is a proposed theory. Some would say believing in God is too. I’m with you. I wouldn’t change my beliefs, just do the material required and don’t sweat it. Treat it like a class you just really dislike and get through it. That is what I did… but I also made sure my prof knew what my beliefs were and that I intended to maintain my principles.

Hope this helps.

I’m a teacher. I want my students to know more than I do, not just as much as I do. If I only taught them fact, even if they got 100% on all my exams they would still only know as much as I do.

I teach my students to to think and to challenge, not to accept. When I teach my values and beliefs, I make sure that I am clear that these are MY values and beliefs, not everyone’s, and they are not fact.

There is a huge difference between a fact, and a theory, and people’s values.

Capital punishment is a good example.

It is a fact that an executed criminal will not commit any more crimes.

It is not a fact that other criminals will be deterred by an execution. It is a belief. It may be true, but it has not been proven.

It is a fact that the Bible says “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”. It is not a fact that capital punishment is the will of God.

It is not a fact that there is a God, insofar as His existence cannot be proven. It is a faith-based belief, as opposed to a fact.

There used to be an expression when I was in the army those years ago, and it may well be still be in use. “Yes sir. No sir. Three bags full sir.”

The expression may be applicable to your circumstances as well.

You answer the questions as per the class you’re taking. If you’re taking a science course, you must answer question scientifically and “belief” doesn’t come into play. The Scientific evidence is currently for evolution, so until more advanced science proves something else, Science class must be taught up-to-date. If you’re taking a religion class, you answer questions as to the text you’re studying. I think the mistake we make is that we think we know everything 100%. when in fact, everything we know even as a scientific law is only 99.9% certain, and as we gain better tools to measure things, we revise science. (Look at the changes to “wave theory” and “string theory” in physics as we gain better measuring tools) Science is constantly being revised, so just answer what the current scientific measuring devises say is true. (That of Evolution, Earth rotates around the Sun, Gravity pulls apples toward the center of the earth, etc..)

Intelligence is hearing different ideas, weighing the merits and deciding for yourself what you believe to be true. Unfortunately, you may need to remember facts you don’t believe to pass the course, but an essay question–sticking with the question–allows you to point out differing views. Some forums give extra points for the knowledge. Many theories exist when no one can say for certain….Do you know how many theories there are for what makes a cat purr?

Take it as your grade only. Learn what you must for the grade. As for evolution after learning that junk you will have even better argument against it. If you feel that you need to speak up then go ahead, not sure if it will do you any good.

Yes, that is how I tell my son to handle it. In our part of Texas they also teach Bible History. Just know in your heart that you know the truth. Our version if the Big Bang Theory is , God spoke and Bang it happened!!!

You can actually discuss it with your teacher and tell her that you dispute that theory.and explain to her what you believe -genesis.

Remember its just a theory you do not have to belirve it.

If people feel storngly against it than I propose that it should be removed form the school curriculum.

A lie repeated often enough becomes truth.