Teaching of Evolution in Schools: The Evolving Debate

Much controversy has arose from the idea of whether evolution or intelligent design should be taught in our schools. On one hand, lower courts have ruled the teaching of intelligent design to be unconstitutional in the United States of America. However, up until just before the 20th century, theories involving the concept of intelligent design were being taught in most of American Schools.

According to a 2000 poll among Americans,

• 20% of Americans believed schools should ONLY teach evolution
• 16% of Americans believed schools should ONLY teach intelligent design

The other remaining percentages suggested that public schools teach evolution in a science class, while talking about intelligent design as a belief. Thirteen percent of Americans offered the idea of teaching both ideas in public schools.

Recently, the number of discrepancies about what concept to teach has elevated drastically. There have been numerous legal actions and court cases over this controversy. It is certain that some people have strong and personal feelings about this subject. This battle is not only being fought in America. Areas in the United Kingdom, Russia, Pakistan, and Brazil (to name a few) are also dealing with this debate.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Below are some links to sites whos purpose is to inform readers about the teaching of evolution and intelligent design in schools:

PBS Online NewsHour: Intelligent Design
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/religion/july-dec05/evolution_8-05.html

All About Science: Teaching Intelligent Design
http://www.allaboutscience.org/teaching-intelligent-design-faq.htm

Teaching Evolution: A State-by-State Debate
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4630737