Questions for the General Public

[xdeus]

I'll make it simple... the theory of evolution, just as all science, is based on fact. If my child attended a science class in which the teacher taught anything else besides fact based science, then I would probably pull my child from that class. I'm not opposed to other ideas being taught about religion or philosophy, but that doesn't belong in a science class.

Let me put it this way, the whole point of science is to discover the why's and how's of this world based on tangible facts. If you were to bring up some spiritual based aspect in a scientific forum, you are pretty much dismissing the facts and asking your students to consider ideas based on beliefs which can never be proven.

[Mendel's Balls]

I'll make it simple... the theory of evolution, just as all science, is based on fact. If my child attended a science class in which the teacher taught anything else besides fact based science, then I would probably pull my child from that class. I'm not opposed to other ideas being taught about religion or philosophy, but that doesn't belong in a science class.

Let me put it this way, the whole point of science is to discover the why's and how's of this world based on tangible facts. If you were to bring up some spiritual based aspect in a scientific forum, you are pretty much dismissing the facts and asking your students to consider ideas based on beliefs which can never be proven.

To be correct....evolution as a matter of the geologic/fossial record and a number of field studies is a fact.....facts are based on evidence, data

The theory of evolution by natural selection is a theory......but the word theory to natural scientists mean a very, very specific thing

Melicious......thanks for arguing in a mature fashion unlike the other person in some other thread......lol

[xdeus]

To be correct....evolution as a matter of the geologic/fossial record and a number of field studies is a fact.....facts are based on evidence, data

The theory of evolution by natural selection is a theory......but the word theory to natural scientists mean a very, very specific thing

Thanks for clarifying that. My point was that even scientific theory is based on facts and data, and not just an assumption from someone that wants to fit their belief. I think a big problem with creationists is that they get hung up with the word "theory", but unfortunately the word isn't as clear as it should be.

[Melicious]

Thanks for clarifying that. My point was that even scientific theory is based on facts and data, and not just an assumption from someone that wants to fit their belief. I think a big problem with creationists is that they get hung up with the word "theory", but unfortunately the word isn't as clear as it should be.

And I'd definitely agree with you on the fact that in scientific terms, a theory is based off of facts, however; even Merriam-Webster makes the claim that theory is also a speculation. Most of your common, run-of-the-mill members of the public see it as speculation, that is not necessarily based off of fact.

[Mendel's Balls]

And I'd definitely agree with you on the fact that in scientific terms, a theory is based off of facts, however; even Merriam-Webster makes the claim that theory is also a speculation. Most of your common, run-of-the-mill members of the public see it as speculation, that is not necessarily based off of fact.

A theory is based off data, evidence, and inferences.....sorry if I made that confusing.....

Melanie.....I really dont think you full grasp the concept of how "theory" is being used in the natural sciences...

You said theories....are constantly being overturned every day in science.....this is simply not true.....explanations, models, hypotheses, are often frequenetly proven false, rejected as wrong, or tweaked.....but theories are rarely "overturned"......even when they are overturned it more like they are modified.

PS>theories dont "mature" to become laws of science eithier

[Melicious]

A theory is based off data, evidence, and inferences.....sorry if I made that confusing.....

Melanie.....I really dont think you full grasp the concept of how "theory" is being used in the natural sciences...

You said theories....are constantly being overturned every day in science.....this is simply not true.....explanations, models, hypotheses, are often frequenetly proven false, rejected as wrong, or tweaked.....but theories are rarely "overturned"......even when they are overturned it more like they are modified.

PS>theories dont "mature" to become laws of science eithier

That was my fault. I was typing and then thinking...bad idea. I do, however, know the difference.

Not to avoid another mistake, but I wanted to lean toward the subject I originally wanted to address:

As a teacher, someone that might end up educating one of your children, would you disapprove of my not teaching other ideas of how we came to be, but suggesting that your child, under your supervision or under their own desire to learn more, look at alternatives?

[shhhli]

RANT AHEAD: this thread seemed kinda near and dear to me.

1.) If you're going to wander off into other waters that you cant prove with fact, unlike evolution- which can be a very plausable theory, you dont want to be a high school teacher.
2.)When did you graduate? last time i checked (um... 6 months ago...) most 'kids' dont give a *darn* in science class. or any class for that matter. There's no valour in most public schools you're day dreaming about. Dont get me wrong, but they wont be stary eyed wonders that love you for opening doors. Its going to be heartache and hard work just to get many of them to pass. (Hence the fact that i respect all teachers.)
3.)Be a college professor. and write well. then when the college wines and dines you for getting them publicity for your... theories ... etc.. then you can pretty much tell the students what ever the ...explicit... you want...

This seems kinda cold, but i just want to shake you into realizing that i just graduated. i just sat in classes full of Idiots, litterally, that cheated and whined their way into their diploma. I almost failed HS because my math is so poor. Do you know what it feels like to bust your arse 18 weeks straight and know that some air-headed idiot who begged teachers for their D's are going to graduate and you may sit on the sidelines when in every other class you've made B+ to A+ and never cheated your way into a grade. That's what HS students are worried about. I could have cared less if my teacher taught wicca or chemistry. just so long as what was required for me to learn by the state was taught and i fairly graded, i didnt care.

ALSO YOU WILL HAVE A STATE DICTATED LESSONS YOU HAVE TO TEACH.
if you can find the time to finish all of that and then get into your own theories.... good luck.