Colorado Bill Pushes Creationism in Public Schools

Colorado Conservatives are struggling to pass a bill that could drastically change the state’s education system. The bill, focused on academic freedom, would allow creationism, also known as intelligent design, to be taught in public schools. Creationism is the idea that a supernatural being created the earth and its inhabitants. The bill was said to be D.O.A (dead on arrival) by Claire Levy, chair of the House of Appropriations Committee, according to huffingtonpost.com.

“I think it’s safe to say it’s not going to make it to the governor’s desk,” Levy announced on Denver’s 760 AM radio. “It’s asking science teachers or allowing science teachers to teach creationism and deny global warming.”

For a bill to be submitted by conservative Republicans in a committee that’s mostly made up of Democrats, it would appear that Levy is correct.

However, a recent report found that creationism is being taught in Texas public schools.

“The Bible provides scientific evidence that the Earth is 6,000 years old, that astronauts have discovered ‘a day missing in space in elapsed time’ that affirms biblical stories of the sun standing still and moving backwards,” huffingtonpost.com reported. “The study covered the state’s 57 districts and three charter schools offering Bible courses in the 2011-12 academic year.”

The article stated that in the courses reading, writing and Religion 2, Texas students are being taught that “the Bible is the written word of God…giving God his rightful place in the national life of this country has provided a rich heritage for all its citizens…Christ’s resurrection was an event that occurred in time and space — that it was, in reality, historical and not mythological.”

Prominent figures have been speaking out against the teaching of creationism in public schools. Near the end of 2012, Bill Nye, a popular TV personality known as “Bill Nye the Science Guy,” released a video that took YouTube by storm.

“I say to the grownups, if you want to deny evolution and live in your world that’s completely inconsistent with everything we’ve observed in the universe, that’s fine. But don’t make your kids do it,” Nye said. “The Earth is not 6,000 or 10,000 years old, it’s not. And if that conflicts with your beliefs, I strongly feel you should question your beliefs.”

I would hope to see the bill pass in Colorado. As a Christian, I am a strong believer in creationism.  However, it wouldn’t seem fit to be the only objective taught in public schools. The U.S. is a melting pot of all different cultures and religious beliefs, so it would be somewhat offensive to teach that principle to those who don’t choose to believe in it.

Evolution shouldn’t be the only answer either. If the bill passes, it’ll bring some relief to creationists. I’ve had to sit through many lectures about Darwinism, along with the Big Bang theory, in addition to enduring teachers who challenged my beliefs by stating that evolution is a fact.

Since the study of how humans and this earth came into existence can’t be eliminated from the public school curriculum, it would be beneficial to at least have different science classes. Schools should leave the decision of what is taught up to the teachers and students. Teachers that believe in creationism should be allowed to teach it, and those who don’t can teach evolution. Students should have the power to choose which class they participate in. If they believe in creationism, they shouldn’t have to be subjected to listening to a lecture about how their ancestors branched off from apes. If they don’t believe they were created by a supernatural being, they can choose to take a class with a teacher who explains evolution. Or, there could also be a class that shows both sides of the argument, which is what the Colorado bill will hopefully do: present creationism as a mere alternative to evolution. If students are shown multiple arguments, they won’t have to feel like an opinion or belief is being forced on them.