How Do You Teach The Creation-Evolution Debate?
Do not shy away from the creation-evolution debate. While not critical for younger children, high school students need to have some understanding on both sides of the debate. Although we did not shy away from the debate in our homeschool, I wish I had covered the topic even more. It is a major topic of discussion on college campuses today – especially on Christian college campuses. You do not want your student to be unprepared for the challenges they will face to their views on this topic.
Students need to become informed so they can provide reasoned arguments for their beliefs. Without understanding the issue, they cannot reasonably form their own belief system. They need the information for some tests, particularly the biology AP and CLEP exams.
As they leave your home, they may begin to question their beliefs. I felt that I had done a good job of covering the issues. We had numerous books on the topic at home, and we used Apologia sciences, which has an explanation of the creationist viewpoint. We did not shy away from evolution, and some of our school books had an assumption of evolution. My children understood the concepts of evolution, and could explain their beliefs to others.
Even so, one of my children have since wondered if I did not cover evolution enough. I carefully explained (again) our many discussions and books on the issue. I think he was remembering only the creationist material, and had forgotten the other material. It was interesting to me that he would have preferred MORE information on evolution. He felt that it could have prepared him better in college.
If you are concerned about evolution in your home, consider carefully the age of your student. At some point you want them to become an adult, and learn about variety of different opinions so they can develop their own. You want them to face the culture with their beliefs firmly attached – beliefs based on fact, rather than ignorance. With information and discussion you can strengthen your child’s ability to stand firm.
Do not be afraid of this discussion. There is strong evidence for your beliefs, whether you hold a traditional creationist beliefs or more recently, belief in Intelligent Design. For information on the latter, check out the Discovery Institute in Seattle, Washington. They have many leading scientists who argue that the complexity of the universe and life on earth is far to complex to have developed through random chance and mutation. If you get some of their material, your students will be well armed.
About the Author:
Need great homeschool support for free? Lee Binz, The HomeScholar helps parents homeschool for high school and has a homeschool online free minicourse and free training webinar on how to give homeschool credit in high school. You can find Lee online at TheHomeScholar.com.
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