Darwin vs. God

Argumentative Essay # 99662

Education > Social Issues
Ethics
Law > Constitution

Darwin vs. God

A discussion on whether intelligent design should be taught in the classroom.

1,468 words () | 10 sources | MLA | 2006 United States

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at the definition of intelligent design, which maintains that there are inconsistencies in scientific theories on the origins of life. It argues that the teaching of intelligent design in public classrooms should not be allowed as it hurts both scientific and religious learning and compromises the concept of separation of church and state that is in the Constitution. It contends that the government must not indulge the fairy tales of religion at the expense of scientific knowledge. Each has its own place -- science in the classroom, and religion in the church.

From the Paper:

"The First Amendment states that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof" (U.S. Const. amendment 1). This means that there should be a separation of church and state in all matters, even the public school system. However, religion has been slowly creeping back into classrooms through a theory called Intelligent Design. President Bush has even encouraged the teaching of Intelligent Design in the school systems. He said it was part of education to expose people to new ideas. However, the Evolutionists call this theory what it truly is--creationism in a cheap tuxedo."

Sample of Sources Used:

Miller, Kenneth. Finding Darwin's God. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 2000.
Behe, Michael. Darwin's Black Box. New York: The Free Press, 1996.
Baker, Peter and Slevin. "Bush Remarks On 'Intelligent Design' Theory Fuel Debate." Washington Post. 03Aug2005. accessed on24Jul2006 <http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/08/02/AR2005080201686.html>.
"Online NewsHour: Experts Discuss the Idea of Teaching Intelligent Design in Public Schools -- August 5, 2005." Online NewsHour. 05Aug2005. 24 Jul 2006 <http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/religion/july-dec05/evolution_8-05.html>.
"The Evolution, Creationism, and Intelligent Design Theory." Exploring Constitutional Conflicts. University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Law. 24 Jul 2006 <http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/FTrials/conlaw/evolution.htm>.