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Creationism vs. Evolutionism in Public Schools

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Creationism vs. Evolutionism in Public Schools
Debate: Creationism vs. Evolution in Schools: 1st Affirmative Constructive Speech
Creationism and Evolutionism by definition are very different topics. Currently, evolutionary naturalism is the most widely taught view of origins in America. In schools in the modern day, only evolutionism is taught and condoned. But before the 1920s, only creationism was taught, and evolution was forbidden. Then, on February 20, 2008, the Florida State Board of Education voted to revise the public school guidelines to require teachers to teach only Evolutionism. The law was passed with a very narrow 4-to-3 vote in favor of the law. Our resolution (affirmative side) is to teach both the theories of evolution and creationism side by side. This would provide a fair and equal education that lets our generation and future generations choose their freedom to religion as much as possible.
Before I continue my speech, allow me present some key terms in the argument: 1. Creationism - A doctrine or theory holding that matter, the various forms of life, and the world were created by God out of nothing and usually in the way described in Genesis. 2. Evolutionism - A theory of biological evolution, especially that formulated by Charles Darwin. 3. Intelligent Design- Belief that life is too complex to have evolved entirely through natural processes and that an outside force outside of traditional reasoning must have played a role in the origin and development of life 4. Scientific Theory- a statement or principle honed through scientific observation, reasoning, and experimentation that explains a natural phenomenon. Not a proven fact.
5. Academic Freedom- Students should be entitled to learn what they want to learn. They should also be taught conflicting theories and be left to decide what they determine to be correct.
The raging debate between creationism and evolution in schools has been carried on for over 150 years. Creationism was



Cited: At Issue: Creationism Versus Evolution. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Morgan, Catherine “Teaching Evolution in Florida” Making a Difference. Feb 21, 2008 America. 192. 12. April 4th, 2005. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center.

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