Religion and Politics
The teaching of religious doctrines and scientific theories has been a topic of heated discussion for some time. Creationism, a religious belief that traditionally stems from Islamic, Judaic and Christian doctrines attributes the creation of the universe solely to a god; denying any claims that human creation evolved from different species over time. However, evolution has become more developed in recent centuries and is supported by scientific proof of empirical evidence, contributing to the reality of its existence. With that being said, does one theory or doctrine have more merit to be the central focus of education system’s teachings?
In 2013 an article acknowledged that the states of Colorado, Missouri, Montana and Oklahoma brought forth legislation that would include creationism alongside evolution in education curricula of public schools, if passed. Many people were opposed to the thought of having two opposing interpretations of human creation taught in the curriculum, the majority being in favor of secular education for students.
Prima facie, scientific and empirical findings prove the validity of evolution theory, thus disproving the validity of a divine or the doctrine of creationism. Despite the evidence, people still argue in favor of creationism. Are we right to believe these people are wrong? Although I have a fairly neutral stance on this controversy, I do believe the exclusion of creationism denies students the opportunity to learn about the importance of creationist thinking throughout history. The fact of the matter is, the doctrine of creationism exists and has a long-standing validity among generations of human existence.
Personally, I believe educating students on this scientific controversy has little effect on their individual belief system, but rather provides them with a different perspective. The idea of creationism will never become obsolete, no matter the amount of scientific evidence. The reality is human beings inherited their belief system from their ancestors and most will continue to value the belief system of their family and pass the same religious values on to the generations after them. Topics that are an important part of history should always be taught to students, even if the addition of creationism to education curricula provides students with just a basic understanding of the scientific controversy.
Understanding World Religions 
A religious creation myth has absolutely no place in the science classroom. The description of this issue as a “scientific controversy” is misleading. The controversy is between a theory supported by mountains of evidence and vetted by the overwhelming majority of experts in relevant scientific fields versus biblical literalists who are taking the account of an ancient myth on faith. Teaching “both sides” of this issue in a science classroom would be as misguided as teaching holocaust denial in a history class room for the sake of “balance”.
I don’t think any theory or doctrine has more merit than the other to be thought in our education system. Many studies are said to be true and are later proven to be wrong or are changed over time, however, I still believe that it is very important for these theories and studies to be thought in our education system. They are theories that have been brought forward thanks to the efforts of other people and therefore we learn from them and they help us move forward. The creationism theory is another possibility of the creation of our universe and therefore is another facet of the wide possibilities that should also be acknowledged and thought in our education system.
Which is fine, because evolutionary is not a doctrine and creationism is not a theory.
Doesn’t the dishonesty with which creationism is promoted cause you any problems?
This entirely misses the point of the issue. Creationists are demanding that their particular religious dogma is supported by science and should be taught as science in science classes. If they were not making this demand, there would be no issue. It is a matter of science not because scientists say so, but because creationists say so.
The fact that creationists insist on turning any criticism of their claims into an attack on their religion shows that this fundamental claim for scientific legitimacy is a flat and blatant falsehood. Time and time again, their claims have been tested through the courts and found to be false. No scientific research or publication has ever been based on any creationist “theory”. Creationism fails to meet to most basic demands of science, which is that any scientific proposition must be testable. They base their arguments on misrepresentation, distortion and outright falsehoods about science in general and evolutionary theory in particular, but offer nothing other than blind dogma, and the adherence to whichever “literal” interpretation of their particular holy book their particular sect demands. As the Dover v. Kitzmiller trial demonstrated, they have no compunction about lying even under oath – presumably sworn on that same Bible they hold to be inerrant – to promote their cause.
Creationism has no place in schools because it is deeply and fundamentally dishonest. When it comes down to basics, its as simple as that.