Evolution
"It's a widely accepted scientific theory, and a lot of students
might find it very fascinating."
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to this Commentary!
By Lisette Byers
As a ninth grader in biology class, I was taught the
main principles of evolution along with creationism.
I was intrigued with the theory of evolution because it was so
unlike anything I'd heard growing up. The concept that we evolved
from monkeys seemed funny and absurd. I wanted to learn more.
Most popular religions contradict evolution, so whether or not
to teach evolution in the classroom is controversial. In many strict
religious households, kids are taught to believe the ideas of their
religion whole-heartedly and without doubt. However, children are
entitled to freedom of religion just like everyone else. Evolution
should not be withheld from them. It's a widely accepted scientific
theory, and a lot of students might find it very fascinating. This
doesn't mean students have to believe anything against their will.
Just as they are taught about modern thinkers and philosophers like
Socrates and Galileo in school, they aren't expected to agree with
those ideas. In middle school, I studied different forms of government.
When I was taught about communist ideology, I didn't suddenly want
to be a communist.
People should be exposed to different religions and philosophies
at a young age so they may choose which they agree with personally.
Evolution should be taught in schools to encourage kids to take
an interest in science, and to open them up to new ideas. I think
the theory of evolution deserves more than a paragraph in the text
books at my school.
For Youth Radio, I'm Lisette Byers.
Lisette Byers is a junior at Dunwoody High School in Atlanta, Georgia.
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