By Rachael LeFevre

When making significant life decisions, you should be aware of both sides of the issue. Without that awareness, you can't make rational decisions. Such is true in a young person's decision to believe either evolution or creationism. While many people believe creationism should not be taught in schools, teaching creationism offers students an alternative to the theory of evolution.

Many people turn this into an argument over which theory is correct, but the real debate should be over whether schools should teach both theories of creation. Opponents of teaching creationism in schools argue that creationism is not based on fact, and therefore, should not be presented beside evolution, which bases itself on scientific discoveries.

Nevertheless, creationism is evolution's counterpart and needs to be addressed to give students the opportunity to make an informed decision about their beliefs. That said, both theories should be presented in a non-biased, informative manner so students can learn about both sides.

While some people claim evolution is more valid because it is based on scientific fact, you must remember that it is a theory. Since none of us were present when the earth was formed, we cannot say exactly how it came into being.

Thus, both evolution and creationism share a similarity in the fact that both of the theories are based upon certain findings; evolution is based on science, while creationism is based on religion. This similarity links the two theories together, and it comes down to the fact that both theories are specific belief systems which people can adopt if they so choose. Therefore, it is important to present both belief systems to young people during their education.

It is important for students to be able to decide their views on certain issues. Presenting only one side of the issue is unfair and biased. Therefore, schools should teach both creationism and evolution in order to provide adequate information for students to make informed decisions about this controversial issue.

Rachael LeFevre is a senior at Portage Central High School.

By Hanna Larcinese

Evolution has received harsh religious criticism ever since Charles Darwin first published "Origin of Species" in 1859. Darwin compiled, examined and pondered the evidence for many years before releasing his ideas. Since then, evolution has been accepted and taught in the life sciences.

Creationism, on the other hand, has no direct ties to science. Although it challenges science, it is not based on science. It is based on religion.

The issue could easily be simplified to whether religion should be taught next to science in schools. According to United States federal law, the answer is no, and I agree.

The main reason creationism should not be taught alongside evolution is that it violates the First Amendment which grants us "freedom of religion." Creationism taught in a scientific setting based on experimentation presents a bias toward religion. Teaching evolution in science classes is not challenging religious freedom because science is not religion.

There is nothing wrong with religion. However, it cannot be taught as a science because it is not one.

Creationism should, however, be taught in social studies classes where various religious ideas are analyzed in an unbiased manner. Presenting creationism as fact in science classes may unfairly alter students' religious views in a setting they cannot escape. Although many people view creationism as fact, it is not backed up scientifically and should not be taught along with ideas that are scientifically driven.

The setting of a social studies class compared to a science class is a much different and more realistic place to teach students about religious ideas rather than teach them to believe the ideas.

Science versus religion is a touchy subject since so many people believe so many different things. Our Bill of Rights is meant to protect us and our ideas from being unfairly judged.

Teaching creationism with evolution violates this basic right. The teaching of evolution does not directly sabotage a student's religion, therefore making it valid to be taught on its own.

Hanna Larcinese is a senior at Paw Paw High School.

By Ashley Monroe

In the United States, the separation of church and state has always been important. It is for this reason that I do not believe creationism should be taught in the public school system.

Some may argue it is also unconstitutional for schools to teach evolution. However, evolution is never pushed on the students. While there is a great amount of evidence supporting the theory of natural development, it is taught as something which students can choose to believe or not to believe.

Attempting to teach creationism as fact would produce a very uncomfortable classroom atmosphere for atheists and agnostics. Students who do not believe man was created in God's image and woman from the first man's rib would be forced to deal with criticism on a daily basis.

When evolution is taught, teachers generally ask the students not to discuss their beliefs with fellow classmates but merely to listen and consider the evidence of this scientific theory. Those who do not accept this theory as truth are never exposed and never tormented.

People are meant to feel comfortable at school and trying to teach creationism would take that comfort away. Even if teaching intelligent design was a possible option, there would be no grounds for it.

The school system is supposed to educate students and teach them facts. It is a fact that creationism is not a real theory. There is no authentic evidence suggesting humans were a product of God's grand vision.

Putting creationism into the school curriculum would without doubt be unlawful. On the other hand, a class which examines many world religions could be advantageous. If students took a course in which they were required to compare religions, more people would not only see the differences, but how similar they all are.

Such a class would generate ideological tolerance and destroy the barrier that has created many feuds over the years - not only among the deistic community, but the secular as well.

Ashley Monroe is a senior at Paw Paw High School.

High school students representing 17 high schools and the Home School association in southwestern Michigan schools serve on the Kalamazoo Gazette's Young Editorial Staff (YES), which is coordinated by freelance writer Phyllis Rose. The students pick their own discussion topics. The views expressed in Our Turn are solely those of the students, not the Gazette.