
DATE: Wednesday, April 23, 1997             TAG: 9704230451

SECTION: FRONT                   PAGE: A1   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY NANCY YOUNG, STAFF WRITER

DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE                        LENGTH:  102 lines

READERS VOICE STRONG VIEWS ON TEACHING OF CREATION SCIENCE

Hampton Roads residents do not equivocate in their opinions about teaching creationism in the public schools.

``Theory of creationism is a bunch of bunk! Evolution is no more a theory than relativity is,'' said a Norfolk man.

``It's ludicrous to even ask this question!'' said another man. ``This country was founded on creation theory, and it was taught for hundreds of years.''

Almost 1,600 people responded to questions posed by The Virginian-Pilot on whether creation science theory should be taught in public school science classrooms.

A Chesapeake parent has challenged a biology textbook which she says portrays evolution theory as fact and fails to teach other theories, such as one that holds that the universe was created by an intelligent designer.

The Chesapeake School Board rejected the woman's challenge but supported Chesapeake School Superintendent W. Randolph Nichols' decision to purchase a creation science text for inclusion in each high school and middle school library.

Readers were invited to call INFOLINE, an audio-text service operated by The Pilot, to register their votes as ``yes'' - meaning they favored the teaching of creation science in public schools - or ``no.''

The response was not a statistical sample of Hampton Roads residents and is not a valid indicator of where a majority of people stand on the issue.

By a margin of 1,218 to 340 readers who called before 6 p.m. expressed overwhelming support for including creation science theory in the public school curriculum.

Some of those who supported the teaching of creation science said it is the only correct view on the origin of life.

``What I believe is happening is that our country is getting away from God,'' said a Virginia Beach woman. ``Creation is a fact. Evolution is falseness.''

For others it is a question of fairness. If one theory is taught, others should be taught as well, they said.

``Look at both theories and examine the facts,'' said a Portsmouth man.

``There's nothing wrong with letting the children know that there's more than one theory. Let them see both theories and let them decide,'' said a Chesapeake woman.

Those opposed to teaching creation science often characterized it as nonscientific and said it would be a disservice to children to present it as such.

``Creationism is a belief, not a theory,'' said a Norfolk man. ``Evolution is a scientific theory, based on evidence.''

``Creation theory is no good. Scientific theory is the only true way to teach children,'' said a Portsmouth man.

Some said religion has no place in the classroom, that to teach creation science theory is a violation of the separation of church and state.

``If they want to teach their religion-based theories, I resent my tax dollars being spent to propagate someone else's religious beliefs,'' said a Virginia Beach man.

But others said the religious aspect of creation science is exactly what is needed in the schools.

``It's ridiculous that this country no longer realizes how important it is teach the word of God in school,'' said a Virginia Beach man. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

These are the opinions of some of the hundreds of people who

responded to an INFOLINE question Tuesday about whether creation

science should be taught in public schools.

It's important to realize that religion teaches wonderful values

for getting along in life. But many cultures offer creation stories

that have no basis in reality.''

- Bill of Norfolk

``Creation's a nice theory, and it probably occurred through

evolution but not by God snapping his fingers.''

- Fred of Norfolk

``Creationism shouldn't be taught. It's only a theory. It's a way

to get religion back into the school through the back door.''