Why is the teaching of evolution such a controversial subject in the United States?
In short, some Americans believe strongly and passionately that evolution is an assault on or in direct conflict with their religious beliefs. In response, anti-evolution groups are attempting to position evolutionary theory as flawed because of so-called questionable or missing evidence. Q: What do anti-evolution groups want? A: The answer is complicated because many groups hold different beliefs about the history and nature of life on Earth. These groups are demanding that various nonscientific ideas be included in the science classroom. Groups on one end of the spectrum seek to replace or “balance” the teaching of evolution with a literal biblical interpretation of creation, which is that God created the Earth and all the living things in it and all appear the same today as they did then. To sidestep the overtly religious argument, other groups are calling for teaching the so-called “weaknesses” of evolution. Still others believe that a myriad of ideas – scientifically supported or
