runner,
It isn't just evolution which discredits creationism and the existence of an omnipotent being. It is astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology and geology.
We live on a planet which did not become suitable for life until long after an earlier sun in our vicinity gave up some of its matter to the region of the ball of matter (mainly hydrogen) which condensed to form our sun some 4.5 billion years ago. This occurrd when the oldest objects in the universe were already about 9 billion years old. It is difficult to contemplate such a long span of time but it is that span which made possible the first life forms on our planet. If that time span and our era is compared to a year we came into being near the very end of the last hour of the year.

Great another piece that will have the God squad spreading hate and lies again. My view is that religion if taught at all should be taught at home outside of normal school work. It's always funny the level of supidity that is displayed by otherwise seemingly intelligent people. Cornflower I'd love to know just what you mean by your statement "Dawkins (The God Delusion) and atheists like him prove to be just as bigoted and prone to logical fallacy and 'brainwashing' as the organised religions they decry.

Foyle the key here is never argue with a fool you'll only endup looking like one yourself. Creationist are not big on logic that's the only way they can believe this stuff is to have a thought process like this. It say so in the bible the bible is true, if you find anything that cast doubt on the bible it must be of the devil and therefor false.

Evolution isn't just the greatest hoax of our times. It's been a great hoax for billions of years now. Through all sorts of species' times. No doubt it'll continue to be a great hoax when apes learn to speak and take over the planet.

As our Constitution does not permit the making of laws about religion it would be difficult, if not impossible, to ban religious teaching in schools.
Therefore we need a balance, perhaps by way of a national curriculum, that will introduce children to a wide range of thought and opinion. State schools do a pretty good job of inculcating at very least marginally left wing values and philosophy - and often stronger than that if the local schools are any example. Fee paying schools seem to be more inclined to be middle of the road or right wing. We therefore have a range but not a balance.
Perhaps more schools need to do the International Baccalaureate with the compulsory units on Philosophy and Logic?
Teachers' unions have been opposed to a national curriculum because it would need to entail balance. It would also cut back on state power bases and narrow state based curricula. Why do we tolerate that?
It is no better than the religious base of many fee paying schools and does not have any moral or spiritual basis...for what they are worth.

I don't think it really matters what school you are at, if you come across people with closed minds you will be taught their way. A religion teacher at a public high school told my daughter that the only real religion was the Catholic religion and that all other religions were wrong. When questioned about it she answered every time with 'the Bible tells us so'.

I have two in a Catholic High School and two in a public school and at no time have the two in the Catholic High school ever felt pressured about religion. Of course it might just depend on which school or more importantly - who is teaching the class and what they believe!

Education - Keeping them Honest
http://jolandachallita.typepad.com/education/
Our children deserve better