Intellilgent Design/Creationism in the Classroom

As a science teacher and as a Christian, I have very strong feelings on the issue of teaching creation and/or intelligent design in the classroom. My basic feeling is that existence of God cannot be proved and the existence of God cannot be disproved. Under the guidance of this premise, I understand that science (which is not a body of knowledge but rather a way of knowing) is not the method by which I understand and know God. On the flip side of this note, God and the scriptures I believe he is represented by are not tools created for understanding or knowing about nature and the complexities of its workings.

Being that science is a way of knowing and understanding the workings of nature, I find the underlying causation of these workings into existence-creationism, intelligent design, or not--is something which should not be addressed in the science classroom. The science classroom is a place where students learn the methods of science and the body of knowledge which has been exposed due to this way of knowing. These classes are intended to prepare students for careers in science and to have vocabulary and scientific understandings deep enough to be informed voting citizens.

I believe this whole issue stems out of fear. Fear that knowledge will kill faith or trust in God. My question is this: Is my faith in God or knowledge? Is the value I find in God diminished over time as knowledge increases? I believe that I must be careful where I teach my children to direct their faith and trust. I believe I stifle belief in God if I don't embrace scientific thought even with its flaws, and I believe I stifle scientific progress if I force it to answer questions that are unanswerable by science.

I do believe that science strives to speak towards truth about nature and its workings, but I also believe the process is flawed in many ways. This is the beauty of science. It is a process that works over time. Just as in no moment does anyone know fully all that is to be known about God, in no moment does anyone know fully all that is to be known about all of nature.

Having said that, I do not believe science should be presented as a thesis for a world without God. Along these lines, I firmly believe that parents who have strong beliefs regarding the creation of this world and how it was created play a strong role at home in regards to this issue and should regulate there where it is appropriate.