He disagrees that this idea will encourage critical thinking about science amongst high schools students, ninth and tenth grade students in particular. Finally, he argues that academic freedom, should not be geared towards alleging weaknesses in evolution over scientific controversy.
The author’s premises are true in relation to the creation of Teach the Controversy, but the idea of religion not being taught in public classrooms are not true. Bassham argues that creationism should not be taught in public schools, but evolution should be taught alone for students to use their own critical thinking. Bassham reasoning contradicts itself and displays bias towards religion. To reason that it is acceptable to teach the theory of evolution as fact, but creationism cannot be taught, even as theory or intelligent design, displays bias. The theory of evolution has not been falsified and nor has it been proven that there is no God and creationism never occurred. Bassham commits a logical fallacy in his third point of reasoning. He argues that the idea of implementing “Teach the Controversy” in high schools does not promote critical thinking about science