Evolution is not a 100% for sure fact. There is a possibility, whatever the size that it could be incorrect. Therefore, some people claim that Creationism aka Intelligent Design should be taught in the classroom as a viable alternative to evolution. Evolution is not a perfect theory by any means, and we have many questions to answer about the topic. However, Creationism, is not a scientific theory. Not that it is incorrect entirely, there may be an Intelligent God in charge of the universe, but that is not a scientific solution to the questions asked by science.
Empirical science is focused only on those things which can be proven by scientific observation. Fossils left behind tons of concrete evidence, and carbon dating helps to confirm the age of the fossils.
Regardless of how accurate Evolution is, Creationism has no place being taught in public schools. It is based on religious belief, not scientific data, and therefore belongs in the private sector.
For many people, the two are not mutually exclusive. I know many people firsthand who believe in God and Evolution. The people with the biggest problem with Evolution being taught in schools historically are Christian Fundamentalists, who believe the Bible on a literal, word for word level.
Out of all of the Western societies, the United States has the second lowest belief in evolution, at about 14% saying it is “totally true”. This is heavily a result of fundamentalist Protestants who make up a significant portion of our country. Pro-life, conservative Republicans were the group most highly associated with Evolutionary skepticism. Ronald Reagan summed up this position best when he stated “I have no chimpanzees in my family”. Legally speaking, it is totally acceptable to discuss Creationism in a Theology class, or a related discussion, but to discuss it on the same level of scientific merit as the theory of evolution or relativity or gravity would be misleading. It has been ruled unconstitutional to teach Creationism as fact in public schools, and it also has been declared unconstitutional to restrict the teaching of evolution to avoid offending students.
As it stands, evolution has its rightful place in the classroom, and creationism its rightful place in church or at home.
Sources: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/08/060810-evolution_2.html
http://www.adl.org/religion_ps_2004/evolution.asp
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