I doubt it. Just because the origin of life was taught in conjunction with evolution in biology class doesn't mean that the former is a part of the latter. On the other hand I don't know exactly what was taught in your school 30 years ago but even if what you claim is true, that doesn't mean that you were taught correctly and maybe your biology books were a bit sloppy in their presentation of this topic. Alas, this is still true today in some cases.
Then a theology-philosophy class could cover both theories on the origins of life, and the students can make up their own minds as to what to believe.
As I said before, theology or philosophy classes can cover whatever they want. If the research of abiogenesis makes progress and we have more conclusive data about how life might have arisen naturally then this is going to be taught in science class and theology or philosophy classes aren't going to change that and any criticism thereof has to come from the scientific corner and not the theological or philosophical field.
They were certainly presented close enough that in my uneducated mind, the two were definitely connected.
(I'm not that dang old! :-)
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Alas, this is still true today in some cases.
Agreed. Children are impressionable and are, after all, in school to learn. Perhaps a class called The Origins of Life and other Philosophies might be the answer.
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If the research of abiogenesis makes progress and we have more conclusive data about how life might have arisen naturally then this is going to be taught in science class and theology or philosophy classes aren't going to change that and any criticism thereof has to come from the scientific corner and not the theological or philosophical field.
And there's the sticker.
Science proclaims that the evolutionary origin of life theory is scientifically 'true', yet hold itself only to its OWN standard of proof.
It becomes an elaborate game of 'Because I say so'.
Science cannot *prove* life began as an accident any more than a creationist can *prove* it was on purpose.
It's a stalemate.