Evolution theory is disappearing from textbooks because it contradicts the Bible
The state of Arizona in the United States is revising its educational guidelines and is removing all references to
Arizona state education standards see evolution deleted | Ars Technica
https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/05/arizona-official-waters-down-states-science-education-standards/
In the United States, each state has its own educational system, and each state has the right to decide which textbooks to use in classes. As a result, local characteristics are sometimes reflected in the content of textbooks.
Arizona Superintendent Diane Douglas issued new educational guidelines, and 30 educators reviewed textbooks to comply with these guidelines. As a result, references to the theory of evolution that had been included in previous textbooks were removed, and wording was changed, such as replacing 'evolution' with 'change over time.'
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The changes to the educational standards, which are reflected in the content of textbooks, appear to go beyond the wording level. For example, the educational objective 'Gather and communicate evidence on how the process of natural selection provides an explanation of how new species can evolve' was changed to '(providing evidence on) the processes by which a species may change over time in response to environmental conditions.' These changes could potentially affect students' scientific understanding of the evolutionary process.
The reason for the creation of educational standards that exclude evolution is that Superintendent Douglas and many of the educators involved in creating the textbooks belong to the evangelical Christian denomination . For evangelicals, who are faithful to the Bible, evolution is unacceptable because it contradicts the Bible's teaching that 'God created living things.' This religious view is reflected at the educational level, which is the problem.
While respecting the religious beliefs of others is of course an important value, there is considerable debate as to whether religious beliefs should be given priority even when they contradict scientific knowledge. For publishers who want to sell as many textbooks as possible across the United States, the textbook standards of large states like California and Texas are seen as a major issue, while the content of textbooks in smaller states like Arizona receives less attention.
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