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But if they don't have the tools to critically evaluate and analyze the things they're being told, they'll simply have to accept or reject what they're being told on faith, and I don't think either of us are interested in that. If they don't have the tools to compare the various theories, then you might as well limit the discussion of origins to one single sentence - "the origin of the first life form is a controversial subject, with many competing scientific theories", because that's all they're going to get out of it anyway, no matter how much material you present to them.

You can talk all day long about the various theories and whatever, but if they don't have the tools to understand those theories, why bother? Just make that statement on day one, and then follow it with "Now, let's move on to evolution." People who want to know more about the subject can go on to college and learn about it, just like people who want to know more about calculus or geology or kinetic chemistry can go on to college and learn about it.