Wikipedia:Don't "teach the controversy"

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Wikipedia:Don't teach the controversy
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Well-meaning Wikipedians, fully aware of our

reliable sources
.

"

Teach the controversy" is not a general statement to apply to remaining neutral about a subject of social or research conflict. It's the catchphrase of a specific group of anti-evolution lobbyists, the Discovery Institute, to promote false balance by injecting creationism
into the curricula of American public schools.

Even if it weren't a misappropriated slogan of religious pseudo-science, the idea is off-base anyway, for multiple reasons.

Instead, neutrally document the conflict

Wikipedia does, indeed, have a duty to

Wikipedia is not a textbook, guide, tutorial, handbook, or how-to
of any kind.

Nor is every such conflict in the sourcing a "controversy"; the assumption that there is one is considered

due weight
to more reliable sources.

If there is in fact a genuine controversy in the field in question, which we might write about as a controversy, sources from and about that field will tell us that this is the case. If they do not, then simply note the conflict ("According to.... However, according to...."), and bring it up on the article's talk page. Chances are, some other editors know where to get more information, and a consensus discussion can determine the weight that particular sources should be afforded. If there's an accuracy dispute between scholars, it is described by Wikipedia without taking part in the dispute, or manufacturing a controversy.

See also