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The intent of this thread is not, repeat not, to discuss evolution vs. creationism. As far as I am concerned, creationists have consistently been nothing but wrong and in fact pose a threat to the education of children and to the well-being of those who would expose the lies of creationists. Rather, I'm looking to find out how common creationism is in countries outside the United States, in the experiences of the readers of this forum.
I've often heard that creationism was only common in the United States and I personally knew several creationists. However, I recently moved to Australia and have met several people who question evolution. I was upset to learn that creationists have had notable success in Queensland, even winning a court battle to allow creation "science" to be taught in school. I was futher dismayed to read about Ian Pilcher, an Australian professor who went bankrupt due to a lawsuit brought against him by a creationist group. (Australia has really bad defamation laws IMO.) Pilcher also claims to have received death threats from the creationists. The Australian creationist movement is said to have been imported from the United States, suggesting to me that American fundamentalist groups pose an international threat.
I also recall that quite recently there was a controversy in Britain when the media publicized that Emmanuel College was teaching creationism in science class.
I wish to make clear that I am an US citizen and consider myself a patriot, although I dislike certain customs common to my fellow citizens. I also have no problem with teaching origin myths in public school so long as it is in a religion or literature class.
My questions are:
Have you seen any signs of creationism (aka creation science aka intelligent design) gaining currency in countries other than the United States? Are creationist magazines sold or given away in your country? Have creationist organizations held lectures (often, as I understand it, under the pretence of discussing evolutionary theory) or rallies? Have creationists pressured schools in your country to include creationism in science classes or to put disclaimers in biology texts?
Any comments on the topic (so long as they are not attacks on evolution, take those to another thread or better yet go read a book by, say, Stephen Jay Gould) would be appreciated.
Thank you for reading.
I've often heard that creationism was only common in the United States and I personally knew several creationists. However, I recently moved to Australia and have met several people who question evolution. I was upset to learn that creationists have had notable success in Queensland, even winning a court battle to allow creation "science" to be taught in school. I was futher dismayed to read about Ian Pilcher, an Australian professor who went bankrupt due to a lawsuit brought against him by a creationist group. (Australia has really bad defamation laws IMO.) Pilcher also claims to have received death threats from the creationists. The Australian creationist movement is said to have been imported from the United States, suggesting to me that American fundamentalist groups pose an international threat.
I also recall that quite recently there was a controversy in Britain when the media publicized that Emmanuel College was teaching creationism in science class.
I wish to make clear that I am an US citizen and consider myself a patriot, although I dislike certain customs common to my fellow citizens. I also have no problem with teaching origin myths in public school so long as it is in a religion or literature class.
My questions are:
Have you seen any signs of creationism (aka creation science aka intelligent design) gaining currency in countries other than the United States? Are creationist magazines sold or given away in your country? Have creationist organizations held lectures (often, as I understand it, under the pretence of discussing evolutionary theory) or rallies? Have creationists pressured schools in your country to include creationism in science classes or to put disclaimers in biology texts?
Any comments on the topic (so long as they are not attacks on evolution, take those to another thread or better yet go read a book by, say, Stephen Jay Gould) would be appreciated.
Thank you for reading.
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