Creationism to be taught in British science lessons

[Illyrien]

If a form of Intelligent Design is to be taught, who gets to deside which one is to be taught? Who do those christians they are claiming that only their ID theory is valid.

Afterall, everybody should be taught the Truth that The Flying Spaghetti Monster created the Universe. In the very beginning He created a Mountain, Trees and a Midget....

check out http://www.venganza.org/

[Urban Ranger]

Oh yeah, the FSM. And the Giant Dancing Banana. Don't forget the GDB.

[Spiffor]

This is an excellent idea.

They treat creationsim as a historical topic, that belongs to the history of the approach on life. The students are likely to have a better understanding of the evolutionary concepts if they get to know the broad historical context. And creationsim does belong to that historical context.

That's the whole "history of concepts" thing, where you even teach about theories that have been discarded since then. In economics, students are taught about Malthusianism. In sociology, students are taught about Comte's crappy ideas. Many sciences occasionally teach about the ideas of the early Greeks, and their flaws. I don't see why there should be a toboo about it in biology.

[Pekka]

Admiral, excellent point.. But this is ENGLAND we're talking about. The land of mixed genes. The only good thing coming out of there is football and beer.

[Bill3000]

Many sciences occasionally teach about the ideas of the early Greeks, and their flaws. I don't see why there should be a toboo about it in biology.

The problem is that there isn't people today who advocate, for example, Aristotelean physics. It would be fine if Creationism wasn't seriously considered by the public.

[Gibsie]

Well, it generally isn't, in England.

[Odin]

Originally posted by Bill3000

The problem is that there isn't people today who advocate, for example, Aristotelean physics. It would be fine if Creationism wasn't seriously considered by the public.

Also, if this was done in the US, it would just inflame the fundies' martyr complex if creationism was simply treated a part of the history of Biology like how catastrophism is part of the history of Geology and Ptolemaic geocentrism is taught as part of the history of Astronomy.

[Dauphin]

Approximately 50% of people in England are declared atheist or agnostic. The largest two Christian denominations in England, the Catholic and Anglican Churches, which make up 40% of the population's stated affiliations, both support evolution.

I'm not clear on who exactly champions Creationism in England, or if anyone can really hold such a title?

[Gibsie]

Well that Ron Liddle guy managed to find enough insane Christians to interview for a recent Channel 4 documentary (including a headmaster whose personal views were that Creation may have happened! Horrors!), but they aren't that pervasive, to my knowledge. If pervasive is a word.

[Provost Harrison]

Originally posted by Pekka
But this is ENGLAND we're talking about. The land of mixed genes...

Curses to us for not being inbred and having genetic diversity

[Pekka]

That's what I meant, that you are inbred. I guess I said it wrong.. but it's being in an island, and what were you supposed to do.. mix with the French? Ich don't think zo!!

[chequita guevara]

They mixed with the Vikings and the French . . and the Germans and Romans and now the Indians and West Indians.

[Dauphin]

How good is your history of the British Isles Pekka? You missed out on the fact the English are a mongrel race of a thousand different breeds of marauders and shopkeepers?

[Pekka]

Yes, this is because I was so serious.

[kittenOFchaos]

Well, unless they are observing every lesson I teach then this science teacher for one won't be teaching Creationism, who will know? Don't think any pupils will ask "Sir, when we doing Creationism?"

I'd hope most other Science Teachers would do the same.

On the other hand it could be fun to mock Creationism and Intelligent design for a lesson or two in the name of Education...