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  • Archbishop of Canterbury rejects creationism



    Archbishop: stop teaching creationism

    Williams backs science over Bible

    Stephen Bates, religious affairs correspondent
    Tuesday March 21, 2006
    The Guardian

    The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has stepped into the controversy between religious fundamentalists and scientists by saying that he does not believe that creationism - the Bible-based account of the origins of the world - should be taught in schools.

    Giving his first, wide-ranging, interview at Lambeth Palace, the archbishop was emphatic in his criticism of creationism being taught in the classroom, as is happening in two city academies founded by the evangelical Christian businessman Sir Peter Vardy and several other schools.

    Article continues
    "I think creationism is ... a kind of category mistake, as if the Bible were a theory like other theories ... if creationism is presented as a stark alternative theory alongside other theories I think there's just been a jarring of categories ... My worry is creationism can end up reducing the doctrine of creation rather than enhancing it," he said.

    The debate over creationism or its slightly more sophisticated offshoot, so-called "intelligent design" (ID) which argues that creation is so complex that an intelligent - religious - force must have directed it, has provoked divisions in Britain but nothing like the vehemence or politicisation of the debate in the US where, under pressure from the religious right, some states are considering giving ID equal prominence to Darwinism, the generally scientifically accepted account of the evolution of species. Most scientists believe that ID is little more than an attempt to smuggle fundamentalist Christianity into science teaching.

    States from Ohio to California are considering placing ID it on the curriculum, with President George Bush telling reporters last August that "both sides ought to be properly taught ... so people can understand what the debate is about." The archbishop's remarks place him firmly on the side of science.

    Dr Williams spoke of his determination to hold the third-largest Christian denomination together in its row over the place of gay clergy. He was also highly critical of parts of the church in Africa and said he did not wish to be seen as "comic vicar to the nation", speaking out on issues where he can make no difference.

    Speaking of the church's situation in Africa, the archbishop issued snubs to two of the region's archbishops. He described the position in central Africa, where Archbishop Bernard Malango has just absolved without trial Bishop Norbert Kunonga of Harare, accused by his parishioners of incitement to murder, as "dismal and deeply problematic".

    Dr Williams also criticised Archbishop Peter Akinola, leader of the largest single national church in the Anglican communion, in Nigeria who has been accused of encouraging violence against Muslims during recent rioting by warning that Christian youth could retaliate against them. Dr Williams claimed the African primate had not made himself sufficiently clear: "He did not mean to stir up the violence ... I think he meant to issue a warning which certainly has been taken as a threat, an act of provocation."

    Speaking of the gay debate which threatens to split the church, Dr Williams insisted he would continue to try to hold the communion together. "I can only say that I think I have got to try ... For us to break apart in an atmosphere of deep mistrust, fierce recrimination and mutual misunderstanding is really not going to be in anybody's good in the long run." But he accepted there might come a moment where the Anglican Communion says "we can't continue, we can't continue with this".
    Once again, the UK shows its superiority over those damn colonials and indeed, the rest of the world
    mssv.net - After Our Time - Six to Start

  • #2
    the real story should be; Cardinal Has A Brain!

    No offense Ben
    Monkey!!!

    Comment


    • #3
      Creationism isn't even based on Genesis

      Comment


      • #4
        Ehrm - no - theis guy is pretty clever, but he has no brain. He doesn't say that creationism/ID is BS, but that there is a risk that these theories may pollute the real truth wich actually is creationism/ID.

        What worries this guy is that the truth should be prophaned (?) because the real teaching (wich the church delivers) may be equalled with common science and thereby something that are up for debate.
        With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.

        Steven Weinberg

        Comment


        • #5
          Ehrm is a funny werd
          Monkey!!!

          Comment


          • #6
            Yep, and quite difficult to spell correctly (guess that MOBIUS are going to bash me)
            With or without religion, you would have good people doing good things and evil people doing evil things. But for good people to do evil things, that takes religion.

            Steven Weinberg

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Berzerker
              Creationism isn't even based on Genesis
              Yes it is... if you listen to the YEC's.
              (\__/) 07/07/1937 - Never forget
              (='.'=) "Claims demand evidence; extraordinary claims demand extraordinary evidence." -- Carl Sagan
              (")_(") "Starting the fire from within."

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              • #8
                Anglican/Episcopalian and Catholicism have always been against creationism. They were the first ones to preach the big bang theory after all.
                "Yay Apoc!!!!!!!" - bipolarbear
                "At least there were some thoughts went into Apocalypse." - Urban Ranger
                "Apocalype was a great game." - DrSpike
                "In Apoc, I had one soldier who lasted through the entire game... was pretty cool. I like apoc for that reason, the soldiers are a bit more 'personal'." - General Ludd

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                • #9
                  As you can see from the article we have more pressing problems than the creation/evolution debate.
                  "I say shoot'em all and let God sort it out in the end!

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                  • #10
                    the real story should be; Cardinal Has A Brain!

                    No offense Ben
                    Eh, Anglicans.

                    Who cares about them.
                    Scouse Git (2) La Fayette Adam Smith Solomwi and Loinburger will not be forgotten.
                    "Remember the night we broke the windows in this old house? This is what I wished for..."
                    2015 APOLYTON FANTASY FOOTBALL CHAMPION!

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                    • #11
                      Weren't you one of them before you defected to the papal team?
                      Try http://wordforge.net/index.php for discussion and debate.

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                      • #12
                        common sense
                        "The Christian way has not been tried and found wanting, it has been found to be hard and left untried" - GK Chesterton.

                        "The most obvious predicition about the future is that it will be mostly like the past" - Alain de Botton

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                        • #13
                          You think Ben let's some dude tell him what he should think or believe in? I mean an individual like that? I don't care if the president says 'Pekka, I want you'... she's not getting me. Period.
                          In da butt.
                          "Do not worry if others do not understand you. Instead worry if you do not understand others." - Confucius
                          THE UNDEFEATED SUPERCITIZEN w:4 t:2 l:1 (DON'T ASK!)
                          "God is dead" - Nietzsche. "Nietzsche is dead" - God.

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by C0ckney
                            common sense
                            "I work in IT so I'd be buggered without a computer" - Words of wisdom from Provost Harrison
                            "You can be wrong AND jewish" - Wiglaf :love:

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                            • #15
                              Re: Archbishop of Canterbury rejects creationism

                              Originally posted by Adrian Hon
                              Once again, the UK shows its superiority over those damn colonials and indeed, the rest of the world
                              Precoisely my thinkings!

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