Is Islam going to affect all aspects of education in Britain and the rest of the civilised world?

Is there nothing that the cold, clammy tentacles of the Religion of Peace™ is not touching in the lives of secular, democratic nations?

The teaching of evolution is becoming increasingly difficult in UK schools because of the rise of creationism, a leading scientist is warning.

Head of science at London’s Institute of Education Professor Michael Reiss says some teachers, fearful of entering the debate, avoid the subject totally.

This could leave pupils with gaps in their scientific knowledge, he says.

Prof Reiss says the rise of creationism is partly down to the large increase in Muslim pupils in UK schools.

The days have long gone when science teachers could ignore creationism when teaching about origins. He said: “The number of Muslim students has grown considerably in the last 10 to 20 years and a higher proportion of Muslim families do not accept evolutionary theory compared with Christian families.

“That’s one reason why it’s more of an issue in schools.”

Prof Reiss estimates that one in 10 people in the UK now believes in literal interpretations of religious creation stories – whether they are based on the Bible or the Koran.

Many more teachers he met at scientific meetings were telling him they encountered more pupils with creationist views, he said.

“The days have long gone when science teachers could ignore creationism when teaching about origins.”

Instead, teachers should tackle the issue head-on, whilst trying not to alienate students, he argues in a new book.

‘Not equally valid’

“By not dismissing their beliefs, we can ensure that these students learn what evolutionary theory really says – and give everyone the understanding to respect the views of others,” he added.

His book; Teaching about Scientific Origins: Taking Account of Creationism, gives science teachers advice on how to deal with the “dilemma”.

“Further discussion of creationism should occur in religious education as it is a belief system, not one based on science” “- Hilary Leevers, Campaign for Science and Engineering

He supports new government guidelines which say creationism should not be discussed in science classes unless it is raised by pupils.

“The number of Muslim students has grown considerably in the last 10 to 20 years and a higher proportion of Muslim families do not accept evolutionary theory compared with Christian families.

“That’s one reason why it’s more of an issue in schools.”

But Prof Reiss argues that there is an educational value in comparing creationist ideas with scientific theories like Darwin’s theory of evolution because they demonstrate how science, unlike religious beliefs, can be tested.

The scientist, who is also a Church of England priest, adds that any teaching should not give the impression that creationism and the theory of evolution are equally valid scientifically.

Dr Hilary Leevers, of the Campaign for Science and Engineering, said science teachers would be teaching evolution not creationism and so should not need a book to tell them how to “delicately handle controversy between a scientific theory and a belief”.

“The author suggests that science teachers cannot ignore creationism when teaching origins, but the opposite is true,” she said.

Teachers could discuss how creationism differed from scientific theory if a student brought up the subject, but any further discussion should occur in religious education lessons, she said.

A Department for Children, Schools and Families spokesman said it had recently published guidelines to teachers on the issue.

“Creationism and intelligent design are not scientific theories nor testable as scientific fact – and have no place in the science curriculum. “But we advise science teachers that when questions about creationism come up in lessons, it provides an opportunity to explain or explore what makes a scientific theory.”

As regular readers of this blog know well, we fully respect faith and consistently speak up for adherents of all faiths (notwithstanding the many problems we have with Islam). We believe fervently in free speech. However, we need to make one thing abundantly clear:

We also believe in secularism and in a strongly-defined separation of Church and State – but are wholly opposed to the new phenomenon of militant atheism – which, in our view is merely a new form of intolerance.

We believe that there is a place for open discussion about such things, perhaps by church and humanist groups or debating societies; but essentially we hold that creationsism is dangerous, anti-science nonsense – and that it should be kept out of schools.

Although some creationists would disagree, It is possible to hold a faith and live with scientifically proven concepts – resolving seemingly conflicting ideas and holding diverse opinions is part and parcel of being a human adult, after all – whether you’re religious or not.

We believe that creationism is a chimera, i.e. there is nothing to argue against – and thereby lies the difficulty some find in resisting the tempting comfort of the creepy proponents of ‘Intelligent Design’ and its related arguments.

But the fact is that Creationists have yet to come up with a credible basis on which creationism and so-called Intelligent Design are even remotely viable theories. Their entire position is based on the gainsaying and attempts to discredit current science; which has stood the test of time and the rigours of evidential proof and peer review.

We’re more than happy for them to beaver away until such time as they may be able to do this – and then we’d gladly give them a debate. But in the meantime – we need to keep this insidious and cynical branch of social engineering away from our children.

[Source: BBC online]


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