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An atheist parent asks: should Creationism should
be examined in the Science Class? In the midst of all the Darwin
celebrations, many questions are being raised, once again, about
creationism, Darwinism and what to tell the children (from the Times
School Gate) - link |
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School
Matters - Adam Rutherford on Evolution and Creationism:
Dr Adam Rutherford investigates the idea that the teaching of evolution
is being threatened by a rise in creationism amongst religious students.
Rutherford speaks to the former Director of Education at the Royal
Society, Reverend Professor Michael Reiss to get his views on the
subject. Rutherford explores the controversy and learns that science
teachers are being challenged and distracted by increasing questions
about creationism and intelligent design, or avoiding the issues
altogether rather than risk upsetting religious sensitivities -
link |
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Michael
Reiss and the Royal Society: Debate continues about the
resignation of Professor Michael Reiss, the Royal Society's former
director of education. Reiss gave a speech to this year's Festival
of Science, on September 11, titled "Should creationism be
a part of the science curriculum?" This debacle does not seem
to have done much for the reputation of Britain's oldest and most
respected scientific institution. The Royal Society's official statement
suggests that Reiss's speech was open to misinterpretation (like
most speeches by intelligent people on complex subjects?) and that
he had inadvertently damaged the Society's reputation. Reiss has
now stepped down from his position at the Society and returned to
his regular job as professor of science education at the Institute
of Education in London - link |
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Creationism
'no place in schools: Leading scientists have warned against
the teaching of creationism in schools, saying pupils must be clear
that science backs the theory of evolution. The Royal Society statement
comes after claims that some schools are promoting creationism alongside
evolution - link |
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A debate on the nature of the new
Physics courses (Acc. Feb, 2008) states "...
the new physics course allows for plenty of debate about science,
but that "pupils do not learn meaningful information about
the topics they debate". In its defence, the AQA says: "Our
specifications meet the new requirements for 'science' set by our
regulator, the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, and are
fully accredited - link |
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Teachers
'fear evolution lessons' (Oct 4th, 2007):
Creationism is not taught as a subject in schools 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 - link |
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Papal
stargazers reach for heaven (Oct 1st, 2007) : For the second
time in seven years the Vatican is hosting a scientific conference
for astronomers. More than 200 scientists from 26 countries including
the United States, Britain, Italy, Germany, Russia, and Japan have
gathered in Rome for a five-day meeting on disc galaxies - link |
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Channel
4: Talking point (Dec. 18th, 2006): The trouble with Atheism
is a Channel 4 production.In the past atheists were often persecuted
in God-fearing societies. Today they pose an open challenge to religious
philosophies. Is a society without God a society without a moral
code? Or do human beings create their own system of ethics? For
more and your chance to contribute see the Channel
4 microsite. |
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God.
Who knows? (Dec 4th, 2006): With religion
increasingly polarised, is there any benefit in not knowing if there
is a higher power? Mark Vernon - an ex-vicar - explains why agnosticism
is his creed - link |
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Archbishop
speaks out - BBC news online (March 21st, 2006): Schools
should not be teaching the Bible-based version of the origins of
the world, the Archbishop of Canterbury has said. Asked in an interview
with the Guardian if he was comfortable with the teaching of creationism
in schools, Dr Rowan Williams said: "Ah, not very." However,
he said this did not mean that it should not be discussed - more |
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British
scientist wins $1m prize - BBC News online (March 15th, 2006): A
British scientist has won the world's biggest cash award, the annual
$1.4m (£800,000) Templeton Prize. Cambridge professor John
D Barrow has written on the Universe's structure, challenging the
belief that science or religion have all the answers - more |
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Churches
urged to back evolution - BBC News online (Feb 20th, 2006): US
scientists have called on mainstream religious communities to help
them fight policies that undermine the teaching of evolution. The
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) hit out
at the "intelligent design" movement at its annual meeting
in Missouri. - more |
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New
tactics in the evolutionary war - Times Educational Supplement (Jan
20th, 2006): A California school district has settled out
of court with parents who sued its decision to incorporate the religious
based theory of "intelligent design" into philosophy lessons.
The school has pledged never again to offer a course that, "promotes
or endorses creationism, creations science or intelligent design".
This case is seen as a litmus test of course cases which are in
progress all over the US. |
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Victors
hail US evolution ruling - BBC News online (Dec 21st, 2005): A
US court decision to ban the teaching of "intelligent design"
has been hailed by anti-creationism campaigners. A federal judge
ruled in favour of 11 parents in Dover, Pennsylvania, who argued
that Darwinian evolution must be taught as fact in biology lessons.
School administrators had argued that life on Earth was too complex
to have evolved on its own. Intelligent design activists criticised
the ruling, saying it would marginalise beliefs based on religion.
For those fighting the policy of the Dover school board, the judicial
ruling offered a boost to the separation of church and state. ...
more |
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When
science meets God - BBC News online (Dec 2nd, 2005): The
world today is dominated by science, but faith has not withered
away. Robert Winston, respected scientist and committed Jew, examines
the relationship between science and religion ... more |
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A
question of creation - BBC News online (Aug 15th, 2005): In
his weekly opinion column, Harold Evans considers the current fight
in the US over evolution, which spreads from classrooms to courtrooms.
President Bush is down on his ranch in Crawford doing what he likes
best for relaxation - attacking timber with a chainsaw. As a warm-up,
just before he decamped to the Texas White House for the rest of
the summer, he sawed into a leafy, living branch of science - Darwinian
evolution. ... more |
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A
point of view - BBC feature (March, 2005): In his weekly
opinion column, Brian Walden considers the gap between science and
religion - and what this might mean for the future of humankind
- more |
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An
interview with Richard Dawkins - BBC features (April, 2004): This
link to the BBC site is an interview with Professor Dawkins holder
of the Charles Simonyi Chair of Public Understanding of Science
in Oxford, as such he takes a high profile role in the exposition
and elucidation of scientific ideas in our culture - more |
