teach science, not faith

[caddyman]

Were I a religious man, I might be tempted to believe one of these "End is nigh" cults that seem to pop up out of the woodwork and hang around until the due date has been and gone. Certainly the world is getting madder by the day and my already pitiful attempts at comprehension are being stretched further.

I am quite happy for people to have religion; many of my friends agree to disagree with me on the subject and we get along fine. Now however, some members of the Royal Society are suggesting that creationism should be taught in science classes. They say that it is counter productive to teach pupils something that dismisses a belief in the literal account of the scriptures.

Well, quite apart from how true it is that children believe anything that doesn't already reflect their parents' thoughts, which itself is debateable; "Creationism" clearly has no part in a science class. I find myself agreeing with the government view on this, and that in itself is enough to make me break out in a cold sweat. Creationism, if it is taught at all, should be included in religious education. Religious education itself should consist of a discussion of the world's religions and a comparative analysis of their beliefs. It should not seek to push one over the other and ideally, would be taught as part of a course on anthropology.

Creationism may, or may not, be a 'legitimate world view' but it's NOT science and should not be treated as such. It is a religious point of view, plain and simple. If a church wishes to preach it and people wish to listen and believe, fine. That's what church is for. That's what Sunday School is for.

If religious dogma is to be taught as hard science, then I want the Tooth Fairy, Father Christmas and the March Hare included.

People are allowed to believe what they want; but everything in its place. Creationism is not science, it is faith.

Comments

[ellefurtle.livejournal.com]

Damn straight. I find it breath-taking that anyone is even considering it. NOT SCIENCE.

Not true either, but that is my opinion.

[jfs.livejournal.com]

I read that in the paper Metro this morning, alongside an article on quantum entanglement which contained this absolute gem:

"Einstein has proven that nothing can travel at the speed of light"

Other than light, obviously.

We need more science being taught in schools, not less.

(Though to be fair to the Metro, a full page, mostly well written article on differing theories from quantum physics, not written as a joke, is a pretty good thing to see in the morning.)

[ash1977law.livejournal.com]

I went to a CofE school and we never had it raised at all. We had some posters comparing various world creation myths up in the RE room and that was that. Everything else was hard science and scholarly investigation of texts.


(CofE: Church of England as well you know, and sadly not Cult of Ecstacy)

[w00hoo.livejournal.com]

Listening to Radio 4 coming in to work this morning they were talking about how President Scorsese (sorry, Sarcosi) has been talking about the possibility of adding religion back in to the social side of French government. And there was me thinking there was one thing (the all important exception to the rule) that I could admire the French for...

[fen-wolfchile.livejournal.com]

The problem with the creationists is that they believe, they really do.
So to us what they believe in is purely religious, to them it is hard science, and you can not change their minds short of brain washing and mind altering drugs.
The scary thing is that these people are probably pretty decent inteligent people, they just have faith to the point of being blinkered.

[ed-fortune.livejournal.com]

I believe my stand on this is to respond with something like:

"Well, Creationism is a different way of thinking to Evolution, and needs its own place in the classroom. Not in science class, because that's like teaching someone to unicycle and bake a cake at the same time.

However, if were going to do that, we may as well teach pure mathematical thinking, both western and eastern philosphy and of course, teach kids how to think for themselves. Surely, you want a nation of free-thinkers, and not a nation of religious zealots? Don't you?"

I this point, I'm probably about to raise my voice. Or at least an eyebrow.

[ladkyis.livejournal.com]

They have a right to their opinion. They do not have the right to foist that opinion on me or my descendants. I will fight tooth and nail for anyone's right to be able to say what they like - and accept the consequences of their words.
I do not think religious instruction has a place in mainstream education. It should be taught in the places where people go to worship. I think that children should be taught about the differences and similarities between the religions. The only problem here is that most religions and cults do not want their followers to know about other religions - just in case....
Religion is the direct and indirect cause of all wars and ......... no I won't start on that I get to hot under the collar and it takes days to calm down because I keep thinking of things I should have said. Going on my holidays tomorrow so want to stay calm.

[fractalgeek.livejournal.com]

I have absolutely no problem with it being tought - as part of a course in rational, logical thinking. Proof, theory, proposition, supposition, sufficient evidence, strucutral consistency, testing & the like. Then decide.

My position as an agnositic is that I cannot logically disprove that (a) god has created the universe to be (a) full of evidence of consistent developement at every level we are learning to look and (b) has no measurable evidence of creation by fiat. If they were omnipotent, they could...

[fractalgeek.livejournal.com]

Try "Taught"...

[thomryng.livejournal.com]

Creationism is not only bad science, it's bad religion too. At least, that's what the monks taught me in school.

[smokingboot.livejournal.com]

Creationism is not science ergo I see no reason to teach it in a science class. It's a belief system and therefore belongs in a class dedicated to belief systems, i.e. religious education. Anyone who disputes this with me will face the wrath of my flying nun.

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

Has someone chopped the lower half off the Flying Nun?

[smokingboot.livejournal.com]

See, if you had been taught proper science in school, you would know that she couldn't fly chopped in half because God would be very annoyed.

What in the name of Jim Dale..?

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

I assume then, that she is spinning her freakishly short legs like a propeller?

Re: What in the name of Jim Dale..?

[ash1977law.livejournal.com]

No, she is propelling herself with hot air.

[ladkyis.livejournal.com]

Good grief! everyone knows that nuns glide. I've seen the blues Brothers I know

[boredinsomniac.livejournal.com]

I'm just glad to hear we're not the only country that has to deal with this. *sniff* we've felt so alone...