Fundamentalist TV station censors Attenborough over evolution

source: NSS Newsline October 5th

When a Dutch religious TV station with a creationist agenda showed David Attenborough's wildlife documentary series The Life of Mammals it edited out all references to evolution.

Evangelical Broadcasting made the changes to the BBC series when it was shown on Dutch TV this summer. In one example, Sir David's commentary was changed from: "We will look at the lives of our closest relatives" to "we will also take a look at the apes". Fossils are mentioned without the dates given in the BBC script. Several scenes with Sir David have been cut out of the Dutch version because they contradicted the fundamentalist view of creation.

Sir David Attenborough said he was "unhappy that they should change it because I meant what I said when I said it."

The BBC usually allows broadcasters to make minor edits to its programmes to remove references that might be "inappropriate" in a particular cultural setting. Evangelical Broadcasting, therefore, is not seen as being in breach of its contract.
See how the evangelicals doctored the series
See also: Council of Europe condemns teaching of creationism

UK Teachers 'fear evolution lessons'

reposted from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7028639.stm

Teachers 'fear evolution lessons'

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.

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 Professor Reiss

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.

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."

Unscience

reposted from: http://cectic.com/050.html

Clergy Letter Project - Christians in support of Evolution & science

reposted from:-

For too long, the misperception that science and religion are inevitably in conflict has created unnecessary division and confusion, especially concerning the teaching of evolution. I wanted to let the public know that numerous clergy from most denominations have tremendous respect for evolutionary theory and have embraced it as a core component of human knowledge, fully harmonious with religious faith.

Evolution? Impossible.

reposted from http://www.irreligion.org
via stumbleupon.com

Here’s a delightful diagram of maturing fetuses of various types.

We clearly have nothing in common.

Texas Board of Education Unlikely to Include Creationism

reposted from Atheist Revolution

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Texas Board of Education Unlikely to Include Creationism

Despite the presence of several creationists on the Texas State Board of Education, it appears that ID will not enter the science classroom. This is good news for Texas children and defenders of science education. Teaching crap and calling it science does not change the fact that it is still crap. Fortunately, board members appeared to understand this simply truth.

Christian extremists have long sought to replace science education with religious indoctrination. If science contradicts biblical teaching (and it most certainly does), then science must go. When it became clear that this was not going to happen, they tried to insure that creationism would at least be included in the educational curriculum, going so far as to claim that it should be taught as an alternative to evolution.

According to The Dallas Morning News,

A solid majority of the State Board of Education, which will rewrite the science curriculum for public schools next year, is against the idea, even though several members say they are creationists and have serious doubts about Charles Darwin's theory that humans evolved from lower life forms.

Sadly, we can't celebrate the defeat of creationism just yet. Even though it is nice to see Texas board members understanding that creationism (in its various forms) is not science, this is merely one battle in a much larger war.

"Creationism and intelligent design don't belong in our science classes," said Board of Education Chairman Don McLeroy, who described himself as a creationist. "Anything taught in science has to have consensus in the science community – and intelligent design does not."

Absolutely. It is a national disgrace to see that Texas Governor Rick Perry and President Bush approve of creationism being taught in public schools. Before we praise these school board members for making the right decision, we must realize that they may also be determined to amplify controversy where little exists.

And while the board apparently won't take up intelligent design, several members expect a battle over how evolution is treated in science textbooks, although that won't be up for debate until 2011. Mr. McLeroy and others say they'll push for books to include a more thorough examination of weaknesses in the theory of evolution.

Clearly, more work is needed to make sure our nation's children receive the science education they need.

Cartoons from Evolution: a journal of nature 1927-1938

by ucl.ac.uk

Reposted from: richardDawkins via
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/sts/cain/projects/ejn/ejn_comics/

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