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May 27, 2015

Scottish Government: creationism banned from science class

CAMPAIGNERS who called for an official ban on teaching creationism in schools have welcomed a "clear statement" from a Scottish Government minister it should not be taught in science classes.
The Scottish Secular Society (SSS) lodged a petition with the Scottish Parliament calling for guidance to be issued to bar the presentation of creationism as a viable alternative to evolution in schools.
Earlier this month, MSPs on the Education and Culture Committee ruled out introducing new guidance, saying that schools should rely on teachers exercising their professional judgment, rather than introducing legislation.
However the SSS have pointed to a letter sent to the committee by Alasdair Allan, minister for learning and science, which stated there are already a number of safeguards in place designed to ensure young people receive a balanced education.
The letter added: "Guidance provided by Education Scotland, set out in the "Principles and Practice" papers and the "Experiences and Outcomes" documentation for each of the eight curriculum areas does not identify Creationism as a scientific principle. It should therefore not be taught as part of science lessons."
Chemistry Professor Paul Braterman, scientific advisor for the SSS, said the Scottish Government's official position had previously stopped short of giving any guidance about the teaching of creationism in science lessons.
He said: "Now we have, at last, a clear statement from the responsible minister that creationism should not be taught as science."
However he said he still had concerns about how creationism is presented in religious and moral studies classes in schools in Scotland.

2 comments:

  1. Are any other evolutionary theories allowed other than neo-Darwinism? There are several theories any of which could be correct. Since Darwin's sainthood has been established by the Church of Darwin no other theories are allowed.

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  2. Will the persecution of Christians solely because of their own beliefs ever end?

    ReplyDelete