Wednesday, August 06, 2008

British official, operating without law, proposes teaching creationism as science

A British official is calling for the teaching of creationism alongside evolution despite the fact that the country has not passed a Science Education Act like that recently passed in Louisiana. Critics of the Louisiana legislation, SB 733, claimed that the law, which calls for the application of critical thinking, logical analysis, and objectivity in the teaching of science subjects, would bring on a flood of creationist propaganda in Louisiana schools.

So far, however, there have been no reports of any significant creationist activity in Louisiana schools, while in Britain, which is limping along with no such law, is apparently way ahead of Louisiana.

How can this be? Do the British not understand that they first need to pass a bill requiring objectivity in science instruction before they can teach creationism? Here we go and help them in two world wars and they go and do this. It's enough to make the critics of SB733 look bad.

Louisiana passed the bill, which detractors opposed on the grounds that it would open the floodgates to the teaching of Genesis in public schools. Part of the concern could have stemmed from the fact that it could result in students learning about how Noah took 2 animals of each kind aboard the Ark, and public school children can't count that high.

We need to put Barbara Forrest, the philosopher of science who led the opposition to SB733, on a plane and send her over to explain to these people proper procedure on this kind of thing.

They can even keep her for a while.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Martin,

Britain is technically a theocracy, since the Head of State is also the head of the church, so there is no constitutional bar to religious instruction in public schools. Besides, isn't the Louisiana bill just another example of the "critical thinking" skills hoax you derided in a previous thread?

Anonymous said...

MC: So far, however, there have been no reports of any significant creationist activity in Louisiana schools

Perhaps because the schools are closed for summer vacation?


MC: Part of the concern could have stemmed from the fact that it could result in students learning about how Noah took 2 animals of each kind aboard the Ark, and public school children can't count that high.

Only count to two? Looks like more reading comprehension problems.

Genesis 7:2–3:
‘Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female. Of fowls also of the air by sevens, the male and the female; to keep seed alive upon the face of all the earth.’

jah