Informal
Origins Education
When we look at informal "origins education" in popular media — in documentaries, radio features, TV shows, movies, newspapers, magazines, novels, websites, and elsewhere — unfortunately we often see only two views represented: young-earth creationism (as THE Christian View) and old-earth evolution (as THE atheist view). It's framed as a "religion versus science" battle — "in this corner we have the Christians with Genesis 1, and in the other corner are the atheists with science" — and science is the noble hero being opposed by simple-minded religious bigots. This two-model view is encouraged by both extremes, by young-earth creationists and by opponents of Christian faith. It's often used by entertainment media because it's entertaining! It is DRAMATIC with the simplistic "good guys & bad guys, heroes & villains" appeal of melodrama, and sometimes it is also motivated by the agendas (philosophical, religious, or political) of individuals or institutions.
These ideas are discussed elsewhere in the area for Origins Questions, in TWO BOOKS OF GOD (re: "warfare" between religion and science), ORIGINS EDUCATION IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS (re: educational freedom plus scientific integrity, religious nutrality, and the responsibility of teachers), AGE OF THE EARTH — THEOLOGY (about young-earth creationists who insist on a two-model approach where their view is the only Christian view), and INTELLIGENT DESIGN IN SCIENCE where we ask "Why are so many (with differing views!) so confident?"
I.O.U. — Later, by August 2008, there will be a better introduction above and more content below, with examples of Informal Origins Education, plus commentaries about it from different perspectives.
| A DISCLAIMER: In this page you'll find links to resource-pages expressing a wide range of views, which don't necessarily represent the views of the American Scientific Affiliation. Therefore, linking to a page does not imply an endorsement by the ASA. We encourage you to use your own critical thinking to evaluate everything you read. |
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this page, written by Craig Rusbult (editor of ASA Science
Ed Website),
is http://www.asa3.org/ASA/education/origins/informal2.htm
and was revised
June 27, 2008
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