I believe in God, am a devout Darwinian and a biologist. Sounds like a contradiction – but then why should I have to choose?
I completely agree with Sue Blackmore that "opening minds" involves the accurate teaching of science in the classroom. If that involves conflicting with religious beliefs, well tough, any religion worth its salt should be able to cope with that.
But unlike Blackmore, I am a Christian biologist, as well as a passionate Darwinian. So what puzzles me is the assumption that teaching evolution should undermine religion anyway.
Blackmore says science teachers should not "belittle religious beliefs, or scoff at them", and "not even mention religion or creationism". Quite so. But pupils are very quick to pick up their teachers' assumptions. Good educational practice requires that teachers avoid hidden agendas in the classroom. And trying to undermine pupils' religious beliefs through biology might actually contribute to the rise of creationism.
The Guardian
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