Re: [asa] Intelligent design to feature in British school Religious Education lessons

It is unsettling that the students will hear only these two ends of the debate (ID and Dawkins), once again supporting the false dichotomy of either science or religion. It is very unfortunate that those who are both religious and scientists are left out of the discussion.
 
I saw the same false split supported this past week on the morning news, when they interviewed a scientist on one hand and a Christian minister on the other, and spent plenty of time discussing their differences. The whole point of the story was to show these two as "strange bedfellows" who were united in their desire to reduce global warming, but of course had completely different views on origins.
 
It is very troubling that this false separation is taken as a "given" in many areas of our society.
 
Best Regards,
Charles
 
_______________________________
Charles W. Carrigan, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Geology
Olivet Nazarene Univ., Dept. of Physical Sciences
One University Ave.
Bourbonnais, IL 60914
PH: (815) 939-5346
FX: (815) 939-5071
ccarriga@olivet.edu
http://geology.olivet.edu/
 
"To a naturalist nothing is indifferent;
the humble moss that creeps upon the stone
is equally interesting as the lofty pine which so beautifully adorns the valley or the mountain:
but to a naturalist who is reading in the face of the rocks the annals of a former world,
the mossy covering which obstructs his view,
and renders indistinguishable the different species of stone,
is no less than a serious subject of regret."
          - James Hutton
_______________________________

>>> Jack Haas <haas.john@comcast.net> 1/23/2007 8:32 AM >>>

 
<http://www.asa3.org/weblog/jackhaas/2007/01/23/Intelligentdesigntofeaturein.html>
Intelligent design to feature in school RE lessons
<http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,1996287,00.html>

Teenagers will be asked to debate intelligent design (ID) in their
religious education classes and read texts by evolutionary biologist
Richard Dawkins under new government guidelines.
In a move that is likely to spark controversy, the Qualifications and
Curriculum Authority has for the first time recommended that pupils be
taught about atheism and creationism in RE classes. ID, which argues
that the creation of the world was so complex that an intelligent -
religious - force must have directed it, has become a contentious issue
that has divided scientists and Christians in Britain. (more)
Alexandra Smith, /The Guardian/

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Received on Tue Jan 23 10:02:44 2007