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Teachers banned from promoting creationism

Teachers have been banned from promoting creationism in lessons.

The warning was issued by West Sussex County Council, the education authority, on the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin publishing his groundbreaking work The Origin of Species, which put forward the case for evolution.

Councillor Peter Griffiths, cabinet member for education and schools, was asked at a full meeting fo the council: “What is the policy of the County Council towards teachers in its employment who promote creationism and/or intelligent design rather than Darwin's theory of natural selection?”

Coun Griffiths said: “It is acceptable to answer questions about creationism in science but not promote it.”

Teachers and students could also explore creationist ideas when learning about religious beliefs.

Mr Griffiths was also asked if there was a zero tolerance attitude to teachers who promoted creationism.

Coun Griffiths said it was currently reviewing its policy, but added: “I note that the view of evolution is changing and that it has been reported that the Vatican has accepted that Darwin's theory of evolution is compatible with the Christian faith.”

Comments(39)

Brap Brap says...
12:09pm Sun 22 Mar 09

FINALLY.

Creationism is a complete and utter joke. It can't be proved, where as evolution can.

bibble says...
12:50pm Sun 22 Mar 09

Brap Brap wrote:
FINALLY.

Creationism is a complete and utter joke. It can't be proved, where as evolution can.
There are big gaps in evolution, so the "proof" as you put it is not as solid as you suggest. I'm not just referring to the fossil gaps.

I don't have any axe to grind either way, but when somebody says there is "proof" either way I am very skeptical. It would be better to say there is "some proof".

Tye says...
1:03pm Sun 22 Mar 09

I wonder IF WSCC will be as brave with Muslim beliefs as it has with Christian ones?

Osama bin there says...
1:04pm Sun 22 Mar 09

Creationism relies on the myth that there is a god of some sort.
There isn't.
So creationism is a lie. Simple as that.

Osama bin there says...
1:06pm Sun 22 Mar 09

Tye wrote:
I wonder IF WSCC will be as brave with Muslim beliefs as it has with Christian ones?
Don't be daft, Tye. ;-)
For one, they don't have much of a sense of humour.

cheezburger says...
1:15pm Sun 22 Mar 09

bibble wrote:
Brap Brap wrote: FINALLY. Creationism is a complete and utter joke. It can't be proved, where as evolution can.
There are big gaps in evolution, so the "proof" as you put it is not as solid as you suggest. I'm not just referring to the fossil gaps. I don't have any axe to grind either way, but when somebody says there is "proof" either way I am very skeptical. It would be better to say there is "some proof".
You dont understand it so just leave it ok. You cant prove gravity either. Science is about searching for truth and viewpoints change in the face of evidence. Creationism, and religion, tells you not to question, not to search, just accept what you are told.

This is boon to a civilised society and intelligence.

TheInsider says...
2:04pm Sun 22 Mar 09

Who really cares. It's all in the past. Move on.

Tye says...
2:11pm Sun 22 Mar 09

TheInsider wrote:
Who really cares. It's all in the past. Move on.
Not really - Thw Planet may have been created a long time ago however what we are discussing is religious beliefs and they are apparently as strong as ever with some

Tony Davenport says...
2:21pm Sun 22 Mar 09

bibble wrote:
Brap Brap wrote:
FINALLY.

Creationism is a complete and utter joke. It can't be proved, where as evolution can.
There are big gaps in evolution, so the "proof" as you put it is not as solid as you suggest. I'm not just referring to the fossil gaps.

I don't have any axe to grind either way, but when somebody says there is "proof" either way I am very skeptical. It would be better to say there is "some proof".
There is not just "some proof" for Darwin's theories, there is a vast ocean of proof, with more being found year after year. I have yet to find a single scientifically verifiable theory to emerge from creationism, or it's modern equivalent of "Intelligent Design".

Should science teachers also address the claims of the "flat earth" brigade too? They also claim to have "proof". How about people who don't believe in gravity? Where does the lunacy end?

Creationism and intelligent design are not science and as such have no place whatsoever in science classes.

Tony Davenport

feline1 says...
2:45pm Sun 22 Mar 09

Good stuff.

I would go further: these anti-Enlightment loons who like to deny scientific rationalism should themselves be denied the benefits of modern scientific medicine.
They can have a good old pray and a couple of leeches instead of running to the NHS when they get sick - after all, there's no PROOF medicine works, it's just a THEORY!

Osama bin there says...
2:57pm Sun 22 Mar 09

Religion and differing religious beliefs are responsible for just about every war going on on this planet right now. From Northern Ireland to Iraq.
Creationism is an article of FAITH in some religions. It thinks of itself as being above needing scientific proof.
It's also a particularly american christian fundamentalist belief.
How much more evidence do you need to see that it's a stupid as a box of frogs.
Beliefs or articles of faith with no scientific substance are no more than fairytales - pure and simple.

cheezburger says...
3:35pm Sun 22 Mar 09

Tye wrote:
TheInsider wrote: Who really cares. It's all in the past. Move on.
Not really - Thw Planet may have been created a long time ago however what we are discussing is religious beliefs and they are apparently as strong as ever with some
As strong as ever with some, however the number who believe in it overall is definitely dwindling.
And not all religious people beileive in creationism anyway, most of them accept its just plain daft.

cheezburger says...
3:38pm Sun 22 Mar 09

feline1 wrote:
Good stuff. I would go further: these anti-Enlightment loons who like to deny scientific rationalism should themselves be denied the benefits of modern scientific medicine. They can have a good old pray and a couple of leeches instead of running to the NHS when they get sick - after all, there's no PROOF medicine works, it's just a THEORY!
Totally agree. Ive been saying this for years. They should be made to live in caves without electricity or any modern convenience.

GreenGiant says...
3:51pm Sun 22 Mar 09

I belive that we were all crated by some sort of alien & there waching us like some sort of TV show, laughing at us fight over the must perthetic things! Thats just my view.

binge says...
4:26pm Sun 22 Mar 09

If only the creationists would realise that the alleged 7 days of creation were possibly "celestial days" equal to X billion earthly days (& adjusting the creation order slightly) , the two theories could be reconciled quite easily - God or no god!!

Txa says...
5:00pm Sun 22 Mar 09

feline1 wrote:
Good stuff. I would go further: these anti-Enlightment loons who like to deny scientific rationalism should themselves be denied the benefits of modern scientific medicine. They can have a good old pray and a couple of leeches instead of running to the NHS when they get sick - after all, there's no PROOF medicine works, it's just a THEORY!
Medical leeches are now making a came back in microsurgery (modern scientific medicine).


Txa says...
5:18pm Sun 22 Mar 09

The Vatican acceptance of the theory of evolution is not new and it has been included in their science lessons from at least 1960.

I as an spiritual person I prefer a world with religions than without, atheism is not an option. But I'm against indoctrination of children in faiths schools, all schools should teach universal human morals and values.

Tye says...
6:05pm Sun 22 Mar 09

cheezburger wrote:
feline1 wrote: Good stuff. I would go further: these anti-Enlightment loons who like to deny scientific rationalism should themselves be denied the benefits of modern scientific medicine. They can have a good old pray and a couple of leeches instead of running to the NHS when they get sick - after all, there's no PROOF medicine works, it's just a THEORY!
Totally agree. Ive been saying this for years. They should be made to live in caves without electricity or any modern convenience.
You sound exactly like some bigotted God Botherer.

surely live and let live so long as your POV doesn't encroach on others s/be the aim?

I don't care If my neighbour believes that the Duke of Edinburgh is Lord of the lizard people so long as they are not dangerous or expect me to share their views

Kickboxer says...
6:13pm Sun 22 Mar 09

Brap Brap wrote:
FINALLY.

Creationism is a complete and utter joke. It can't be proved, where as evolution can.
I do not think anything can be proved 100%, we could be an atom under a giants finger nail, or a experiment in a petree dish for anyone really knows.

quedula says...
7:33pm Sun 22 Mar 09

All these posts show how modern Britain is throwing off the shackles of ancient discredited superstitions. Its time for secularists to stand up and be counted. Why should Bishops sit in the House of Lords? Why should any taxpayer's money go to supporting institutions which perpetuate the antiquated myths and rituals of religion?Find out how your MP feels before the next election.

Txa says...
8:08pm Sun 22 Mar 09

quedula wrote:
All these posts show how modern Britain is throwing off the shackles of ancient discredited superstitions. Its time for secularists to stand up and be counted. Why should Bishops sit in the House of Lords? Why should any taxpayer's money go to supporting institutions which perpetuate the antiquated myths and rituals of religion?Find out how your MP feels before the next election.
"All these posts show how modern Britain is throwing off the shackles of ancient discredited"

If that is modern Britain, God save us all! Though I agree more of less with the rest. I'm against all religious corrupted institutions, that for centuries have been trying to monopolize and control the human spirit, and the atheist are trying to do the same, you cannot control the human spirit because it always was and always will be FREE!

cheezburger says...
8:46pm Sun 22 Mar 09

You cant control the human spirit because it doesnt exist.

Txa says...
8:54pm Sun 22 Mar 09

cheezburger wrote:
You cant control the human spirit because it doesnt exist.
That is where we differ.

feline1 says...
9:02pm Sun 22 Mar 09

Tye wrote:
cheezburger wrote:
feline1 wrote: Good stuff. I would go further: these anti-Enlightment loons who like to deny scientific rationalism should themselves be denied the benefits of modern scientific medicine. They can have a good old pray and a couple of leeches instead of running to the NHS when they get sick - after all, there's no PROOF medicine works, it's just a THEORY!
Totally agree. Ive been saying this for years. They should be made to live in caves without electricity or any modern convenience.
You sound exactly like some bigotted God Botherer.

surely live and let live so long as your POV doesn't encroach on others s/be the aim?

I don't care If my neighbour believes that the Duke of Edinburgh is Lord of the lizard people so long as they are not dangerous or expect me to share their views
We are talking about TEACHERS paid with TAXPAYERS MONEY, who are supposed to be educating our children, instead INDOCTRINATING THEM with LUDICROUS DOGMA.

Txa says...
9:28pm Sun 22 Mar 09

What it really amaze me, we all worry about religion indoctrination, but when our local schools are turning into private academies, where they got the whole power to indoctrinate our children the way they like it, no one seems to care.

feline1 says...
9:38pm Sun 22 Mar 09

Txa wrote:
What it really amaze me, we all worry about religion indoctrination, but when our local schools are turning into private academies, where they got the whole power to indoctrinate our children the way they like it, no one seems to care.
Yes, I agree, if by "no-one" you mean "actually probably most people"

Txa says...
9:55pm Sun 22 Mar 09

feline1 wrote:
Txa wrote: What it really amaze me, we all worry about religion indoctrination, but when our local schools are turning into private academies, where they got the whole power to indoctrinate our children the way they like it, no one seems to care.
Yes, I agree, if by "no-one" you mean "actually probably most people"
probably yes, ahahah...

feline1 says...
10:27pm Sun 22 Mar 09

what next, teachers who refuse to believe in differential equations?
Teachers who don't believe Nigeria is part of Africa? Teachers who insist that the French language has no past tense? That the battle of Hastings was in 1166?

Guerrero says...
11:28pm Sun 22 Mar 09

GreenGiant wrote:
I belive that we were all crated by some sort of alien & there waching us like some sort of TV show, laughing at us fight over the must perthetic things! Thats just my view.
Probably not too far from the truth mate.
Waiting to see how far we can go berore we blow ourselves to fcuk.
My God's alright.I dont impose him onto anybody else and he lets me off most of the bad stuff I do.He also trusts me to do some good things as well.Which I try to do.
In 30 odd years or so I'll be dead and he'll move onto someone else.
I'll be on some other plane.Or not.
Jesus sounds like he was a really good bloke.I probably prefer Bhudda though.Although the lack of alcoholic beverages means,I'll never follow his path.Allah the same really.I like a bevvy.
Couldn't let one of my kids die though a lack of blood like the Jehovah's.Catholics and mormons have too many kids.
I'll go with the Alien theory being at least as good as Darwins.
From frog spawn to human being?
Crazy.LOL.

Mr. Kipling says...
12:30am Mon 23 Mar 09

"Waiting to see how far we can go before we blow ourselves to fcuk."

That`ll probably be the season finale...

mr punch says...
12:31am Mon 23 Mar 09

Round 'em up, put 'em in a field and bomb the bar stewards!

Tye says...
8:01am Mon 23 Mar 09

feline1 wrote:
Tye wrote:
cheezburger wrote:
feline1 wrote: Good stuff. I would go further: these anti-Enlightment loons who like to deny scientific rationalism should themselves be denied the benefits of modern scientific medicine. They can have a good old pray and a couple of leeches instead of running to the NHS when they get sick - after all, there's no PROOF medicine works, it's just a THEORY!
Totally agree. Ive been saying this for years. They should be made to live in caves without electricity or any modern convenience.
You sound exactly like some bigotted God Botherer. surely live and let live so long as your POV doesn't encroach on others s/be the aim? I don't care If my neighbour believes that the Duke of Edinburgh is Lord of the lizard people so long as they are not dangerous or expect me to share their views
We are talking about TEACHERS paid with TAXPAYERS MONEY, who are supposed to be educating our children, instead INDOCTRINATING THEM with LUDICROUS DOGMA.
So why deny the NHS to "them", force them to live in caves -you were not discussing teachers then were you - you stupid trolling pr4t

If you widen the argument you cannot really go back to the original story and use the excuse about teachers


pun master says...
9:53am Mon 23 Mar 09

Speaking as a teacher myself (I know, I know) can I just point out that there doesn't seem to be a reference in the story to any teacher having actually promoted Creationism. Personally I don't believe in a 'God' (but still ask myself where the material in the Big Bang came from) but respect the opinions and right to believe of those who do. What I can definitely say is that in many years in the teaching profession I have never actually met a teacher who was totally commited to the absolute promotion of anything; discussion, yes, debate, yes, questioning and challenging a range of beliefs, yes. Indoctrination, absolutely not...

Brap Brap says...
9:59am Mon 23 Mar 09

bibble wrote:
Brap Brap wrote:
FINALLY.

Creationism is a complete and utter joke. It can't be proved, where as evolution can.
There are big gaps in evolution, so the "proof" as you put it is not as solid as you suggest. I'm not just referring to the fossil gaps.

I don't have any axe to grind either way, but when somebody says there is "proof" either way I am very skeptical. It would be better to say there is "some proof".
there is "a lot of proof" for science and evolution. there is "no proof" for god and creationism.

i think i know which one i'd rather go with...

binge says...
12:41pm Mon 23 Mar 09

If this world was "created" by some celestial being it seems he or her was working overtime for billions of years. If you look at the Astronomic web sites there are millions of Star Galaxies all with millions of stars (suns) in each many of which MUST have earthlike planets: does each planet have a deity specifically for it : I doubt it!!

binge says...
12:42pm Mon 23 Mar 09

If this world was "created" by some celestial being it seems he or her was working overtime for billions of years. If you look at the Astronomic web sites there are millions of Star Galaxies all with millions of stars (suns) in each many of which MUST have earthlike planets: does each planet have a deity specifically for it : I doubt it!!

Paul Skinnbach says...
2:13pm Mon 23 Mar 09

**** straight - I was brought up in an Irish Roman Catholic family, and even I didn't believe this crock a' sh*t as a 5 year old. (Although when you are taught by nuns with a strict catholic propensity for casual violence, you usually find that your opinion is in the minority, and this was 1991!)

I believe that when creationism was dreamt up, the author didn't take into consideration the possibility of being disproved.

Religion is good on the whole for a great many people, it provides the guidelines for the majority to lead socially responsible lives, but science and religion should be kept apart like a naturally aggressive tramp and a can of tennants.

Human Machine says...
2:27pm Mon 23 Mar 09

Hear hear, Paul. I went to a Catholic school too and questioning the imposed status quo was definitely not encouraged. Inferring that there was no God was likely to result in a loud sucking noise as every single teacher in a fifty metre radius sucked in their collective breath.

Not recanting such heretic views could, and probably did, result in the cane.

Jim BB says...
6:14pm Mon 23 Mar 09

Scope's Monkey Trial! This is the opposite of the famous case - also made into a great film starring Spencer Tracey.

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