Teaching pupils about creationism in science lessons is "indoctrination", according to Professor Alice Roberts. The TV presenter and new president of the Association for Science Education called for new laws banning all schools, including those in the private sector, from teaching the topic alongside evolution.
The new national curriculum for primary schools, due to be introduced this September, contains a clear requirement for pupils to be taught about evolution. But the curriculum only applies to state schools, not private schools. Academies and free schools can choose not to follow it.
In an interview with the Times Educational Supplement (TES), Prof Roberts, who has presented a number of BBC programmes including The Incredible Human Journey and Origins of Us, said: "There should be regulation that prevents all schools, not just state schools, from teaching creationism because it is indoctrination, it is planting ideas into children's heads. We should be teaching children to be much more open-minded.
"People who believe in creationism say that by teaching evolution you are indoctrinating them with science, but I just don't agree with that. Science is about questioning things. It's about teaching people to say, 'I don't believe it until we have very strong evidence'."
Okay I may be in love here.
America desperately needs somebody just like Professor Roberts to take on the religious indoctrination that is taking place in charter schools, home schools, and private schools all over this country.
Sadly for us we do not yet have anybody in an official capacity willing to take on the Creationists in such a courageous manner, for fear of appearing anti-Christian.
That's too bad, because in the interim it is our children and our standing among the world's scientific community that suffers.
And, just think, England actually has a "state" church" - the Church of England and the queen is the titular head. And they still believe in evolution and are Christians. That should say something to those in the US who want to replace teaching evolution with teaching creationism. But, sadly, it won't.
ReplyDeleteBeaglemom
You're right, it won't. The damned fools would probably say something like, "What the hell do the Brits know? They still have a damned Queen!and and they let those ignorant islamists immigrate in huge numbers!
DeleteSome day....
O/T
ReplyDeleteAnother Alaska Crazy decides she can package it into a Senate campaign: http://amandacoyne.com/uncategorized/u-s-senate-candidate-kathleen-tonn-sings-in-tongues-in-steam-room/
Iconic Representations of "Exceptional" Answers to world questions by a Creationist:
ReplyDeleteWell, let's see. There's --of course --in the great history of America rulings there have been rulings, there's never going to be absolute consensus by every American. And there are -- those issues, again, like Roe v Wade where I believe are best held on a state level and addressed there. So you know -- going through the history of America, there would be others but--"
Any of 'em, all of 'em that have been put in front of me over the years. . .
I'll try to find some for ya and get back to ya!
Let's not forget the "united" in the the United States Constitution...
Delete"No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."
The brainless dunce couldn't even remember a supreme court ruling from that very year that directly affected the state of which she was the governor!
Delete(Exxon Valdez)
Perhaps the only way of ensuring that privately taught children learn about evolution is to mandate across-the-board exams and to ensure that evolution-related questions make up a significant portion of every science exam -- before any kid gets a high school diploma. Oh, and those exams need to be the exact same ones for every state.
ReplyDeleteNo self-respecting, backwards-ass, Southern/Texan/etc. bible beater would let there be any federally-created exam to ensure their children are learning anything of value.
DeleteWe have Bill Nye. He has accepted the de facto position of national science spokesperson. So there.
ReplyDeleteYeah, but he's older and rocks the bow tie. This girls smart, a "hottie", speaks with a british accent, and has a skeleton's foot in her hands.
DeleteI can see why you're attracted. She's nice looking, singing your song and she's got a skeleton's foot in her hands.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree. We need to set up "Creationist Free Zones" near public schools and make it a crime. Of course Hamm won't think it's kosher, but who cares what he says anyway?