The Press Association: Third of teachers want Creationism — All the press material I’ve seen in England is very carefully worded as if it was orchestrated.
Three in 10 science teachers believe creationism should be taught in science lessons, according to a new survey.
And more than a third 37% of primary and secondary teachers in general believe that the subject should be taught alongside evolution and the Big Bang theory.
The Ipsos Mori poll of more than 900 primary and secondary teachers in England and Wales found that while nearly half 47% believe it should not be taught in science lessons, two thirds 65% agree that creationism should be discussed in schools.
This rises to three quarters of teachers 73% with science as their subject specialism. Two in three science specialists 65% do not think that creationism should be taught in science lessons. But few teachers think creationism as an idea should be dismissed outright.
Just one in four 26% agree with a view expressed by Professor Chris Higgins, vice-chancellor of Durham University that “creationism is completely unsupportable as a theory, and the only reason to mention creationism in schools is to enable teachers to demonstrate why the idea is scientific nonsense and has no basis in evidence or rational thought.”
Fiona Johnson, head of education research at Ipsos Mori and director of the Ipsos Mori Teachers Omnibus, said: “Our findings suggest that many teachers are trying to adopt a measured approach to this contentious issue, an approach which attempts not only to explain the essential differences between scientific and other types of ‘theory’, but also to acknowledge that – regardless of, or even despite, “the science” – pupils may have a variety of strongly held, and arguably equal value, faith-based beliefs.”
The “protein cell” is too much to pass up. Fedup receives the first BubbaRayDipDork Award of 2009.
Perhaps Hop will come along and award the Ultimate King Kahuna Moron Award as well. Mr. Mustard, bobbo, Hop and I are patenting the protein cell as a new form of energy, suitable for invoking laughter in anyone that’s smarter than a 5th grader.
Jerry Springer gets a pass, since he was smart enough to be elected mayor.
Bubba–you crack me up. I’d love to “really” know why this amuses you so. Everyone you talk to outside the observatory talks just like Fedup. I talk like Fedup when it comes to things astronomical and pure physics. You let it go. Why stick it to him now? Especially when what he was “trying” to say was pretty evident==the building blocks of life.
The DipDork Award–so early in the year. Bummer.
Aww, bobbo, I just couldn’t pass it up. Personal attacks just don’t go over well this early in the year. Besides, it’s been months since I’ve awarded the BRDDA. I know you don’t want one this early!
Just because I’m BubbaRay isn’t any reason to group me with all the “bubbas.” I got stuck with this name years and years ago. You can call me Ray, and you can call me Jay…
And Jerry Springer? I didn’t know he was a mayor! I’ve heard rumors he has a TV show that has sponsors and everything. If so, he can’t be too dumb. Wish he’d send me a check, he can probably afford it.
Creation should be taught. As should all ancient mythologies. So modern kids can understand how the more superstitious peoples were controlled by their masters in the more simpler times of the past.
#83, Bubba,
I commend your choice for the first BRDDA of 2009. As usual, your choice is well deserved and self evident.
May the heavens continue to be cloudless whenever you have observatory time.
You can’t call yourself a scientist if you believe in intelligent design otherwise known as creationism. And if you thought ID wasn’t creationism, check out the PBS series NOVA “Intelligent Design on Trial” which shows conclusively they are the same, reworded to get it taught in schools.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/programs/ht/wm/3416_01_220.html
These jokers deserve nothing but our disdain.
Dvorak… did you happen to see “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed”?
Can any of you tell my why only some scholars can voice their working opinion but others are banned from institutions if they voice theirs in favor of intelligent design? I want all the information presented to me not just some theory. If the theory was so great, why isn’t it accepted as a FACT? Darwin’s theory didn’t explain everything 100%. That is a FACT.
Guess what everyone, there is still stuff that we DON’T know about the origin of life. Neither camp fully explains either. It is a shame that some of you are so adamant that you know much like you were f’n there when life started. Intelligent design doesn’t equate to creationism. Intelligent design does not equate to Christianity.
Does a middle road not exist?
# 87 Stephanie said, “Does a middle road not exist?”
Not for the priests on both sides…
#87–Stephie==for the same reason Astrology should not be taught in Astronomy: ITS NOT SCIENCE!!!!!
“Just a theory”—See Bubba==can you xerox those Dip Dork Awards or are they still made out of base metal?
For God’s sake (no pun intended), if we’re going to teach creationsim (whatever that is) in school let’s at least make it interesting. Let’s get rid of Eve (Ann Coulter with bigger boobs) and that wimp Adam (he couldn’t handle power tools let alone stand up to Eve) and switch to the Norse myth.
Now we’re talking. Big manly gods, buxomy goddesses, fire swords, frozen wastelands, killing, death, and cow that feeds everyone. We’re talking heavy metal creation myths here – not of that limp wristed, mamby-pamby Judeo-Christian crap that we always hear about.
I feel a power ballad coming on.
Stephanie
Can any of you tell my why only some scholars can voice their working opinion but others are banned from institutions if they voice theirs in favor of intelligent design?
Intelligent design is no more a science than “Hide and Seek” or Grimms Fairy Tales. If you come looking for a job and start spouting gibberish then don’t expect to be hired.
Darwin’s theory didn’t explain everything 100%. That is a FACT.
Very true and accepted. It is however, based on solid facts. As new information becomes available or is discovered then the “theory is adjusted or changed to reflect the new knowledge.
HOWEVER, intelligent design is not science and is not based upon any facts. To suggest it is a science would be to deny all that is true and factual.
Guess what everyone, there is still stuff that we DON’T know about the origin of life.
Again, true. Tossing out ideas though that have no factual basis though isn’t the answer.
Intelligent design doesn’t equate to creationism. Intelligent design does not equate to Christianity.
ID is Christianity wrapped up in sheep’s clothing.
#87
Suppose a professor purported belief that the Easter Bunny is responsible for gravity? Should we consider such a non-scientific hypothesis in the same light as scientific hypotheses? Certainly not.
ID is not science. It is not phrased as science and thus should not be treated as science.
> I want all the information
> presented to me not just
> some theory.
http://toarchive.org/indexcc/list.html#CA200
http://toarchive.org/indexcc/CA/CA201.html
> If the theory was so great
> , why isn’t it accepted as a FACT?
That species evolve is an observable fact. Darwin’s theory is accurate at predicting that evolution under certain conditions.
> Darwin’s theory didn’t
> explain everything 100%
No theory does nor purports to do so.
> Neither camp fully explains either.
There are no “camps” here. There is science and not science. ID is not science.
Misanthropic Scott, bible believers and thumpers in general: Here is Chritopher Hitchens giving the strongest sermon I have yet to hear on the evils of religion. I’m sure there are worse, I just haven’t seen them:
“The main source of hatred in the world is religion.”
http://.youtube.com/watch?v=yYIs1fkZ2wo&feature=related
You muffed up the link again, Bobbo. You took out the “www”, but not the “.”; it should be:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yYIs1fkZ2wo&feature=related
Mustard–you are my constant star, the true direction, my only Imam. Lots of other good screeds there too==like why women don’t make good comedians.
#95, bobbo,
… like why women don’t make good comedians.
Tell that to Cow-Paddy.
Darnit, QB, now I can’t get Wagner and the music out of my head! Kudos for the Norse references. Now that’s some Creationism.
Here’s a very short take on Wagner’s 25 year work.
Thanks to bobbo, Mr. Mustard, Mr. Fusion, QB, amodedoma and others for making this (near 100 comment) thread so thought-provoking.