evolution;creationsim BBC: Teaching evolution key to free school funding deal

[Ice_Blue]

Any attempt to present as fact the view that God made the world could lead to new free schools losing their funding under government changes.

The new rules state that from 2013, all free schools in England must teach evolution as a "comprehensive and coherent scientific theory".

The move follows scientists' concerns that free schools run by creationists might avoid teaching evolution.

Sir Paul Nurse, president of the Royal Society, said it was "delighted".

Sir Paul told BBC News the previous rules on free schools and the teaching of evolution versus creationism had been "not tight enough".

Source

A small step in the right direction.

[FlintyV]

A small step in the right direction.

There's only 79 free schools in the UK to begin with.

[Growled Member]

Any attempt to present as fact the view that God made the world could lead to new free schools losing their funding under government changes.

I'm okay with that.

[Nick H. Supervisor]

I'm not against this move. But do we have to wait until 2013?

Yes, 2013 is only a month away. That was the joke.

[sagum]

How about they stop teaching about God or evolution as fact and teach what a theory is, like exactly what a "theory" in its most basic terms really means, then just associate the theory of God, ID, Evolution and of course FSM etc.

Once kids know they can decide and choose what theory they want to believe and try and understand, they'll also be aware that they can in fact change their minds when new evidence comes to light rather then continuing to push 'facts' into other's heads.

It's strange because even in science class, we're still taught that things like gravity are fact. Accepting it as fact, means for most people, some other theories, such as quantum physics just melt their brain when they're trying to even understand the basics because it changes everything they've thought as fact.

[Ice_Blue]

It's strange because even in science class, we're still taught that things like gravity are fact.

If they don't believe that gravity is a fact, then you can always ask them to jump out of the window when they're on the fifteenth floor. :D

[sagum]

If they don't believe that gravity is a fact, then you can always ask them to jump out of the window when they're on the fifteenth floor. :D

Some believe that they'll get 72 virgin wives in heaven if they did that... go figure.

[Growled Member]

The funny thing is the Catholic Church teaches there is nothing wrong with believing in evolution.

[jakem1]

I don't think the teaching of evolution is much of an issue in this country. A bigger problem is the state funding of religious, selective schools.

[mudslag]

How about they stop teaching about God or evolution as fact and teach what a theory is, like exactly what a "theory" in its most basic terms really means, then just associate the theory of God, ID, Evolution and of course FSM etc.

Once kids know they can decide and choose what theory they want to believe and try and understand, they'll also be aware that they can in fact change their minds when new evidence comes to light rather then continuing to push 'facts' into other's heads.

It's strange because even in science class, we're still taught that things like gravity are fact. Accepting it as fact, means for most people, some other theories, such as quantum physics just melt their brain when they're trying to even understand the basics because it changes everything they've thought as fact.

God does'nt fit into the theory category.

Some believe that they'll get 72 virgin wives in heaven if they did that... go figure.

Gravity is a theory, a theory based on facts, like evolution is as well. 72 virgins, like god, do not fit into the area of a theory.

[rfirth]

It's strange because even in science class, we're still taught that things like gravity are fact.

Gravity, the physical phenomenon, is an observable fact. The theory of gravity attempts to explain the how and why.

Evolution is an observable fact. The theory of evolution attempts to explain the how and why.

How about they stop teaching about God or evolution as fact and teach what a theory is, like exactly what a "theory" in its most basic terms really means, then just associate the theory of God, ID, Evolution and of course FSM etc.

(Good) schools do teach exactly what a scientific theory is. And the "theory of god" isn't a scientific theory. It's an untested, unsubstantiated hypothesis, as is the FSM.

[Shiranui]

I don't think the teaching of evolution is much of an issue in this country. A bigger problem is the state funding of religious, selective schools.

Indeed, it is very much an American thing. To the extent that evolution denial (in 2012...) exists in the UK, it is mostly from muslim immigrants and, to a lesser extent, imported American influence.

[ArialBlue]

I suppose this should not be a problem for UK.

I mean sure, US, yes, it would be a problem. But hey, that is why American is not considered stereotypically a smart creature.

[Shiranui]

Congratulations on beating Turkey!