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Original poster

David Attenborough joins the campaign against creationism in schools.

428 replies

Peanutbuttertuesday · 20/09/2011 17:27

I've posted before about the issue of religion being taught as fact in schools before. I'd be interested to hear what everyone has to say about this.
Discuss!
www.telegraph.co.uk/education/educationnews/8769353/David-Attenborough-joins-campaign-against-creationism-in-schools.html

OP posts:

onagar · 21/09/2011 20:47

I disagree totally, both theories should be taught.

Creationism isn't a theory. It's a belief.

don't you know the difference?

pigletmania · 21/09/2011 20:53

I disagree, it should be taught in science lessons, not as obviously a scentific theory but as the other side of the argument and alternative theory.

pigletmania · 21/09/2011 20:55

ongar thats your view, how do you know that there isen't any truth behind creationism. There are things that just science cannot explain

onagar · 21/09/2011 21:00

pigletmania The word 'theory' has a meaning - look it up. It just doesn't mean 'belief' or 'guess' and that's not a matter of opinion.

Have you never read the threads on MN explaining all this?

You are also making the classic mistake of saying "there's no proof this isn't true" because there is no proof that god isn't a small tortoise either.

pigletmania · 21/09/2011 21:02

exactly there are things we cannot explain about the world and universe so yes I believe in an alternative view too.

onagar · 21/09/2011 21:02

btw even the catholic church are not saying creationism is true now so if you have doubts go ask them about it. You are not saying the pope is lying are you?

onagar · 21/09/2011 21:03

pigletmania take small steps. Explore the dictionary first.

DialMforMummy · 21/09/2011 21:05

Because there is NO evidence to support this belief piglet.
You are very right, plenty stuff can't be explained by science.

pigletmania · 21/09/2011 21:05

thanks ongar for the educational lesson, i am not thick you know, just because you seem to think you are so clever

grubbalo · 21/09/2011 21:06

I will never fail to be amazed when I come across someone who genuinely believes creationism deserves an equal platform to evolution (or even worse thinks it is the "correct" version).

It is a BELIEF, not a theory. Yes science doesn't always have the answers, but in this instance it does. (Actually, generally, science does have the answers).

I must admit I would be quite happy for creationism to be raised in a kind of "look at what people used to think, and a few misguided people still believe" sort of way - similar to the earth being flat kind of thing.

pigletmania · 21/09/2011 21:06

i am entitled to my view just as much as yours, just because you don't agree does not make me wrong.

pigletmania · 21/09/2011 21:07

grubbalo some people do still believe in creationism, and should be taught as an alternative.

grubbalo · 21/09/2011 21:10

There are genuinely a group of people who believe the earth is flat though. Does that mean we should be teaching children that particular alternative "theory"?

pigletmania · 21/09/2011 21:11

As I said it should be taught as an alternative viewpoint or as ongar said belief. How do you know that there is not some truth in it?

onagar · 21/09/2011 21:12

pigletmania you are entitled to believe you can fly if you want, but if you step off a cliff you will fall. There is belief and there is reality and reality wins every time.

In any case I don't mind you believing it. We're just not going to let you teach it as true in schools.

DialMforMummy · 21/09/2011 21:12

Yes Grubbalo along with the fact that you can get pregnant without having sex like the virgin Mary.

alana39 · 21/09/2011 21:12

Creationism is a belief, yes, but even in RE lessons in a Catholic school in the 1980s it was taught to us as a slightly loopy one.

The only people I've met that really believe it also think WW2 was won by the power of prayer so don't do much to sell it as a mainstream idea.

Whatmeworry · 21/09/2011 21:13

As I said it should be taught as an alternative viewpoint or as ongar said belief. How do you know that there is not some truth in it

Because science requires hard proof, and there isn't any in Creationism.

onagar · 21/09/2011 21:13

it is taught as a belief - in churches and to a certain extent in RE.

TheVermiciousKnid · 21/09/2011 21:14

i am entitled to my view just as much as yours, just because you don't agree does not make me wrong.

Of course you are entitled to your view, but that doesn't mean it is correct! Creationism is not a theory, it simply isn't, certainly not on the same level as evolution or other scientific theories. It is a belief and not a theory. (That doesn't mean that creationism is wrong, it just means it is not a scientific theory.)

And why should creationism be taught just because some people belief in it? (Unless it's in RE.) People believe in all sorts of things, that doens't mean it should be taught in science lessons.

You are perfectionly entitled to believe in creationism, no problem. But is should stay in the realm of religion and not be dressed up as a 'scientific theory'. That's just bonkers. There is no scientific evidence for creationism.

If people feel really secure in their beliefs I don't see why they have to dress them up as scientific theories. Believe whatever you want, I don't care. But don't make it into something it isn't.

grubbalo · 21/09/2011 21:15

Seriously piglet, I think my analogy is a good one - google the Flat Earth Society and you'll see what I mean. Do you think that "theory" should be taught? Or that actually modern science shows it all to be a load of tosh?

noeyedear · 21/09/2011 21:16

I'm stunned that anyone in this country does believe in creationism- the earth is 10,000 years old? Dinosaurs and humans lived side by side? Really?? I went to a Catholic school many moons ago and was taught in RS that Genesis was a story that people used to explain things they didn't understand. Now, those things have been explained- evolution is a fact- the creation story is not! It should not be taught in science- I wouldn't expect my children to be taught it as an alternative view, even if they went to Catholic school. It's not part of the teachings of the Catholic church.

pigletmania · 21/09/2011 21:16

Well not saying I am teaching it as I am not a teacher, but it should be taught as an alternative viewpoint, the other side of an argument. Its valuable to have a wide variety of information. If you don't provide all the information, how do you expect children to develop their own opinions and ideas.

TheVermiciousKnid · 21/09/2011 21:18

But it is not an alternative scientific viewpoint! It is not 'the other side of an argument'! It is not an argument at all, but a religious belief. If you believe in it, fine.

What about the hundres if not thousands other creation myths around the world, shouldn't they all been taught because they provide an alternative viewpoint?

onagar · 21/09/2011 21:18

If you don't provide all the information

But it is not information. Get some evidence (even a little bit) and then it will be examined as a theory.

Do you want schools teaching that storks bring babies? I expect some people believe that as an 'alternative view'

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