> http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/religion/2971456/Royal-Society-
> scientist-loses-post-in-row-over-creationism-in-schools.html
> 
> "Royal Society scientist loses post in row over creationism in schools
> 
> A leading biologist who claimed that creationism should be included in
> school science lessons has lost his job at the Royal Society as a result.
> "

Since I'm the Technology Coordinator at our kids' school, I follow some of
the education blogs. I particularly agree with this one:

http://education.zdnet.com/?p=1857

Professor Michael Reiss, Director of Education for the Royal Society,
seriously irritated most of his fellow Royal Society members and a good
chunk of the scientific community by posting a blog entry on September 11th
suggesting that creationism and intelligent design should not automatically
be excluded from science education.

I'm the first to holler about the separation of church and state and would
have been first in line to complain if my own kids were being taught
creationism over the basic principles of biology and physics (you know,
evolution, the Big Bang, and all that kind of good stuff). However, I have
to say that I really believe that Professor Reiss is being unfairly targeted
by the scientific community, a large number of whom now want him removed
from his position.

A quick scan of the blogosphere would have readers believe that Reiss, who
happens to be both a biologist and an ordained Anglican priest, wants
science teachers to actually teach creationism, if not in place of
evolution, then certainly as a perfectly correct and acceptable option. No
wonder scientists were irked.

However, a closer read of his actual post reveals a clear understanding of
evolutionary biology as well as understanding and sensitivity for those of
our students who simply can't reconcile their beliefs with mainstream
scientific thought. As Reiss points out,

<Reiss>".a student who believes in creationism has a non-scientific way of
seeing the world, and one very rarely changes one's world view as a result
of a 50-minute lesson, however well taught."

Quite frankly, whether the student is right or wrong in their beliefs in
creationism or intelligent design is irrelevant. Instead, Professor Reiss
suggests that we simply consider our students' "alternate world view" and,
if we're comfortable as teachers, encourage discussion in class of the
opposing viewpoints.

<Reiss>"I do believe in taking seriously and respectfully the concerns of
students who do not accept the theory of evolution, while still introducing
them to it. While it is unlikely that this will help students who have a
conflict between science and their religious beliefs to resolve the
conflict, good science teaching can help students to manage it - and to
learn more science."

Respect for our students, teaching science and scientific thinking to kids
who might otherwise reject much science out of hand because of its conflict
with their world view, and teaching accepted scientific theory in an
innovative context? Sounds like a good deal to me. Allowing discussion of
intelligent design in a biology class doesn't mean that we as scientists
believe in it or even validate it; rather, it means that we respect our
students. Again, as Professor Reiss notes in his blog,

<Reiss>"I feel that creationism is best seen by science teachers not as a
misconception but as a world view. The implication of this is that the most
a science teacher can normally hope to achieve is to ensure that students
with creationist beliefs understand the scientific position. In the short
term, this scientific world view is unlikely to supplant a creationist one."

By Christopher Dawson

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

I would add that allowing the discussion helps prepare those students who
practice scientific thinking when they encounter those who don't think
scientifically. I am sympathetic to Reiss's argument. He's choosing learning
over doctrine - a rather un-church like view IMHO. If we turn people away
from scientific thinking then we shouldn't complain later when they don't
know it.

Mark W.

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