[Catalist] Evolution and Creationism in Schools

[Michael McGarry]

Greetings Science Colleagues,


In a recent post to STAWA’s e-Forum CATALIST, a subscriber invited colleagues to consider signing a petition asking the Federal Minister for Education to STOP funding schools that teach Creationism.


A number of colleagues including myself signed the petition. I then conducted due diligence and have come to the conclusion that such a petition has potential to create conflict between Science and Religion in our Australian society. URL 1: https://www.plainreason.org/featured/petition-change-org/ <https://www.plainreason.org/featured/petition-change-org/>. I also have the professional opinion that there is “not a snowball’s chance in hell” that a Federal government would take any action on the petition when submitted.


Compatibility of Science and Religion


“Science and religion are based on different aspects of human experience. In science, explanations must be based on evidence drawn from examining the natural world. Scientifically based observations or experiments that conflict with an explanation eventually must lead to modification or even abandonment of that explanation. Religious faith, in contrast, does not depend only on empirical evidence, is not necessarily modified in the face of conflicting evidence, and typically involves supernatural forces or entities. Because they are not a part of nature, supernatural entities cannot be investigated by science. In this sense, science and religion are separate and address aspects of human understanding in different ways. Attempts to pit science and religion against each other create controversy where none needs to exist.”


Reference URL 2: http://www.nas.edu/evolution/Compatibility.html <http://www.nas.edu/evolution/Compatibility.html>
Position Statements on Evolution and Creationism in Schools


“Given the importance of science in all aspects of modern life, the science curriculum should not be undermined with non-scientific material. Teaching creationist ideas in science classes confuses what constitutes science and what does not. It compromises the objectives of public education and the goal of a high-quality science education.”


Reference NAS URL 3: http://www.nas.edu/evolution/InSchools.html <http://www.nas.edu/evolution/InSchools.html>
“The [Australian] Academy [of Science] sees no objection to the teaching of creationism in schools as part of a course in dogmatic or comparative religion, or in some other non-scientific context. There are no grounds, however, for requiring that creationism and intelligent design be taught as part of a science course.”


Reference AAS URL 4: https://www.science.org.au/supporting-science/science-policy/position-statements/creationism-and-intelligent-design <https://www.science.org.au/supporting-science/science-policy/position-statements/creationism-and-intelligent-design>
Conclusion: The Australian Academy of Science by their position statement extract, quoted above, is condoning the teaching of Creationist pseudoscience in Australian religious schools.

Best Wishes,


Michael John McGarry

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