Petition · PE01530 · Session 4
Guidance on how creationism is presented in schools
Signatures
0
Comments
41
Considered
4 meetings
What it asks
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to issue official guidance to bar the presentation in Scottish publicly funded schools of separate creation and of Young Earth doctrines as viable alternatives to the established science of evolution, common descent, and deep time.
What the petitioner did first
This Section documents some of the many attempts that have been made to obtain official guidance on creationism and Intelligent Design from the Scottish Qualifications Authority and from Government Ministers, and how these have been unsuccessful. We apologise for the length, but feel it is important to quote official correspondence in detail.
The [Sunday] Herald (10 Oct 2010) reported at the time of the launch of Glasgow’s Centre for Intelligent Design that the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association and the Educational Institute of Scotland had both requested guidance, but that none was forthcoming.
On 9 October, Prof Paul Braterman had written to a colleague, with copies to various interested parties, as follows:
“Some of my colleagues feel, as I do, that the Curriculum for Excellence and the examinations syllabi should include, as the analogous documents in England do, explicit guidance stating that creationism and Intelligence Design are not scientific theories and should not be taught as such. Who should they write to express this view?
The matter is given additional urgency by the recent establishment in Glasgow of the Centre for Intelligent Design. I enclose a background information piece on them that I put together on behalf of BCSE at the request of a Sunday Herald reporter, as well as a sample of the material sent to schools by Truth in Science, a group whose personnel and supporters strongly overlaps those of C for ID.
The matter has attracted considerable attention; a piece that I wrote about the closely related Discovery Institute for a local webzine attracted over 1000 hits.”
In response, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) advised that in their view this was a matter for teachers’ individual professional judgement and, by implication, that there was no problem that needed addressing.
On 10 November 2010, a parliamentary question from Patrick Harvie to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning drew the response:
"I say to Patrick Harvie that I can and will distinguish between belief and scientific fact; that is absolutely what I should do. However, I will not be a censor or forbid people from holding opinions or beliefs"
It is precisely because of the difference between individual belief, which must be free, and what should be presented as valid with the authority of the educational system, which must be scientifically and pedagogically defensible, that the guidance we seek is necessary.
More recent correspondence has been equally inconclusive and unhelpful. To take the most recent of many examples, on 1 October 2013, in the wake of the Kirktonholme scandal, Caroline Lynch, then Chair of Scottish Secular Society (SSS) wrote on behalf of SSS to the SQA as follows:
Creationism and Evolution Denial in Scottish Schools
“As you will no doubt be aware, creationism and the denial of evolution has been found in three separate Scottish schools in a very short period of time. This confirms our belief that such views and excesses may be endemic in the system.
The Scottish curriculum does not specifically state that teaching creationism as an alternative to the overwhelming scientific consensus on the origins of the universe or that teaching intelligent design as an alternative to evolution, or in any context as a viable alternative to accepted science, is unacceptable. This is not the case in England and Wales, where the Department for Education has stated that “We do not expect creationism, intelligent design and similar ideas to be taught as valid scientific theories in any state funded school.” The National Secular Society wrote to you in 2010 with similar warnings and we are deeply disappointed that no unequivocal statement has so far been made. The potential for harm and abuse is now very clear.
Our repeated warnings abou
The [Sunday] Herald (10 Oct 2010) reported at the time of the launch of Glasgow’s Centre for Intelligent Design that the Scottish Secondary Teachers’ Association and the Educational Institute of Scotland had both requested guidance, but that none was forthcoming.
On 9 October, Prof Paul Braterman had written to a colleague, with copies to various interested parties, as follows:
“Some of my colleagues feel, as I do, that the Curriculum for Excellence and the examinations syllabi should include, as the analogous documents in England do, explicit guidance stating that creationism and Intelligence Design are not scientific theories and should not be taught as such. Who should they write to express this view?
The matter is given additional urgency by the recent establishment in Glasgow of the Centre for Intelligent Design. I enclose a background information piece on them that I put together on behalf of BCSE at the request of a Sunday Herald reporter, as well as a sample of the material sent to schools by Truth in Science, a group whose personnel and supporters strongly overlaps those of C for ID.
The matter has attracted considerable attention; a piece that I wrote about the closely related Discovery Institute for a local webzine attracted over 1000 hits.”
In response, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) advised that in their view this was a matter for teachers’ individual professional judgement and, by implication, that there was no problem that needed addressing.
On 10 November 2010, a parliamentary question from Patrick Harvie to the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning drew the response:
"I say to Patrick Harvie that I can and will distinguish between belief and scientific fact; that is absolutely what I should do. However, I will not be a censor or forbid people from holding opinions or beliefs"
It is precisely because of the difference between individual belief, which must be free, and what should be presented as valid with the authority of the educational system, which must be scientifically and pedagogically defensible, that the guidance we seek is necessary.
More recent correspondence has been equally inconclusive and unhelpful. To take the most recent of many examples, on 1 October 2013, in the wake of the Kirktonholme scandal, Caroline Lynch, then Chair of Scottish Secular Society (SSS) wrote on behalf of SSS to the SQA as follows:
Creationism and Evolution Denial in Scottish Schools
“As you will no doubt be aware, creationism and the denial of evolution has been found in three separate Scottish schools in a very short period of time. This confirms our belief that such views and excesses may be endemic in the system.
The Scottish curriculum does not specifically state that teaching creationism as an alternative to the overwhelming scientific consensus on the origins of the universe or that teaching intelligent design as an alternative to evolution, or in any context as a viable alternative to accepted science, is unacceptable. This is not the case in England and Wales, where the Department for Education has stated that “We do not expect creationism, intelligent design and similar ideas to be taught as valid scientific theories in any state funded school.” The National Secular Society wrote to you in 2010 with similar warnings and we are deeply disappointed that no unequivocal statement has so far been made. The potential for harm and abuse is now very clear.
Our repeated warnings abou
Where it was considered
Official Report-
11 Nov 20141 mention
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27 Jan 20151 mention
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10 Mar 20151 mention
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12 May 20151 mention
Signatures by country
651 online signaturesComments
41 comments, oldest first-
Mark Gordon 22 Jul 2014Such anti-scientific nonsense has no place in Scottish schools save for discussion as a particular minor worldview in Religious Education.
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Richard Cox 22 Jul 2014Creationism is religion-based and has no place in (any of) our schools.
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Gordy 23 Jul 2014If a newly independent Scotland outlawed all faith schools I would be even more impressed. It's the 21st century Scotland...come on!
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Terence Martin 24 Jul 2014Young people deserve the best in scientific teaching. Creationism and Intelligent Design is anti-science and goes against all objective sense.
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Bill Oliver 24 Jul 2014The actual science of evolution should be taught in schools and alongside this an explanation of the religious beliefs of all faiths and their version of how we came to be should be presented. Freedom of belief and tolerance of alternative view points should be instilled in everyone, should it not?
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Dr Gail Addis 25 Jul 2014The Scottish Government must take a strong stance on this. Children must not be taught lies about the origins of life on this planet.
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David Kelly 26 Jul 2014Creationism is a licence to indoctrinate children to know otherwise in religious values in their Science classroom. It cannot be allowed by any enlightened government anywhere.
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Achilleas Paul Zotos 26 Jul 2014We've moved past the time for beliefs in creationism and magical beings, it's the Era of science, and people should be educated in such a way that it'd benefit them and the rest of society... Creationism leads to many other beliefs, it should be stomped out.
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Gordon Drummond 27 Jul 2014The recent reports into governance of Birmingham schools demonstrate that religious infiltration into education is far from a merely theoretical threat. Adequate governance starts at the top: this is a national, parliamentary, responsibility.
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kay saxon 27 Jul 2014Children should be taught to question everything and the prevailing theory, amounting to truth by way of evidence, is evolution.
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The Rev. Dr. J. Stuart Wells 29 Jul 2014Science and religion are not enemies. Each has something important to tell us about human life.
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Kevin Cargill 30 Jul 2014Education must be about facts and evidence. Religious fairy stories must be presented as such to malleable young minds.
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S Murray 31 Jul 2014We will be a laughing stock in the international setting if creationism is taught in our schools (other than in a Current Affairs setting.) We have our international science and research base to protect.
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Michael Roberts 1 Aug 2014I am a Church of England priest and geologist and oppose teaching nonsense dressed up a science anywhere whether in my country of England or Scotland
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frank gillingham 2 Aug 2014The Scottish parliament is restricted in its powers by the ECHR. 1st. Protocol Article2 of which states that -"the State shall respect the right of parents to ensure such education and teaching in conformity with their own religions and philosophical convictions." So, if parents want their children to be taught creationism that is the business of the parents and no one else. What the anti
- creationists want to do is impose their own dubious theories on others. Since this petition is contrary to the rights of parents under the above protocol it must be rejected. -
Ron McLaren 8 Aug 2014God Centred life views or Young Earth advocates should only have presence in Religious, Philosophical & Moral Education. But certainly not within a science curriculum.
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Paul J. McConnochie 8 Aug 2014The children of Scotland have a right not to be preached at, and not to have their education affected by religion.
It is our moral responsibility to ensure them an education free from religious indoctrination, and of a standard to ensure they are equipped to navigate the world effectively.
End obligatory worship. End faith schools. And, stop fundamentalist groups gaining access to our children. -
Richard Reid 9 Aug 2014We are plagued by support for this drivel by the 'government' in Northern Ireland sad that a more enlightened country like Scotland should even remotely consider such medieval trash in its schools.
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John Armour 9 Aug 2014As a retired secondary school teacher in Northern Ireland I am shocked to learn that creationism has found its way into the curriculum of Scottish schools to compete with Science on an equal footing. This is patent nonsense and has no place here. There is no creationism in Science and no Science in creationism. If it has to be found a place then it must ONLY be in religious education classes.
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Jonathan Dore 9 Aug 2014Frank Gillingham, the State has to respect the right of parents to make their own provision for their child's education, if they don't like that provided in state schools. But the state is under no obligation to provide, at taxpayer expense, an education that conforms to the particular religious doctrines of the parent.
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Alexander Robert Fraser 10 Aug 2014Creationism is not fact and has no place in the classroom. Leave it in church where it belongs.
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John Ogden 11 Aug 2014Scotland is noted for leading in science and technology. Let's not lose this. Facts not myth based lessons in the science class please.
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Patricia Caird 15 Aug 2014The most important tool we can give our children is the ability to question and to recognise bad arguments. The only way to do that is to encourage inductive thinking and critical analysis. Creationism should not be taught, especially as a 'fact' or as an alternative to science, or to teach the 'alternative' argument. There is no argument between science and Creationism: Creationism is j wrong in its premises and conclusions and is therefore no alternative to science as a tool for discovering reality. Creationism, if it has a use, is only good as an exercise into what constitutes and demonstrates a 'bad' argument. one without merit,or any basis in reality.. Other than that, it is of no worth whatsoever within an educational environment, especially one that purports to have a modern and forward thinking.curriculum. Creationism is anti-antithetical to such an endeavour. There is little enough time to teach children important knowledge without using precious time in the classroom to teach useless and unimportant drivel.
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john duffin 17 Aug 2014Be sure to teach a class how humpty dumpty was born, fell, then tried to be put back together again.
Every school child needs to learn this lesson.
For cultural reasons, community cohesion, community diversity, blah, blah, blah. -
Iain Bowles 17 Aug 2014Belief does not belong in the classroom the same as facts are not accepted in Chuches
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ROBERT BROWN 22 Aug 2014I find it incomprehensible that teaching of creationism is permitted and offered as an alternative to evolution.
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Ian Collacott 25 Aug 2014Creationism, or "Creation Science", is not a testable scientific theorem which might be modified in the light of new evidence. It is a faith-based doctrine, and has no place in any science or science-related syllabus. To dignify this incoherent belief with consideration as a science is indefensible.
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M. Herbert 25 Aug 2014Young generation should learn science not creationism tales. Science has been proven as very useful to human history, and a universal language that all kind of people can understand.
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Ritchie Annand 25 Aug 2014Creationism is no mere religion on its own terms, it is also a smear against scientists and a smear against teachers, claiming everything from scientists just looking at the data differently to being the underlying cause for crime, divorce and depravity.
Read any creationist book you like... they can be had online if you wish. You will be astounded at the number of things claimed to remain unsolved and the postulated alternatives that are somehow still possible and, of course, support a 6,000 year old Earth. Where they don't lie, they ignore or handwave, and they've got to know they're doing it by now, because they've been doing the same thing for the past four decades. -
Andy Nimmo 26 Aug 2014Keep religion in the churches and science in schools!
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Liam McGrady 26 Aug 2014Creationsim? No thanks. But my son's first school assembly this week is all about the Son of God?! Why? I clearly stated in the paperwork that he came from a non religeous household. Why is religion in our schools at all? Aren't there enough empty churches to go to if you want your child indoctrinated with bogus creation myths?
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Sandeha Lynch 26 Aug 2014Creationism and its equivalents are mythical interpretations and cannot be presented alongside scientific enquiry. Our children deserve better.
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Allan Beattie 27 Aug 2014Inaccurate religious dogma should not be taught in schools as if scientific fact. To do so is utterly reprehensible.
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Brian Rees 27 Aug 2014Brainwashing young minds is obscene. Any coverage of religion should be in a History lesson. Any idea of individuals entering into any unsubstantiated sect should only happen when they have a critical brain able to cope with it.
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Nigel Walker 27 Aug 2014Unbelievable that we still have to fight this battle in this day and age
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Paul Braterman 27 Aug 2014We don't allow anti-vaxxers into our schools to undermine health education and we shouldn't invite (as we presently do) anti-evolutionists into our schools to undermine science teaching.
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Carl Wright 28 Aug 2014By allowing ALL religion the 'acceptance' and legal protection that it currently enjoys, we are storing up a major problem for the future generations which will prove to be the demise of all 'civilized' cultures. People are entitled to believe in absolutely anything they wish (a point which cannot be denied under any circumstances), but no 'belief has a right to be included in law, and certainly not in any education system. We must wake up to the dangers of any religion infiltrating political systems. Most, at least in the western world, are at present, fairly benign, but all have the potential to produce extremists,and impose their will on everyone else at some point in time. It is time to act now by removing EVERY trace of religion from law so that we all, whatever our beliefs, can live together in harmony. Every single one of us is entirely dependant on science, and it is the only thing that keeps us all ticking along. To undermine it in any way is pure stupidity and should not be tolerated at all.
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mich wood 29 Aug 2014Just stop this nonsense please.
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Lois Bell 2 Sep 2014Personally I don't think any form of religious belief should be part of the publicly funded education system. If people want to educate their children in matters of faith or religion, then they have the ability to do so through churches, sunday schools and their own family time. Religion should stay out of education, healthcare etc. It's only relevance is in matters of faith, and education is most definitely not a matter of faith.
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David Somers 2 Sep 2014Seriously, just don't.
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Keith Gilmour 3 Sep 2014Happily creationism is only being promoted in a very small number of Scottish schools but it should be promoted in zero! It is not science. It is an attempt to interpret one particular set of religious myths as science and to deny any and all scientific evidence that contradicts this approach. I have talked to several school chaplains over the years. To my knowledge, only one was a creationist. That is still one too many. I have worked with several science teachers. Some were theists and some were not. To my knowledge, 'none' were creationists. A few had, however, received unsolicited creationist tripe through the post at their school addresses. Science cannot rule out a God but it can certainly rule out creationism. Theological and philosophical questions of whether or not a God exists who is ultimately responsible for the existence of life, the universe, and everything can be passed along to the RMPS department. Some scientists (e.g. Francis Collins) would argue yes, other scientists (e.g. Richard Dawkins) would argue no. Creationism is not "in the museum of discarded ideas" -- but it should be! Intelligent Design in not a "technically complex semi-science." -- It is a mix of god-of-the-gaps reasoning and evolution-denial! A pity, by the way, to see a few comments below arguing for pupils to be kept ignorant about the beliefs, values and practices of Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Humanists, Sikhs, etc ("Belief does not belong in the classroom the same as facts are not accepted in Chuches", "Keep religion in the churches", "Why is religion in our schools at all?", "Any coverage of religion should be in a History lesson", "If people want to educate their children...").