Government guidance regarding creationism in schools

Evangelical Alliance Statement

01 October 2007

The Evangelical Alliance welcomes the Government guidance, released today, that encourages teachers to “respect” the views of religious students. We also welcome the acknowledgment that science does not contradict “traditional beliefs in creation and design."

However, we call upon the Government to be a little more scientific in its pronouncements and avoid guidance that confuses rather than clarifies important and controversial issues.

The Government guidance makes repeated references to the inappropriateness of “creationism” being taught in scientific lessons, without defining the term sufficiently at the start.

While “creationism” is usually used by secular commentators to refer to the creation of the universe in six twenty-four hour periods within the last ten thousand years (so-called young-earth creationism), many religious people would use the term “creationist” in a broader sense to refer to the belief that God created everything that exists, whether six thousand years ago, or over billions of years. Clarity over this issue would have avoided confusing the teacher or student who fully accepts the findings of modern science regarding the origins of the universe and life, but who also believes that God was acting through these scientific processes.

The very existence of many internationally recognised scientists who also believe in a creator God indicates that any simplistic opposition between science and creationism is inappropriate.

Dr Justin Thacker, Head of Theology at the Evangelical Alliance and medical doctor, said: “The wider danger, here, is that science becomes cut off from other disciplines that are relevant. Science can only be properly understood or applied when it is put in its social, historical, philosophical, ethical and religious context.

“The history of science has shown that there are serious dangers involved in isolating science from these other subjects, and we hope that this latest guidance will not increase the likelihood of this.”

Trevor Cooling, Director of Transforming Lives, an interdenominational project that promotes teaching as a Christian vocation, said: “What is really important is that we don’t ban conversation about God from the science classroom in an over-reaction against creationism.

“It is vitally important that children learn to set science in the wider context of beliefs and values. If we are going to achieve community cohesion in a multifaith society, children have to learn to talk about religion in all areas of life, not just in RE lessons.

“Creationism is a controversial issue, which millions of people believe in, whatever atheists may feel about that. Government guidelines are clear that controversial issues should be taught in a balanced, not biased, way in every subject.”

Today’s guidance comes in a week in which proposals to oppose the teaching of creationism will be debated by the Council of Europe in Strasbourg.