Well, it's been over a year now, so perhaps it's time to begin posting again. Nothing has been wrong, thank heavens. The hiatus has been due to nothing more than sheer laziness. In fact, life has generally been treating me well, although more and more family members and friends seem to be preceding me to the Great Beyond. This is perhaps natural in this "sunset phase" of my life.
The inspiration for today's post is the "debate" that occurred in the US last evening between Bill Nye (aka "The Science Guy") and Ken Ham, a self-proclaimed "expert" on "creationism" and promoter of the so-called "Creation Museum" in Kentucky, USA. This "museum" is not accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, by the way.
That there even has to be a "debate" in the 21st century in what is arguably the most enlightened nation in the world - a conclusion that is definitely in question because of events like this - is frightening, IMHO. It indicates that the US is closer to becoming a theocracy than one might imagine. There are well-funded corporate interests who would love for this to become a reality: a theocracy where radical right-wing Christianity would hold sway.
Mr Nye pointed out, "I just want to remind us all that there are billions of people in the world who are deeply religious, who get enriched by the wonderful sense of community by their religion. But these same people do not embrace the extraordinary view that the Earth is somehow only 6,000 years old." I fully agree with this statement. There are plenty of deeply religious people who can reconcile their faith with science. Those same people also understand that the place for teaching religious concepts is in their religious institution, whether that institution be church/mosque/synagogue/ashram/whatever and the place for practicing religion is in their own personal lives - not in the public education or political systems. I have great respect for such people, even though I myself am agnostic.
That an overwhelming majority of those (at least 92% of those polled on the I-net) who watched the "debate" believed that Nye "won" restores my faith in humanity somewhat. But learning that hundreds of religious schools in the US that receive public funds teach "creationism" in science classes does not!
Creationism is NOT science. Period.
Unfortunately, this pervasive - and wholly incorrect - belief has found its way back to this side of The Pond as well. Last week, stories circulated that seven schools in four cantons of Switzerland are teaching creationism in science classes. Two schools are located in Geneva canton. All these religious schools are supported by the Evangelical Church Association.
The Swiss educational authorities were somewhat nonplussed - as well as embarrassed - by this revelation and currently the situation is under investigation by the Department of Public Instruction. It is true that neither the Swiss Constitution nor cantonal laws prevent the teaching of creationism. The very rational Swiss had never foreseen such a preposterous need. In fact, the Council of Europe has stated that.the theory is "...hopelessly inadequate for science classes." In the UK, some educators argue that laws are needed to prevent "indoctrination" in independent schools.
It is long past time for that in the US, IMO.
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