Creation theory dominates science education in Turkey
Transcript of today's show: Sound Off: Science & Faith. Our point/counterpoint regulars Shelley (the voice of science) and Peter (the voice of faith), comment on the story.
A lavishly illustrated "Atlas of Creation" is on display in schools throughout Turkey, proclaiming that Darwin's theory of evolution is the real root of terrorism. Since the late 1990’s, Turkish schools have replaced evolution theory with Islamic creation theory, which also teaches that God created the world in six days. The maps are the generous donations of Islamic creationists, who enjoy a power base in the Middle East U.S. creationists can only dream of. [source: Tom Heneghan/Reuters]
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The Voice of Faith: Peter Williamson, M.Div., comments:
When public opinion in Turkey overwhelmingly supported the authority of the Islamic Holy Koran (with roots in the Old testament), the government brought their educational policies in line. Here in America, Christian believers must endlessly contend with the ACLU, atheistic scientists, and liberal judges like Judge John Jones, who turned a deaf ear to the voice of a growing majority, and in the process, turned his back on his own Christian faith.
The Voice of Science: Shelley Greene, Ph.D., comments:
We see in this that doctrinal fundamentalism is not monopolized by evangelical Christians, who recently have sought to make the US the laughing stock of the international scientific and political communities. Like the Bible, the Koran is another sacrosanct “Holy Book” that promises to answer all questions regardless of how well the answers hold up to scientific fact, basic reason, or simple logic. The grievous socio-political-scientific fiasco of fundamentalism is that the answers to all things cannot come out of one book no matter how holy. The seeming avalanche of fundamentalism in the world, Christian and Islamic alike, is horrifying, especially in light of their agenda to impose their doctrine and dogma on all people, not to mention on society itself.