The Archbishop of Canterbury says to leave creationism out of the schools

Transcript of today's show:

In a recent interview, the Archbishop of Canterbury took Christians by surprise when he emphatically rejected the practice of teaching creationism in science classes. His reason? The creation story is too valid a category of knowledge to be presented alongside science. The Archbishop says that placing creation theory next to Darwinian theory will cause a belittling of Christian doctrine. [source: BBC]

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Sound Off: Science & Faith. Our point/counterpoint regulars Shelley (the voice of science) and Peter (the voice of faith), comment on the story.

The Voice of Science: Shelley Greene, Ph.D., comments:
A novel, yet interesting, stand on the separation of church and state. This understanding allows the faithful to be as passionate and enthusiastic about their faith without interfering with or stepping on the toes of science. However, as with many pronouncements on both sides of this debate, there is an underlying pre-supposition that religion and science are on the kind of equal epistemological footing that allows them to be compared in an either/or fashion. I argue that they are not to be compared nor made equal, but given their own unique and separate realms of existence. The one should not be threatening to the other.

The Voice of Faith: Peter Williamson, M.Div., comments:
The Archbishop has voiced a brilliant argument which we need to hear more of. The notion of our descending from apes is outrageous and belittling to the human soul. It is harmful to our society and to the individual's self-respect to teach such a theory, which is merely the speculation of secular scientists who can never prove their idea with absolute certainty. What arrogance to indoctrinate the young with this absurd lie. What a pity that those who teach this lie have the power to monopolize the education of our youth.

Political and religious leaders give Creation theory a thumbs down

Transcript of today's show:

A recent BBC survey of 1,000 public figures revealed that the majority do not believe in the Bible’s story of Creation. Those polled include religious leaders, leading politicians, newspaper editors, scientists and teachers. Of the 103 church leaders who took part in the survey, only three said they believed in the literal version of the Creation, in which God created the world in six days. [source: BBC]

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Sound Off: Science & Faith. Our point/counterpoint regulars Shelley (the voice of science) and Peter (the voice of faith), comment on the story.

The Voice of Science: Shelley Greene, Ph.D., comments:
This poll would seem to contradict an earlier BBC poll that stated a majority of Britains do not believe that evolution is the sole explanation for how we all got here. As I recall, this group of Brits were of moderate education and economic status. So it’s interesting to look at the dramatic 97% rejection of Creation theory by this group of higher educated professionals who hold top positions in their fields. I naturally wonder if education, life experience, and professional responsibility has any bearing on how deeply one considers questions such as the validity of the Biblical Creation story and the veracity of scientific evidence.

The Voice of Faith: Peter Williamson, M.Div., comments:
Studies such as this one are indeed very convenient for science, who most certainly consider it another ‘proof’, a vindication of their flawless grasp of truth. What do you say, however, to the carefully documented fact that more than half of those who live in civilized countries believe they did not descend from apes? These figures are indeed an ‘inconvenient truth’ for evolutionary scientists.