It is not too auspicious when the journalists reporting the story have problems getting the science right. Statements such as "Related to biological evolution is the concept that the universe began with a ``big bang'' and that only later were the sun and the planets formed." or the 6 billion year age for the earth (off by 1/3 as much as young earth dates) don't promote good science education.
The problem of defining creationist is also an issue. Explicit mention of people accepting the Bible and evolution would have been helpful.
There is also a germ of truth in Phil's accusation of propagandizing in that purported religious or philosophical implications are often mentioned in textbook discussions of the history of evolutionary thought or in discussion of randomness. However, he believes the propaganda and attacks the science.
Dr. David Campbell
"Old Seashells"
Biology Department
Saint Mary's College of Maryland
18952 E. Fisher Road
St. Mary's City, MD 20686-3001 USA
dcampbell@osprey.smcm.edu, 301 862-0372 Fax: 301 862-0996
"Mollusks murmured 'Morning!'. And salmon chanted 'Evening!'."-Frank Muir, Oh My Word!
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