My personal experience of being taught biological evolutionary theory at a
public (state government) school in Australia in the early 70's is not
consistent with this claim. Religious and philosophical issues simply were
not raised in any part of my pre-university science education.
Further, the US-published textbooks that I now possess are careful to ensure
that they state very clearly that nothing contained in them should be taken
as contradictory to any religious belief. Some examples:
"Evidence gathered by scientific procedures does not diminish the value of
the biblical account of creation. Religious beliefs are not based on
falsifiable hypotheses, as science is; they serve different purposes, giving
meaning and guidance to human lives. The legitimacy of both religion and
science is undermined when a religious belief is called science."
("Life - The Science of Biology"; Purves, Orians, Heller; 1995; Sinauer
Associates Inc.; p.15)
"Finally, it is worth stressing that there need be no conflict between the
theory of evolution and religious belief. This is not an 'either/or'
controversy, in which accepting evolution means rejecting religion. No
important religious beliefs are contradicted by the theory of evolution, and
religion and evolution should be able to coexist peacefully in anyone's set
of beliefs about life."
("Evolution"; Mark Ridley; 1993; Blackwell Science Inc.; p.58)
I realise, of course, that a sample of two is far too small to draw any
valid conclusions.
Does anyone have any examples of quotes from public school or university
science textbooks, reference material or study aids that specifically deny
the existence of a personal God or otherwise promote atheism?
Alternatively, is there anyone on the Reflector who believes that the
exclusive teaching of biological evolutionary theory in school and
university science courses IS intrinsically atheistic, and would be willing
to provide a rigorous defence of that opinion for further discussion?
Or, if there is anyone who has investigate these claims and found them to be
without substance, could they provide information on their investigation?
Regards
Derek
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| Derek McLarnen | dmclarne@pcug.org.au |
| Melba ACT | dmclarne@ncomcanb.telstra.com.au |
| Australia | |
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