>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?
In reponse, I am taking the liberty to assume the use of terms as
follows:
"atheistic" , an adjective that means the denial of the existence of a
supreme being or of God
"intinsically" means the essential nature or characteristic of a thing
(as in inherently)
Added to this, please consider the use of the term "a-theistic" to mean
in the absence of a supreme being.
Whether the presentation of material in a textbook "a-theistically" is
intrinsically "atheistic" is a difficult argument to make. I have not
seen a public school textbook that states "There is no God.".
Two questions arise. Does the ommission of reference to the existence or
work of God imply that there is no God?
Second, is that same ommission evidence of an atheistic presentation of
the information? The answer may lie in the presentation of the material
or in the intent of the author.
One could reasonably argue that if a textbook exclusively presents
naturalism and evolution as the ONLY valid explanation for origins, or
the existence of present day life, than that argument is inherently
atheistic in that the writer has specifically chosen to preclude (deny)
the existence of supernatural (theistic) factors.
On the other hand, if the writer specifically acknowledges naturalism
and evolution as only one explanation then I would not consider that
textbook as atheistic. It is merely narrow in scope and presents only a
part of the known information on a subject.
Generally speaking, many textbooks fit neither method of presentation
and the question remains whether an atheistic presentation was intended.
I suppose one would have to research the background of the author to
discover any prior writings or statements that may shed some light on
their philosophical leanings.
To many people of faith, there is an appearance of atheism in the way
that the subject of evolution is presented. Many are aware that,
philosophically, many of the early proponents of modern educational
theory reasoned from a humanistic, and inherently atheistic,
perspective. These educational theorists saw public education as an
opportunity to free the minds of students from their antiquated
religious beliefs. Darwin's evolution, the root of the present day
presentation in many textbooks, was also inherently atheistic. The
combination of these two is seen as driving the teaching of the subject.
Julian Huxley is quoted as saying... "Darwinism removed the whole idea
of God as the creator of organisms from the sphere of rational
discussion. Darwin pointed out that no supernatural designer was needed;
since natural selection could account for every form of life, there was
no room for a supernatural agency in its evolution..... I think that we
can dismiss entirely all idea of a supernatural overriding mind being
responsible for the evolutionary process" (at the Darwinian Centennial
Celebration at the University of Chicago, from Henry Morris' book, The
Twilight of Evolution).
The history of the presentation of evolution in schools has proceeded
from an original atheistic beginning. Theistic explanations, even TE,
are not presented in public schools. Rather, the student is left to
piece together an incomplete puzzle with incomplete information. Perhaps
the exclusive presentation of "a-theistic" evolution in public schools
contibutes to the prevalance of theistic evolution as students attempt
to dovetail the teaching received in school with their faith in the
existence of God.
Please accept my comments as limited to public school, i.e. through high
school, presentation of evolution.
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"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17"
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Paul Durham pdd@gcc.cc.md.us
Oakland, Maryland