Creation and evolution in public education

(Redirected from Politics of creationism)

The status of creation and evolution in public education has been the subject of substantial debate and conflict in legal, political, and religious circles.[1] Globally, there are a wide variety of views on the topic. Most western countries have legislation that mandates only evolutionary biology is to be taught in the appropriate scientific syllabuses.[2]

Overview

edit

While many Christian denominations do not raise theological objections to the modern evolutionary synthesis as an explanation for the present forms of life on planet Earth, various socially conservative, traditionalist, and fundamentalist religious sects and political groups within Christianity and Islam have objected vehemently to the study and teaching of biological evolution.[1][3] Some adherents of these Christian and Islamic religious sects or political groups are passionately opposed to the consensus view of the scientific community.[1] Literal interpretations of religious texts are the greatest cause of conflict with evolutionary and cosmological investigations and conclusions.[1]

Internationally, biological evolution is taught in science courses with limited controversy, with the exception of a few areas of the United States and several Muslim-majority countries, primarily Turkey.[1] In the United States, the Supreme Court has ruled the teaching of creationism as science in public schools to be unconstitutional, irrespective of how it may be purveyed in theological or religious instruction. In the United States, intelligent design (ID) has been represented as an alternative explanation to evolution in recent decades, but its "demonstrably religious, cultural, and legal missions" have been ruled unconstitutional by a lower court.[4][5][6][7]

By country

edit

Australia

edit

Although creationist views are popular among religious education teachers and creationist teaching materials have been distributed by volunteers in some schools,[8] many Australian scientists take an aggressive stance supporting the right of teachers to teach the theory of evolution, unhindered by religious restrictions.

An essential element in the teaching of science is the encouragement of students and teachers to critically appraise the evidence for notions being taught as science. The Society states unequivocally that the dogmatic teaching of notions such as Creationism within a science curriculum stifles the development of critical thinking patterns in the developing mind and seriously compromises the best interests of objective public education. This could eventually hamper the advancement of science and technology as students take their places as leaders of future generations.

Brazil

edit

In Brazil, teaching of creationism in scientific education classes is forbidden by the Ministry of Education (MEC).[10] Religious education is not forbidden as such, but the federal constitution states that the union can neither impose, nor promote, nor finance any religion, because by law Brazil is a secular state.[11] In 2004 however, teachers of religious education classes in schools of the education department of Rio de Janeiro began to present creationism in their classes as scientific fact. The practice was directly initiated by politicians in power who were promoting their personal religious views, and their action moved Brazilian scientists to protest the abuse.[12][13] Subsequently, in congress a "religious bench," or faction, has become increasingly influential.[14] For example, a Brazilian senator, Marcelo Crivella, the former Minister of Fishing and Aquaculture, publicly declared his religiously founded antagonism to evolution.[15] Such prominent influences have drawn the attention of the defenders of the secular state.[16]

China

edit

Evolutionary theory is part of the public education in the People's Republic of China.[17] As private religious schools are rare, nearly all students receiving primary and secondary education in Mainland China receive education that includes evolutionary theory. However, one study has identified limitations with the textbooks used in Mainland China, including the absence of topics covered in other countries such as the USSR and the USA.[18]

Council of Europe

edit

On October 4, 2007, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) adopted its Resolution 1580 titled "The dangers of creationism in education". The resolution observed that "The war on the theory of evolution and on its proponents most often originates in forms of religious extremism closely linked to extreme right-wing political movements," and urged member states "firmly oppose the teaching of creationism as a scientific discipline on an equal footing with the theory of evolution and in general the presentation of creationist ideas in any discipline other than religion."[19]

Denmark

edit

On April 25, 2007, Member of Parliament Martin Henriksen (Danish People's Party) asked Education Minister Bertel Haarder (Liberal Party of Denmark) for information about how many educational institutions had received The Atlas of Creation (2006) by Harun Yahya.[20] The minister responded that the Ministry of Education was not in possession of information about the number of educational institutions that had received the book. Further, he stated that the choice of educational materials is decided by local school boards. Moreover, it is his view that the end goal of primary school biology instruction is to enable students to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to explain the basic elements of heredity and evolution and to address the issues related to the biological coursework.[21]

In interview sessions during 2002, less than 10% of the interviewed Danes declared the theory of evolution as being definitely false.[22]

Hungary

edit

Evolution was accepted by the Hungarian education system soon after Darwin wrote about it.[23]

India

edit

From April 2023, content on evolution was removed from science textbooks. According to India's National Council for Education, Research and Training (NCERT), this decision was made to lighten students' workload following the Covid-19 pandemic. In the broader sociopolitical context, some Hindu-nationalist politicians had recently been expressing skepticism about evolution, despite a longer history of compatibility between Hindu views and the theory of evolution. Many scientists and educators were critical of the deletion of evolution-related material from textbooks.[24]

Iran

edit

Iranian scientific development, especially the health-related aspects of biology, has been a goal of the Islamic government since the Iranian Revolution of 1979.[25] Since Iranian traditional practice of Shi'a religion isn't preoccupied with Qur'anic literalism as in case of fundamentalist Wahhabism but ijtihad, many influential Iranian Shi'ite scholars, including several who were closely involved in the Iranian Revolution, are not opposed to evolutionary ideas in general, disagreeing that evolution necessarily conflicts with the Muslim mainstream.[25] Evolution is incorporated in the science curriculum starting from the 5th grade. An emphasis is placed on empirical evidence, such as the study of fossils, rather than Islamic scripture, thus portraying geologists and other types of scientists as the authoritative voices of scientific knowledge.[25]

Israel

edit

In Israel, compulsory education is separate for secular Jews, ultra-Orthodox Jews and Arabs. In the ultra-Orthodox education system, theory of evolution is not being taught. It has been taught regularly in the secular education system. However, following the rise of religious right-wing parties, evolution has been gradually removed from the school curriculum.[26]

Japan

edit

The theory of evolution is taught in Japan as part of the education policy. The teaching of evolution began already under the Japanese Empire, and the first academic lecture on evolution was given at Tokyo Imperial University by American biology expert Edward Morse on September 12, 1877.[27]

Netherlands

edit

In the Netherlands some factions teach creationism in their own schools, besides evolution.[28] In May 2005, a discussion on intelligent design erupted when Minister of Education Maria van der Hoeven suggested that debate about intelligent design might encourage discourse between the country's various religious groups. She sought to "stimulate an academic debate" on the subject. Following strong objection from some scientists,[29] she dropped plans of holding a conference on the matter.[13] After the 2007 elections, she was succeeded by Ronald Plasterk, described as a "molecular geneticist, staunch atheist and opponent of intelligent design."[30]

Norway

edit

In 1986, Norway's then-Minister of Church and Education Affairs Kjell Magne Bondevik proposed new education plans for the elementary and middle school levels which included skepticism of the theory of evolution and would hold that a final answer to the origin of mankind was unknown. The proposal was withdrawn after it had generated controversy.[31]

Pakistan

edit

Although it has been claimed that evolution is not taught in Pakistani universities;[13] the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan, which is the federal body which sets standards of course content, has knowledge and understanding of evolution as being compulsory for several courses such as microbiology,[32] bioinformatics,[33] zoology,[34] botany[35] as well as others. In 2006, the Pakistan Academy of Sciences became a signatory of the InterAcademy Panel Statement on "The teaching of evolution."[36] Many of the contemporary titles on the creation–evolution controversy, such as those by biologist Richard Dawkins, are available for general sale.[37]

Poland

edit

Poland saw a controversy over creationism in 2006 when Deputy Education Minister Mirosław Orzechowski denounced evolution as a lie taught in Polish schools. His superior, Minister of National Education Roman Giertych, has stated that the theory of evolution would continue to be taught in Polish schools, "as long as most scientists in our country say that it is the right theory." Giertych's father, Member of the European Parliament Maciej Giertych, has however opposed the teaching of evolution and has claimed that "in every culture there are indications that we remember dinosaurs. The Scots have Nessie; we Poles have the Wawel dragon."[38]

Romania

edit

In 1998, Ioan Moisin, a Christian Democratic senator and a Greek Catholic priest, called upon Romania's Ministry of Education to establish a commission of Catholics who would revise biology textbooks and philosophical textbooks to not contradict Biblical creationism. Moisin disapproved of students learning from their religious teachers that God created human beings and then learning the contrary from biology and philosophy teachers that humans and apes descend from a common ancestor as a product of evolution by Darwinian natural selection. Moisin's proposal to establish the commission also sought to form a Council of Public Morality that would feature representatives composed of teachers and clergy, to oversee public education, and to be subordinated only to the direct authority of the President of Romania. Romania's Parliament and Ministry of Education never seriously considered the latter proposals.[39] However, starting the year 2006 and ongoing[when?] Darwinian evolution was discontinued from newly printed school books throughout the country without being reintroduced.[40][41]

Russia

edit

In December 2006, a schoolgirl in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and her father took the issue of the teaching of evolution in Russian schools to court. The Russian Ministry of Education supports the theory of evolution. Representatives of the Russian Orthodox Church backed the suit.[42][43] In February 2007, the first instance court, and in July, the second instance court, ruled in favour of the Ministry.[44]

In August 2014 the Mayor of Kazan, Il'sur Metshin, expressed surprise at schools teaching the "theory of Darwin".[45] He added that he intended to raise the question of the school curriculum at the federal level.[46]

Saudi Arabia

edit

As a religious state, Saudi Arabia has denied the theory of evolution in their science education. Science textbooks approved by the Saudi Ministry of Education have associated Darwin with Western philosophy which they reject and perceive to be "problematic".[47] Saudi's denial of evolution originated from the lack of secularization in the nation, the continuing development of its education system, and its homogenic religious population.[47] King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, the only co-ed university in the state, received criticism for its co-ed establishment and was called for further scrutiny in its science curriculum.[48] Sheikh Saad al-Shithri, a religious scholar, stated that "the recommendation is to set up sharia committees at this university to oversee these studies and look into what violates the sharia (Islamic law)".[48] He further states, "We are looking at some of the sciences that have included some irregular and alien ideologies, like evolution and such other ideologies".[48]

According to a poll by Reuters News, Saudi Arabia was ranked the highest in the list of countries that favor creationist views.[49] As an Islamist state, Saudi education policies are centered around an Islamic worldview.[50] This is referenced in various science textbooks, such a 6th grade textbook teaching divine creation by citing a Quran verse that states "we have indeed created man with the best of moulds".[50] A 10th grade textbook includes a glossary of biological terms with religious explanation, such as the term adaptation being defined as "Allah, glory to him, created for organisms those characteristics and structures that enable them to live in their different environments".[50]

A Saudi 12th-grade textbook mentions evolution by name only where it claims that Charles Darwin has "denied Allah's creation of humanity".[25] The rest of the textbook focuses on descriptions of the taxonomic ranks: it makes no further mention of evolution, only quoting Qur'an verses as relevant to certain groups of animals.[25]

Serbia

edit

In Serbia the teaching of evolution was suspended for one week in 2004, under Minister of Education and Sport Ljiljana Čolić, only allowing schools to reintroduce evolution into the curriculum if they also taught creationism.[51] "After a deluge of protest from scientists, teachers and opposition parties" says the BBC report, Čolić's deputy, Milan Brdar, made the statement, "I have come here to confirm Charles Darwin is still alive" and announced that the decision was reversed.[52] Čolić resigned after the government said that she had caused "problems that had started to reflect on the work of the entire government."[53]

South Korea

edit

The theory of evolution is part of the educational curriculum in public schools in South Korea. However, in 2012, South Korean Ministry of Education ordered to remove references to this theory from some high school textbooks.[54]

Turkey

edit

In Turkey, a country where the majority of population is Muslim, evolution is often a controversial subject. Evolution was added to the school curriculum shortly after the Turkish Revolution of the 1920s and 30s.[55] There was some resistance to this, such as that of Said Nursî and his followers, but opposition was not particularly powerful.[55] In fact, some prominent Turkish scholars during the first decades of the new-born Turkish republic, such as Ahmet Hamdi Akseki (d. 1951), who once served as the President of Religious Affairs of Turkey, and İzmirli İsmail Hakkı (d. 1946) thought that the theory of evolution cannot be seen as contrary to Islam because it was already to be found in the classical works of Muslim theology.[56] In the 1980s, conservatives came into power, and used the ideas of scientific creationists in the US as a method of discrediting evolution (notwithstanding material on the age of the Earth, which Islamic creationism is less specific about).

One anti-evolutionist group in Turkey is the Istanbul based Bilim Araştırma Vakfı (BAV), or "Science Research Foundation," which was founded by Adnan Oktar in 1990. Its activities include campaigns against the teaching of evolution. It has been described as one of the strongest anti-evolution organizations outside of North America.[57] US based creationist organizations such as the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) have worked alongside them. Some scientists have protested that anti-evolution books published by this group (such as The Evolution Deceit (1999) by Harun Yahya) have become more influential than real biology textbooks. The teaching of evolution in high schools has been fought by Ali Gören, a member of parliament and professor of medicine, who believes such education has negative effects.

The situation is very fragile, and the status of evolution in education varies from one government to the next. For example, in 1985 the Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports Vehbi Dinçerler had scientific creationism added to high school texts, and also had the discredited Lamarckism presented alongside Darwinism. Only in 1998 was this changed somewhat, with texts presenting a more balanced view, though still mentioning creationism and Lamarckism.[57] At present the moderate Islamist Justice and Development Party, which is sympathetic to creationist views,[55] holds power. It was elected in 2002 and again with a greater majority in 2007.

In general, material that conflicts with religious beliefs is highly controversial in Turkey. For example, in November 2007 a prosecutor launched a probe into whether Richard Dawkins' book The God Delusion (2006) is "an attack on religious values." If convicted, the Turkish publisher and translator, Erol Karaaslan, would have faced a prison sentence of inciting religious hatred and insulting religious values.[58] In April 2008, the defendant was acquitted by a court and a judge ruled against banning the book due to the fact that it limited freedom of thought.[59]

Turkish academics who have defended evolutionary theory have received death threats, for instance Turkish biologist Aykut Kence received an email telling him to enjoy his "final days."[57] Kence helped establish the Evolution Group, whose aim is to improve public understanding of evolution. However, opposition to creationism is not very powerful; Umit Sayin, a neurologist, describes academics and universities as "slow and sluggish" in their response. Kence maintains that "if knowledgeable people keep quiet, it only helps those who spread nonsense."[57]

In June 2017, the education ministry announced the removal of evolution from the secondary school curriculum, scheduled to take effect in 2019; as of the date of the announcement the only other Muslim majority country where evolution is challenged in the education system was Saudi Arabia, where the concept is briefly named and heavily criticized in the curricula.[60][61][citation needed]

United Kingdom

edit

In each of the countries of the United Kingdom, there is an agreed syllabus for religious education with the right of parents to withdraw their children from these lessons. The religious education syllabus does not involve teaching creationism, but rather teaching the central tenets of major world faiths.[62] At the same time, the teaching of evolution is compulsory in publicly funded schools. For instance, the National Curriculum for England requires that students at Key Stage 4 (14–16) be taught:[63]

  1. that the fossil record is evidence for evolution
  2. how variation and selection may lead to evolution or extinction

Similar requirements exist in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In 2003, the Emmanuel Schools Foundation (previously the Vardy Foundation after its founder, Sir Peter Vardy) sponsored a number of "faith-based" academies where evolution and creationist ideas would be taught side-by-side in science classes. This caused a considerable amount of controversy.[64]

The former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, has expressed his view that creationism should not be taught in schools.[65][66]

An organisation called Truth in Science has distributed teaching packs of creationist information to schools, and claims that fifty-nine schools are using the packs as "a useful classroom resource."[67] The government has stated that "Neither intelligent design nor creationism are recognised scientific theories and they are not included in the science curriculum. The Truth in Science information pack is therefore not an appropriate resource to support the science curriculum." It is arranging to communicate this message directly to schools.[68]

The teaching of creationism and intelligent design in schools in the UK is being opposed by the British Centre for Science Education (BCSE).[69][70]

Some Democratic Unionist Party DUP politicians have called for creationism to be taught in schools.[71][72]

United States

edit

In the United States, creationists and proponents of evolution are engaged in a long-standing battle over the legal status of creation and evolution in the public school science classroom.[73] The Edwards v. Aguillard ruling of the Supreme Court set a Lemon test that limits teaching of creationism in government run schools. However, as of 2014 at least 13 US states allow pro-creationist content to be taught either in charter schools or private schools that are at least partially supported by government funding.[74] The 2022 Supreme Court ruling of Carson v. Makin necessitating that a school voucher program must not exclude religious private schools may prevent any state with a voucher program from preventing voucher money being provided to schools that teach creationism.

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c d e Edis, Taner (August 2020). "Is There A Political Argument For Teaching Evolution?". Marburg Journal of Religion. 22 (2). University of Marburg: 1–26. doi:10.17192/mjr.2020.22.8304. ISSN 1612-2941. Retrieved 20 July 2022.
  2. ^ Harmon, Katherine (3 March 2011). "Evolution Abroad: Creationism Evolves in Science Classrooms around the Globe". Scientific American. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  3. ^ Robinson, Bruce A. (November 1995). "Beliefs of the U.S. public about evolution and creation". ReligiousTolerance.org. Kingston, Ontario: Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance. Retrieved 2010-05-05.
  4. ^ Saletan, William (December 21, 2005). "Is Creationism Destructible?". Slate. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  5. ^ Witt, Jonathan (September 29, 2006). "Science magazine reviews The Language of God by Francis Collins, Ignores the Book's Intelligent Design". Evolution News & Views. Seattle, WA: Discovery Institute. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  6. ^ Lundin, Leigh (May 4, 2008). "Evilution". Criminal Brief. Los Angeles, CA: CriminalBrief.com. Retrieved 2010-03-05.
  7. ^ Annas, George J. (May 25, 2006). "Intelligent Judging – Evolution in the Classroom and the Courtroom". The New England Journal of Medicine. 354 (21): 2277–2281. doi:10.1056/NEJMlim055660. PMID 16723620.
  8. ^ Minus, Jodie (June 25, 2010). "Creationism creeps into NSW schools". The Australian. Sydney: News Corp Australia. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  9. ^ "Intelligent Design Policy: Science Education and Creationism" (PDF). Geological Society of Australia. Sydney: Geological Society of Australia Incorporated. December 17, 2008. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  10. ^ Takahashi, Fábio; Bedinelli, Talita (December 13, 2008). "MEC diz que criacionismo não é tema para aula de ciências" [MEC says that creationism is not subject for science class]. Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). São Paulo: Grupo Folha. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  11. ^ Constitution of the Federative Republic of Brazil. Textos básicos. Translated by Istvan Vajda; Patricia de Queiroz Carvalho Zimbres; Vanira Tavares de Souza (3rd ed.). Brasília: Documentation and Information Center; Publishing Coordination; Chamber of Deputies. 2010. p. 29. ISBN 978-85-736-5736-4. OCLC 705932082. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-07-15. Retrieved 2014-06-24. See Title III, Chapter 1, Article 19.
  12. ^ Gazir, Augusto (May 13, 2004). "Escolas do Rio vão ensinar criacionismo" [Schools of Rio will teach creationism]. Folha de S.Paulo (in Portuguese). São Paulo: Grupo Folha. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  13. ^ a b c MacKenzie, Debora (July 9, 2005). "Creationism special: A battle for science's soul". New Scientist. 187 (2507): 8–9. Retrieved 2014-06-15. Eighty years after the Scopes trial drew the battle lines over evolution and creationism, Darwin's theory is under renewed attack, this time from 'intelligent design'. It's an idea that is spreading into US culture and beyond.
  14. ^ Severo, Felipe (December 12, 2011). "Um estado laico com bancada evangélica" [A secular state with evangelical bench]. revista o Viés (Blog) (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  15. ^ "Senado Federal: Secretaria-Geral da Mesa: Secretaria de Taquigrafia e Redação de Debates Legislativos". Senado Federal (in Portuguese). Brasília: Federal Senate. February 10, 2009. Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  16. ^ Coutinho, Simone Andréa Barcelos (August 23, 2011). "Escolha eleitoral deve considerar secularismo do Estado" [Electoral choice should consider secularism of the State]. Consultor Jurídico (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2014-06-15.
  17. ^ Liang, Ye; Cobern, William W. (2013). "Analysis of a Typical Chinese High School Biology Textbook Using the AAAS Textbook Standards". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education. 9 (4). doi:10.12973/EURASIA.2013.942A. S2CID 45242583.
  18. ^ Swarts, Frederick A.; Roger Anderson, O.; Swetz, Frank J. (2007). "Evolution in secondary school biology textbooks of the PRC, the USA, and the latter stages of the USSR". Journal of Research in Science Teaching. 31 (5): 475–505. Bibcode:2007JRScT..31..475S. doi:10.1002/tea.3660310505.
  19. ^ "The dangers of creationism in education". Committee on Culture, Science and Education (Resolution). Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. October 4, 2007. Resolution 1580. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  20. ^ Henriksen, Martin [in Danish] (April 25, 2007). "§ 20-spørgsmål S 4310 Om bogen "Atlas of Creation"" [§ 20-question S 4310 About the book 'Atlas of Creation']. Folketinget (in Danish). Copenhagen, Kingdom of Denmark: The Danish Parliament. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
  21. ^ Haarders, Bertel (May 9, 2007). "Undervisningsminister Bertel Haarders skriftlige svar til medlem af Folketinget Martin Henriksen (DF) på spørgsmål af 25. april 2007 nr. S 4310" [Education Minister Bertel Haarder written reply to a Member of Parliament Martin Henriksen (DF) questions of 25 April 2007 No. S 4310] (PDF). Folketinget (in Danish). Copenhagen, Kingdom of Denmark: The Danish Parliament. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
  22. ^ Miller, Jon D.; Scott, Eugenie C.; Okamoto, Shinji (August 11, 2006). "Public Acceptance of Evolution". Science. 313 (5788): 765–766. doi:10.1126/science.1126746. PMID 16902112. S2CID 152990938. "Supporting Online Material for Public Acceptance of Evolution" (PDF).
  23. ^ The Reception of Charles Darwin in Nineteenth-Century Hungarian Society
  24. ^ "Darwinism expunged from India's school textbooks". SciDev.Net. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
  25. ^ a b c d e Burton, Elise K. (May–June 2010). "Teaching Evolution in Muslim States:Iran and Saudi Arabia Compared" (PDF). Reports of the National Center for Science Education. 30 (3): 25–29. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-02-19. Retrieved 2014-01-13.
  26. ^ The removal of Darwin and evolution from schools is a backwards step
  27. ^ Edward Morse, Japan Day by Day (New York, 1917), vol. 1, p. 284
  28. ^ Stefaan Blancke en Abraham C. Flipse, The Low Countries, in: 'Creationism in Europe, red. Stefaan Blancke, Hans Henrik Hjermitslev and Peter C Kjærgaard (Medicin, science, and religion in historical context, Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2014), 65-84.'
  29. ^ Enserink, Martin (June 3, 2005). "Is Holland Becoming the Kansas of Europe?". Science. 308 (5727): 1394. doi:10.1126/science.308.5727.1394b. PMID 15933170. S2CID 153515231.
  30. ^ "Cabinet ministers announced (update 2)". DutchNews.nl. Amsterdam: Dutch News BV. February 13, 2007. Retrieved 2008-05-31.
  31. ^ Meldalen, Sindre Granly (February 1, 2009). "Halvparten av britene tror ikke på dette". Dagbladet (in Norwegian). Copenhagen, Kingdom of Denmark: Aller Media. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
  32. ^ Ali, Zulfiqar (2008). "Curriculum of Microbiology BS (4-Year)" (PDF). Higher Education Commission, Pakistan. Preface by Riaz-ul-Haq Tariq. Islamabad: Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2019-12-07. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  33. ^ Ali, Zulfiqar (2011). "Curriculum of Bioinformatics BS MS" (PDF). Higher Education Commission, Pakistan. Preface by Muhammad Javed Khan. Islamabad: Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  34. ^ "Curriculum of Zoology BS (4-Year)" (PDF). Higher Education Commission, Islamabad. 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2014-08-21. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  35. ^ Ali, Zulfiqar (2013). "Curriculum of Botany BS (4-Year) & MS/MPhil" (PDF). Higher Education Commission, Pakistan (Draft). Preface by Fida Hussain. Islamabad: Higher Education Commission of Pakistan. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  36. ^ IAP Member Academies (June 21, 2006). "IAP Statement on the Teaching of Evolution". IAP. Trieste, Italy: The World Academy of Sciences. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  37. ^ Titles such as The Blind Watchmaker (1986) by Richard Dawkins are also available for general readership Archived 2018-01-06 at the Wayback Machine.
  38. ^ "And finally..." Warsaw Business Journal. Warsaw, Poland: Valkea Media. December 18, 2006. Retrieved 2014-06-19.
  39. ^ Stan, Lavinia; Turcescu, Lucian (September 2005). "Religious education in Romania". Communist and Post-Communist Studies. 38 (6): 381–401. doi:10.1016/j.postcomstud.2005.06.007.
  40. ^ "Cum s-au batut europenii si americanii pentru Darwin si Dumnezeu [How Europeans and the US fought for Darwin and god]". February 27, 2008. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
  41. ^ "Teoria evoluţiei trebuie să se predea din nou în şcolile din România [Evolution must be taught again in Romanian schools]". January 23, 2015. Retrieved 2017-12-23.>
  42. ^ Niedowski, Erika (January 3, 2007). "In Russia, a test of God vs. Darwin". The Baltimore Sun. Chicago, IL: Tribune Company. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  43. ^ Leonov, Maksim (March 1, 2006). "St. Petersburg schoolgirl sues authorities over Darwinism". Moscow. RIA Novosti. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  44. ^ Суд Санкт-Петербурга отклонил иск о преподавании теории Дарвина (in Russian). Moscow. RIA Novosti. July 4, 2007. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  45. ^ Мэр Казани отвергает теорию Дарвина. Вечерняя Казань (in Russian). 2014-08-21. Retrieved 2014-08-25. Выступая сегодня на городской конференции педагогов, казанский градоначальник Ильсур Метшин высказал удивление по поводу того, что в школах до сих пор преподают теорию Дарвина о происхождении человека
  46. ^ Мэр Казани предлагает запретить теорию Дарвина [The Mayor of Kazan' plans to forbid Darwin's theory]. Общественное телевидение России (in Russian). Moscow. 2014-08-23. Retrieved 2014-08-25. Он добавил, что планирует поднять вопрос о необходимости преподавания в школах теории Дарвина на федеральном уровне
  47. ^ a b Burton, Elise K. (2011). "Evolution and Creationism in Middle Eastern Education: A New Perspective". Evolution. 65 (1): 301–304. doi:10.1111/j.1558-5646.2010.01113.x. ISSN 1558-5646. PMID 20812978. S2CID 24706684.
  48. ^ a b c Alsharif, Asma (2009-10-01). "Saudi cleric to king's university: don't teach evolution, mix sexes". Reuters Blogs. Archived from the original on 2009-10-04. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  49. ^ "Polling creationism and evolution around the world | National Center for Science Education". ncse.ngo. Retrieved 2020-08-25.
  50. ^ a b c Burton, Elise K. "Teaching Evolution in Muslim States: Iran and Saudi Arabia Compared" (PDF). NCSE Reports. 30: 25–29. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-02-19.
  51. ^ de Quetteville, Harry (September 9, 2004). "Darwin is off the curriculum for Serbian schools". The Daily Telegraph. London. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  52. ^ "Serbia reverses Darwin suspension". BBC News. London: BBC. September 9, 2004. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  53. ^ "'Anti-Darwin' Serb minister quits". BBC News. London: BBC. September 16, 2004. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  54. ^ South Korea will remove evolution from its high school textbooks
  55. ^ a b c Edis, Taner (January 2008). "Islamic Creationism: A Short History". Newsletter. 37 (1). ISSN 0739-4934. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved 2008-02-24. ...Islam has been the world religion that has proved most resistant to Darwinian evolution.
  56. ^ Kaya, Veysel (April 2012). "Can the Quran Support Darwin? An Evolutionist Approach by Two Turkish Scholars after the Foundation of the Turkish Republic". The Muslim World. 102 (2): 357–370. doi:10.1111/j.1478-1913.2011.01362.x. ISSN 1478-1913.
  57. ^ a b c d Koenig, Robert (May 18, 2001). "Creationism Takes Root Where Europe, Asia Meet". Science. 292 (5520): 1286–1287. doi:10.1126/science.292.5520.1286. ISSN 0036-8075. PMID 11360976. S2CID 5404903. Harassed but hard-headed, some gutsy Turkish scientists are stepping up their efforts to promote the teaching of the theory of evolution...
  58. ^ "Turkey probes atheist's 'God' book". New York. Associated Press. November 28, 2007. Archived from the original on 2007-08-13. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  59. ^ "'Tanrı Yanılgısı' kitabı beraat etti" (in Turkish). AA. 2 April 2008. Archived from the original on 5 April 2008. Retrieved 2 April 2008.
  60. ^ Kingsley, Patrick (23 June 2017). "Turkey Drops Evolution From Curriculum, Angering Secularists". The New York Times.
  61. ^ Frazier, Kendrick (2017). "CFI, Richard Dawkins, Teachers Slam as 'Unconscionable' Turkey's Decision to Ban Teaching Evolution". Skeptical Inquirer. 41 (5): 7.
  62. ^ "International Religious Freedom Report 2002: United Kingdom". Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor. Washington, D.C.: United States Department of State. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  63. ^ "Creationism". Parliamentary Debates (Hansard). House of Commons. February 27, 2006. col. 518W–519W.
  64. ^ Taylor, Matthew (May 30, 2006). "Parents rebel at 'Dickensian' school run by millionaire evangelist friend of Blair". The Guardian. Retrieved 2016-07-18.
  65. ^ William, Rowan (March 21, 2006). "Interview: Rowan Williams". The Guardian (Interview). Interviewed by Alan Rusbridger. London: Guardian Media Group. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  66. ^ "Fears over teaching creationism". BBC News. London: BBC. March 21, 2006. Retrieved 2010-04-30.
  67. ^ Randerson, James (November 26, 2006). "Revealed: rise of creationism in UK schools". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  68. ^ Randerson, James (December 6, 2006). "Ministers to ban creationist teaching aids in science lessons". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  69. ^ "The dangers of creationism in education". Committee on Culture, Science and Education (Report). Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. June 8, 2007. Doc. 11297. Archived from the original on March 9, 2013. Retrieved 2014-06-16.
  70. ^ Graebsch, Almut; Schiermeier, Quirin (November 23, 2006). "Anti-evolutionists raise their profile in Europe". Nature. 444 (7118): 406–407. Bibcode:2006Natur.444..406.. doi:10.1038/444406a. PMID 17122815. S2CID 4411996.
  71. ^ Lesley-Anne Henry (26 September 2007). "Tussle of Biblical proportions over creationism in Ulster classrooms". Belfast Telegraph. Archived from the original on 15 October 2012. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  72. ^ "MLA backs event promoting teaching children creationism". The Irish News. 21 September 2016. Archived from the original on 13 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  73. ^ Slevin, Peter (March 14, 2005). "Battle on Teaching Evolution Sharpens". The Washington Post. Washington, D.C. p. A01. Retrieved 2014-06-20.
  74. ^ Kirk, Chris (2014-01-26). "Map: Publicly Funded Schools That Are Allowed to Teach Creationism". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
edit