The Everyday Champions Church has recently submitted an application for a 652-place school in Nottingham. In a subtly worded statement its leader Gareth Morgan said;

“Creationism will be embodied as a belief at Everyday Champions Academy, but will not be taught in the sciences. Similarly, evolution will be taught as a theory. We believe children should have a broad knowledge of all theories in order that they can make informed choice.”

This is a classic tactic employed by creationists; Firstly deliberately use the scientifically illiterate meaning of the word ‘theory’ and then put creationism on a par with evolution as just another theory. It’s not a stone’s throw away from the ‘teach the controversy’ rhetoric you hear from creationists the other side of the Atlantic. What’s worrying is that these manipulative and disingenuous tactics work in the US and I have a very bad feeling they are going to work here.

Is this going to be the legacy of this government? Are our children about to be Con-Demed to being taught that the earth is only 6000 years old and we were all created by a mythical overlord? Are we really having this discussion in 2011? Despite all the cuts to public services, science funding and rising unemployment this free schools system maybe the death of an enlightened secular education system and by far the biggest crime our so-called representatives have committed. The Department of Education has said that they will judge each application on its individual merits. I hope that they look carefully at the groups and individuals hoping to teach our children and have strict measures in place to ensure that creationism is not taught by stealth and evolution is given its proper status as an established scientific fact. I suggest we all watch this space very carefully indeed.

For more information I suggest checking out the British Centre for Science Education website. They have written to Michael Gove expressing their concern regarding Free Schools and Creationism.

The second half of the evening consisted of questions from the audience which is where I became slightly annoyed. The majority of the questions focused on issues from his previous book The God Delusion when this talk was supposed to focus on his new book. I only have admiration for Richard’s patience at answering questions like “If there is no god then where do we get our morality from?” and “I accept evolution but why should that mean there is no god?” calmly while gently reminding people that he was here to talk about his new book and that these were questions for another time. I don’t understand the mentality of these questions, each said as if they think they are about to make a point that Dawkins has never considered before and then each promptly dismissed time and time again. I suggest to anyone attending a future Dawkins question session to READ HIS BOOKS first and not to repeat ancient arguments as if they are revelations.

Susie, my girlfriend did point out that it was great to see him take these questions on in person and I have to admit while some of the questions did annoy me I took some pleasure in his rebuttals. Also there were some fantastic comments, namely from a young boy who said a faith school had turned him atheist and a women who suggested the book could have been called The Greatest Show in the Universe. Dawkins also made an interesting point that it did not annoy him if someone remained ignorant of evolution since ignorance can be easily overcome with education; I think perhaps I should remember that when I get in debates sometimes with people that remain ignorant of the evidence on a particular subject and try not to get so annoyed!

It was fantastic to finally see Dawkins live and get our book signed so thanks for getting the tickets Susie!

Got to love the evidence; although the artists reconstruction does look a little like it is a two headed monster. There is two of them there right?

Thanks to @Richard_Dawkins on Twitter for the link.