IN THE beginning there was the Discovery Institute in Seattle, Washington, the religious think tank that has backed the US 鈥渋ntelligent design鈥� movement. And lo it came to pass that a group called Truth in Science appeared in the land of the Brit-ites.
Now, making what most see as a mockery of its name, Truth in Science has circulated material to UK schools aiming to counter the teaching of evolution in science classes. Some 59 schools in the UK are now using the information packs, which promote the notion that life on Earth was created through intelligent design, a euphemism for the biblical story of creation.
According to The Guardian newspaper in London, the packs include a manual and two DVDs and were sent on 18 September to all the country鈥檚 secondary schools. 鈥淭he fact is that creationism, in all its guises, is no longer a quintessentially American problem,鈥� says Michael Zimmerman, professor of liberal arts and sciences at Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana, and the architect of The Clergy Letter Project, an alliance of Christians who back evolution.
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鈥淐reationism in all its guises is no longer a quintessentially American problem鈥�
鈥淚t is spreading worldwide and has made significant inroads in the UK,鈥� says Zimmerman. 鈥淭he best way to overcome this pernicious situation is for religious leaders and scientists to come together to discuss how religion and science can be compatible 鈥� how they use different methodologies to help people understand the world and the human condition,鈥� he says.
