The fact of evolution

[claymore]

Can you believe that nearly half the population of the United States still believes in creationism ,or intelligent design as the creationists now prefer to call it? I guess the name change was to make their case a bit more plausible than the idea of something being made out of nothing. The case for evolution is overwhelming despite their arguments that Darwin s theory of evolution is just that ....a theory.

[jake-the-peg]

You have to remember the psychology involved here.

If you are part of a group with certain beliefs be creationism or the imminant end of the world, having people attack those beliefs makes you stronger as a group. It gives you a common enemy and bind you together.

Having people like Dawkins pop up as a pantomime villian only serves to strengthen the beliefs of such people.

Thats not to say that these beliefs shouldn't be challenged but it's more important to sideline them. To show them as anachronistic and unimportant and to go on as if they weren't there then people will slowly drop off.

This is why it's so importnat that creationism isn't allowed into Science lessons - it gives it the status and respectibility it craves.

It's also why the US court case outlawing the teacing of intelligent design in American schools was so important

[Octavius]

Jake as per our previous discussion, I am still bemused that your example of one school in Newcastle � or wherever � is indicative of an endemic pattern. Is that also some paranoid psychology on your part, or have you been reading the Daily Atheist Mail again? I wouldn�t have associated you with sensationalism.