BCSE : Newsletters

Newsletters

This section of our web site shows previous Newletters issued by BCSE. Newletters are sent out by e-mail and to be added to the distribution list please send an email to subscribe at bcseweb dot org dot uk .

The Newsletters are shown with the most recent first.

Eleventh Newsletter sent out 3/1/12

Dear friends of the BCSE,

Another busy few months since our last newsletter.

We will give you a brief taster of events here but please click through the links to read more.

Evolution Not Creationism

We were very pleased to welcome the big hitters to the ring with the launch of this campaign by David Attenborough in September. We would like to encourage everyone to sign their petition.

The CrISIS campaign petition has now hit the target of 5,000 signatures and will be moving on to the next stage soon - we will keep you all posted.

Creationist Free School activity in your area? If so, we need to hear from you.

The Education Secretary told one of our committee that in his view, the public interest required him to refuse a Freedom of Information Act request for information about unsuccessful Free School applications, for fear of discouraging further applicants, and we expect that requests for information about pending applications would also be refused.

We must therefore rely on locally gathered information about Free School applications from creationist organisations. If any such applications come to your attention, please let us know (as well as expressing your opinion locally, and writing to your MP). We know that at least one such application is currently under consideration (see next paragraph).

Christian Schools Trust

These folks are openly biblical creationists and are pushing a Free School application, for the Bethany school group in Sheffield, which seeks Free School status in 2013. If granted, this would mean that the entire cost of running and maintaining the school, which is now private, would have to be met from the existing local authority education budget, although the authority would have no control over its actions.

This from their FAQs:

''"Will the SCFS curriculum include creationism? Yes. Christianity has a clear and distinctive creation story which is relevant to all areas of the curriculum. We know that ’some people think differently‘ so we will be sure to give full weight to other views of the origins and purposes of life. Our science curriculum will be broad and well-balanced, looking at the assumptions, evidence and interpretations behind scientific theories. Michael Gove’s view that ‘teaching creationism is at odds with scientific fact’ will be taken into account."''

In a recent Radio Sheffield call-in programme, they repeatedly proclaimed their own brand of biblical literalism as the only real form of Christianity, thus denigrating the views held by the vast majority of Christian believers in this country now, and indeed for the past two centuries. One of CST’s own leaders, Sylvia Baker, conducted a survey of CST and similar schools, and found that only 7% of their students end up accepting the reality of evolution as a process over many millions of years, a statistic that the Bethany representative presented with some pride on the radio programme. He might also have added that 80% of their students believe not only Noah's worldwide flood, but Adam's chest operation in the Garden of Eden, to be matters of historical fact (details here).

We will shortly be posting a fuller analysis of the Sylvia Baker thesis and survey on our website. In any case, it is important that we hear from you about CST and other creationist activity in your neighbourhood, especially as regards attempts to enter or infiltrate the publicly funded school system. As Dr. Baker's thesis makes clear, the CST position is driven by its own peculiar theology,, which pervades all its educational activities. In the circumstances, quite apart from the insult to science, it is difficult to see how a CST school could fulfil the obligation, incumbent on all faith-related schools within the public system, to show respect and consideration towards pupils who do not share their faith.

In view of the Education Secretary's reticence, it is particularly important for members and supporters to notify us of any such activity that they come across.

We also urge members to let us know about, and attend, public meetings regarding such applications in their area.

Members should challenge the applicants with the statement made by the Department for Education in response to the application for Free School status from Everyday Champions Church:

The Secretary of State carefully considered your application, the views and beliefs of your organisation as set out in your application, your responses at interview and information about your organisation available in the public domain. He was unable to accept that an organisation with creationist beliefs could prevent these views being reflected in the teaching in the school and in its other activities. It is his firm view that the teaching of creationist views as a potentially valid alternative theory is not acceptable in a 21st century state funded school.

This is available on the ECC website here.

There are no grounds for complacency; CST has friends in high places (although not, we think, the very highest) and may know something we don't so please help where you can.

C4ID and friends in High Places

Talking of "friends in high places", the Centre for Intelligent Design, the Glasgow Glove-puppet of the US Creationist organisation the Discovery Institute, recently put on an expensive inaugural dinner and have been bragging about it ever since.

"The audience of some 90 invited guests included leading scientists, philosophers, Parliamentarians, educationalists, theologians, lawyers, and representatives of the media and business sectors. Given the controversial nature of the subject and the desire not to inhibit discussion, C4ID requested that the identity of the participants remain protected. The attendance of so many significant figures signals real interest in the topic, but, as Lord Mackay stressed in his introduction, their presence was not taken as an indication of support for the position of Intelligent Design (ID)."

The "scientific" claims made by Meyer are getting on for two decades old now and have made no impact within scientific circles as they are mostly "not science" sprinkled lightly with error. To an audience not trained in the relevant scientific disciplines the combination of polished rhetoric and science jargon is superficially appealing.

But writing books and holding lectures doesn't make Intelligent Design into science.

If any members or supporters attended or have reports of the event please let us know.

In typical creationist style the Discovery Institute in the form of a Scottish student lashed out at criticisms of the event on the UK based Christians in Science forums. This particular article also displays with great clarity the central fallacies of the Intelligent Design position.

World Around Us - TES and DfE claims

We have previously told you about this creationist website masquerading as a science resource for schools. There is a lot more research on this group to be seen on our wiki here.

First of all the TESS have published a response by one of our committee members and you can see this here.

Secondly the web page now seems to be claiming or strongly implying DfE support for their materials, on the basis of a letter from DfE welcoming the production of all new educational materials, but specifically refusing to comment on the content and quality of such offerings; yet another example of the level of truthfulness and candour that we have learnt to expect from creationist groups. We covered this here; I wrote to the DfE via their web page as detailed in that blog posting and received a response stating the following:

''"The Government’s policy on creationism and intelligent design is clear. The Government is committed to high quality science education reflecting the consensus within the scientific community about the validity of current explanations of the origins of the universe and the diversity of life on Earth.

The Secretary of State of has made it very clear that teaching creationist views as a potentially valid alternative scientific theory should have no place in a 21st-century state-funded school.

The Department receives many requests for endorsements of education materials, as was the case with the World Around Us website. It appears this request received a standard response, which makes it clear that we do not endorse or promote third party resources but did not consider the specific contents of the website in question.

The Department does not approve or endorse this or any other website which suggests that creationism and intelligent design have a valid scientific basis or that these ideas present a valid scientific challenge to mainstream theories.

The Department is now considering what further action to take in the light of the representation of the correspondence which appears on the website in question. Once again, thank you for drawing this to our attention."''

We wait with interest to see what happens.

Everyday Champions Church - A firm "No" from Michael Gove

As mentioned in the CST story above, the ECC Academy application was rejected as Michael Grove was "unable to accept that an organisation with creationist beliefs could prevent these views being reflected in the teaching in the school and in its other activities." Furthermore "It is his firm view that the teaching of creationist views as a potentially valid alternative theory is not acceptable in a 21st century state funded school."

Despite the overwhelming evidence we gathered regarding their creationist beliefs, mainly consisting of their own public statements on the matter, they are now disappointed:

"We feel very sad that the application has seemingly been rejected solely due to the Schools perceived association to creationist beliefs."

They were due to meet with the DfE again a few weeks ago and we await developments with interest.

Here is to a great 2012 for science education.

Mark Edon BCSE Secretary

- - -

BCSE

If you want to know more about the BCSE please check out our wiki, blog and discussion forum.

If you want to join us then please click here.

Talks

We have conducted several talks to various groups including Skeptics in the Pub, Student Societies and Humanist Groups. We are keen to raise awareness of the issues around creationism and the education system. Remember that we are religiously neutral and !!!would particularly value discussions with religious groups!!! concerned with the activities of creationists.

If you want us to talk to your group then please get in touch mark at bcseweb.org.uk

Social Media

BCSE is now on Facebook and Twitter.

Creation Watch

Our "Creation-Watch" campaign continues with many more opportunities in 2012.

- - -

If you have questions or concerns about a situation at your school please contact us in confidence at creationwatch at bcseweb dot org dot uk

- - -

If you know of anyone else who would benefit from these email updates please ask them to email us at subscribe at bcseweb dot org dot uk and we will add them to our distribution list. If you do not wish to receive any further updates from us then please send a blank email to unsubscribe at bcseweb dot org dot uk .

Tenth Newsletter sent out 11/5/11

Dear Friends of the BCSE,

We are very pleased to announce that a letter from CrISIS has today been delivered to Michael Gove at the Department for Education formally asking him to close the loophole that allows creationists into state funded schools to present Creationism to our children as a valid scientific fact.

This is the next part of the CrISIS campaign we told you about here and here - if you haven't done so yet - please sign the petition.

The letter is signed by the following people:

Laura Horner B.Sc., PGCE (CrISIS founder and parent)

Jim Al-Khalili, Professor of Physics, Professor of Public Engagement in Science

Simon Barrow for Ekklesia

Dr Susan Jane Blackmore, BA (Hons), MSc, PhD

Professor Paul S. Braterman M.A. D.Phil , D.Sc (Oxon) for the British Centre for Science Education

Andrew M. Colman, BA (Hons), MA, PhD, Professor of Psychology

D. Colquhoun FRS, Professor of Pharmacology, University College London

Richard Dawkins, DSc, FRS, Emeritus Professor, University of OxfordProf

Christopher C French, Professor of Psychology, BA PhD

Adam Hart -Davis, MA (Oxon), D Phil (York)

Julian Huppert, Member of Parliament for Cambridge

The Rev Canon David Jennings, M.Phil., B.D., A.K.C., Rector of Burbage,Canon Theologian of Leicester Cathedral

Professor J Steve Jones

Dr Stephen Law

Clifford Longley, Consultant Editor to the Tablet, BBC Moral Maze panellist

Terry Sanderson, President of National Secular Society

Rev Michael Roberts, M.A. (Oxon - geology) B.A. (Dunelm- theology) F.R.Hist.S Vicar of Cockerham, Winmarleigh and Glasson, Hon Research Fellow in History, Lancaster Univ.

Simon Singh MBE

Canon Prof J.S. K. Ward D.D (Oxon) D.D. (Cantab) , F.B.A. Emeritus Regius Prof of Theology, Oxford

James D. Williams BSc MEd FSB CSciTeach

This list of signatures, put together in just a few days, and comprising key figures from science, education and religion, demonstrates the following points:

The issue in question is not one of atheists versus the religious.
The issue is one of concern for educational standards.
Creationists are flagrantly abusing a guideline that says Creationism can't be taught in science classes by simply teaching it in other subjects.
This makes a mockery of the current guidelines and some state funded schools are taking advantage of this to advance their own fundamentalist agendas.
This has important implications for the Free Schools policy.

The letter text reads as follows:

Dear Mr Gove,

Creationism In Schools Isn’t Science - CrISIS

Despite existing Department of Education guidance on the teaching of creationism, some recent events at St Peter’s, a state secondary school in Exeter, Devon show additional protection is necessary.

In March, Philip Bell, a full time Evangelical preacher and Chief Executive of Creation Ministries International (who presents creationist views that the world is about 6000 years old as scientific fact and denies the validity of the theory of evolution) was invited by the school to lecture to Year 11 students as part of an RE revision day.

It should be noted that his organization states on its website that their preferred method of evangelizing is infiltrating at a grassroots level via a sympathetic teacher, introductions and magazines as they feel this is a more successful method of achieving conversions. His website showed that he considered the event “Ministry to school students”. Mr Bell and his colleagues have already made appearances at other schools and according to his website more are planned.

The school is adamant it has done nothing wrong within the current guidelines despite presenting creationism on equal terms with modern science to sixteen year olds and in a letter to a parent describing Mr Bell as a “scientist” who “presented arguments based on scientific theory for his case” and describing modern biology as “evolutionism ".[1] This echoes Christian Schools Trust policy on evolution[2] which is to teach biblical creationism as historical and scientific fact, present evolution and creationism as competing scientific standpoints, and present evolution in such a way that it will not be believed.

Recently, the Department of Education has stated that you are ‘crystal clear’ that creationism has no scientific validity and should not be taught as science. Yet here we have a school presenting Creationism as a valid scientific position, and justifying this by reference to Religious Education. These events show that creationists are now openly using the RE syllabus to advance their claim to be offering a valid scientific alternative to established knowledge, from within the State funded school system.Therefore, we believe that the guidelines need clarifying to prevent Creationism being presented as a valid scientific theory both in lesson time and outside of it in state funded schools, as we are aware that this is also happening in clubs in and out of school time. Given the nature of the internet, we also believe that the Guidance should state that websites which promote creationism as a valid scientific theory, like other unsuitable resources, should not be used. We believe this is necessary to protect the plain intent of the current Guidelines.

In addition, you will shortly have to deal with applications for Free School status from Everyday Champions Church (ECC), the Christian Schools Trust and for Academy status for St Peter’s among many others. Recent public statements from ECC and its associates suggest, if anything, an even more anti-scientific approach in its preferred teaching.[3] This would suggest that the current Guidelines will need modification to reflect emerging practice.

The parent involved in the Exeter school incident (Laura Horner) and the British Centre for Science Education together with the groups and individuals listed at the end of this letter have therefore come together to launch CrISIS (Creationism In Schools Isn't Science), whose views are summarised in our petition:

Creationism is known, and officially acknowledged, to be contrary to scientific fact. We therefore demand that creationism should not be presented as a valid scientific position, nor creationist websites and resources be promoted, in publicly funded schools or in any youth activities run on publicly funded school premises.

Since this is in accord with Government policy as we understand it, we look forward to your support in this matter and a clarification of the Guidelines to reflect these demands.

Respectfully,

[1] http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/crisis-creationism-in-schools-isn-t-science.html [2] Christian Schools Trust 2009 Policy on the Teaching of Evolution, quoted in full by Sylvia Baker, Ph.D. Thesis in Education, 2009, available at http://go.warwick.ac.uk/wrap/3115, pp 354 on 11/5/2011 [3] http://www.creationscience.co.uk/hello-world-2-2/

The BCSE calls on Mr Gove to issue an unambiguous statement confirming that state funded schools should promote creationism as a valid scientific position in any class or activity at all.

This solution is quick, simple and free. The BCSE and other groups will then have an effective tool to use when we receive reports of creationists active in state funded schools.

Close the loophole now Mr Gove.

Mark Edon BCSE Secretary

- - -

BCSE

If you want to know more about the BCSE please check out our wiki, blog and discussion forum.

If you want to join us then please click here.

- - -

The BCSE is able to give talks on creationism - get in touch - committee at bcseweb dot org dot uk

- - -

If you have questions or concerns about a situation at your school please contact us in confidence at creationwatch at bcseweb dot org dot uk

- - -

Ninth Newsletter sent out 20/3/11

Dear BCSE members,

Another busy few months since our last newsletter.

We will give you a brief taster of events here but please click through the links to read more.

Free Schools, Michael Gove and the Everyday Champions Academy

We have written to Rt Hon Michael Gove MP to layout out our concerns regarding creationists taking advantage of the Free Schools system. The full text of our letter and accompanying memorandum can be viewed here. As well as laying out our objections in the letter, we back them up with evidence gathered over the past few years, and the memorandum serves as a useful summary of recent creationist activity in the UK.

As a member of the BCSE please write or email Mr Gove or your own MP or preferably both. Feel free to refer to our own letter if you wish.

Here you can easily find the address of your own MP.

Here is a suggested brief email for you to, copy paste and edit to taste.

Dear ,

I write as a constituent to express my concern that the Free Schools initiative will enable biblical literalists to promote creationism within the state education sector. I support the efforts of the British Centre for Science Education who have written to Michael Gove regarding this matter here (http://bcseweb.blogspot.com/p/free-schools-and-creationism.html).

I hope you will agree that this is an important issue and will work to ensure that the education of children is protected.

Yours sincerely,

If you are writing to your own MP please give them your full name and address - they are much more likely to take notice of comments from one of their constituents.

GCSE text books and Collins Education

An old story regarding creationism in GCSE text books surfaced again with Jerry Coyne covering some now out of print books on his popular blog Why Evolution is True. These kinds of issues seem to have stemmed from older guidelines from the National Curriculum, widely regarded as confusing, that spoke about "controversies in science". We recently corresponded with Collins Education regarding the current editions which, whilst improved on since the versions Gerry highlights, are still not ideal. We are pleased to report that Collins Education have responded very positively to the issue and their reply included the following comment;

"We take the errors that you rightly raise very seriously and want to assure you that Collins does not deliberately intend to violate the OCR guidelines, or promote theories that are not regarded as scientific in its textbooks. They will be corrected at the earliest opportunity when the title reprints."

Most of these kinds of confusions seem to have died away now but if you see anything that looks odd please get in touch with us committee at bcseweb.og.uk

New artwork and cafe press shop

We recently unveiled new artwork kindly provided to us by the truly talented Neil Davies.

This artwork will gradually appear in more places on our web sites and Charlie will be holding signs with various slogans as appropriate.

We have opened an online shop selling tee shirts and mugs proudly displaying Charlie and/or our logo. So why not get yourself or someone you know a gorgeous piece of art that also carries an important message and helps to support us.

We are happy to take suggestions for additional products to make available in the shop.

If you can think of a good slogan for Charlie's sign then please let us know.

World Around Us

The latest attempts to get creationism and intelligent design into UK science classes surfaced during Michael Behe's recent UK tour. A group well known to us (Genesis Agendum) managed to convince the Times Education Supplement that denying the unifying principle of modern biology was a respectable scientific position and one that teachers and students would benefit from a web resource covering it.

We cover the gory details here. We still haven't had a response from the TES. Why don't you send them an email asking what they are playing at? You can write to them here scoted at tes.co.uk

Islamic Creationism

We covered the recent case of threats of violence against a Muslim who spoke out against creationism. We also posted reports on talks delivered by the Turkish Creationist Harun Yahya in the UK.

Richard Dawkins versus a Young Earth Creationist

For a bit of light relief see how you might have answered this recent challenge to Richard Dawkins.

Talks

We have now conducted half a dozen or more talks to various groups including Skeptics in the Pub, Student Societies and Humanist Groups. We are keen to raise awareness of the issues around creationism and the education system. Remember that we are religiously neutral and would particularly value discussions with religious groups concerned with the activities of creationists.If you want us to talk to your group then please get in touch mark at bcseweb.org.uk

Social Media

BCSE is now on Facebook and Twitter.

Creation Watch

Our "Creation-Watch" campaign continues with many more opportunities in 2011.

Mark Edon on behalf of BCSE committee

- - -

BCSE

If you want to know more about the BCSE please check out our wiki, blog and discussion forum.

If you want to join us then please click here.

- - -

The BCSE is able to give talks on creationism - get in touch - committee at bcseweb dot org dot uk

- - -

If you have questions or concerns about a situation at your school please contact us in confidence at creationwatch at bcseweb dot org dot uk

- - -

Eighth Newsletter sent 19/12/2010;

Dear BCSE members,

The last few months have been a very busy period for creationists in the UK. Visiting guest "celebrity" creationists, a new creationist organisation (vehemently denying their roots and the nature of their own arguments) and more attempts to get creationism into UK schools.

Of course all this means that we have also been exceptionally busy digging into the new "we aren't creationists this is just science" creationist organisation and monitoring and analysing what has been going on.

Here are links to some of the main events and publications since the last newsletter;

First of all a warm welcome to a new committee member, Robert Saunders, BSc (Hons), PhD;

I blog at and maintain several websites, including Wonderful Life, where I blog about “biology and atheism in an overly religious world”, with a strong focus on creationism. It’s this blogging activity that led me to the BCSE, and subsequently to joining its committee. I hope to offer an additional genetics-based perspective of the claims of creationists, whether they be from the young earth, biblical literalist or intelligent design camp.

BCSE is now on Facebook and Twitter.

A new creationist front organisation "The Centre for Intelligent Design" (C4ID) opened it's doors in Glasgow. We have extensive coverage of the group of literal biblicists behind it and their claims;

A Podcast of a discussion between our own Paul Braterman, the 21st Floor and Skeptics in the Pub about C4ID, their claims and tactics.

How not to attack Intelligent Design - make sure that you are clear in your own thinking when challenging those who chose to deny reality in theirs.

A series of posts analysing the claims made by the C4ID.

C4ID versus a modern university biology course. We compare the claims of ID to actual science textbooks - guess who comes out looking silly?

Paul Braterman sums it all up in this article; Behe in Britain, Miller's mousetrap, and the origins of malaria

We have developed more freely available downloadable resources specifically addressing the claims made by ID.

Look here for a detailed analysis of C4ID and the people behind it.

Look here for an up to date analysis of some creationist funding in the UK and here for an update on the situation in Northern Ireland.

In the past few months BCSE has delivered talks to several groups around the UK. Please contact us if you want the BCSE to talk to your group. Remember that we are religiously neutral and would particularly value dialog with religious groups concerned with the activities of creationists.

Our "Creation-Watch" campaign continues with many more opportunities in 2011.

With best wishes for Xmas and a happy new year,

Mark Edon on behalf of BCSE committee

- - -

BCSE

If you want to know more about the BCSE please check out our wiki, blog and discussion forum.

If you want to join us then please click here.

- - -

The BCSE is able to give talks on creationism - get in touch - committee at bcseweb dot org dot uk

- - -

If you have questions or concerns about a situation at your school please contact us in confidence at creationwatch at bcseweb dot org dot uk

- - -

Seventh newsletter issued 24/10/10

Dear Friends of the BCSE,

One again we find that creationists are active in the UK.

C4ID

This time we have seen the arrival of the Centre for Intelligent Design (C4ID) in Glasgow.

To kick off our analysis we have posted a Creation Watch Special. This gives you some background on the US based creationist Michael Behe and his favourite creationist arguments. Behe is touring the UK in November for the C4ID.

We suggest some good questions to ask him and introduce a new game for Creation Watchers ; "Personal Incredulity Bingo".

Michael Behe waving his arms around

Further material will be available from BCSE soon including a debunking reference for the "information argument". This is the new phraseology that the C4ID uses to make creationist claims sound new and cutting edge, even though they actually date back centuries. We will also be publishing an analysis of the C4ID and its leaders in the near future.

The C4ID is already involved in Scottish schools. Look here for what you can do to help protect science classes north of the border.

Gove confirmation

South of the border a letter from the Secretary of State for Education Michael Gove has reinforced the previous teachers guidelines a


	Main / Newsletters	Edit Page \| Page History \| Wiki Help Print \| Search: