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Scientist in creationism curriculum call

12/09/2008

A leading scientist has said he believes the theory of creationism should be taught alongside that of evolution in Britain's schools.

The Rev Professor Michael Reiss made the call, which goes against government policy stating there is no place for creationism on the national curriculum, while speaking at the British Association's festival of science at the University of Liverpool.

Many scientists are opposed to creationism, which believes the universe was created by God according to the Bible. The evolutionary theory of natural selection is taught in schools at present.

Prof Reiss said he had been "evangelical" about convincing the ten per cent of schoolchildren who believe in creationism that they were wrong.

"I realised that simply banging on about evolution and natural selection didn't lead some pupils to change their minds at all," he explained.

"Now I would be more content simply for them to understand it as one way of understanding the universe."

A government spokesperson explained to politics.co.uk there are no grounds for creationism to be taught within science lessons because it has no basis in scientific fact.

There is scope for it to be brought up within religious education lessons, she added, within the context of analysis of others' world views and different theological beliefs.