| Creationism is a dangerous word - at least if you say | | | | obvious in Europe. Critics of Darwinian evolution are |
| it aloud. Professor Michael Reiss, Director of Education | | | | discriminated against. Scientists do not even have to |
| at the Royal Society, the leading science organisation | | | | criticise evolution. Just a mention of the word |
| in Great Britain, was forced to step down after he | | | | creationism is enough to bring them into trouble. The |
| was accused of instructing teachers to discuss | | | | same is true of another forbidden word, design, |
| creation in science classes. | | | | especially if it is preceded by the term intelligent. |
| Although the British press invented colorful headings | | | | In October 2007 the Council of Europe claimed that |
| of the dispute, professor Reiss, who has a PhD in | | | | creationism was a potential threat to human rights. |
| biology and is also an ordained priest of the Church | | | | Now it seems that panic has also spread to the |
| of England, did not encourage teachers to treat | | | | British isles. At least the leading science publications |
| creationism as a valid alternative to Darwinian | | | | Nature and New Scientist have sternly warned their |
| evolution. He merely said that creationism is a | | | | readers about the dangers of dissenting from |
| worldview that should not be disparaged. | | | | orthodox Darwinism. |
| However, professor Reis did not say that creationism | | | | Steve Fuller, a professor of sociology at the |
| was wrong, and this caused Darwinists to call for his | | | | University of Warwick in the U.K. thinks that the fear |
| resignation. | | | | of creationism is at least partly due to the popularity |
| For instance, Richard Dawkins, who makes no bones | | | | of intelligent design in Britain. |
| about being an atheist, questioned the right of a | | | | For instance, Truth in Science, an organisation run by |
| Christian to be the director of education of a leading | | | | highly placed scientists, has campaigned for a more |
| science organisation. But Index on Censorship, an | | | | honest approach to the teaching of evolution in |
| organisation committed to freedom of speech, | | | | schools. |
| lamented the lack of academic freedom in Great | | | | But with the 150th anniversary of Charles Darwin's |
| Britain. | | | | On the Origin of Species approaching in 2009, his |
| It seems that the basic thesis of Ben Stein's recent | | | | supporters are nervous and this seems to have |
| documentary Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed is very | | | | resulted in panic reactions. |