"Evolution In Schools" Debate Hits Britain
Britain’s Christian fundamentalists are donning all the armour of God.
The age old enemy, like the Philistines were to the people of Israel, evolution, is about to launch its dark onslaught on all the innocents in primary schools. While these fundamentalists prepare for war, the British Humanist Association is dizzy with victory. Darwin’s Theory will now finally become a compulsory element in the new primary curriculum for 2011. Imagine the smile on Richard Dawkins’ face and all the others like him who share in this victory.
Celebrating the introduction of the “enemy” is truly commendable. After all, creationist-inspired beliefs are limiting, imperious and downright embarrassing in the world of today, although thousands would disagree. But in the midst of the preparations for war and the celebrations of victory, a third way needs to be voiced.
In one of the episodes of the Evolution series, narrated by Richard Dawkins, some young people were interviewed after having had extensive input on the subject. The majority accepted it, but still found it difficult to let go of their perceptions of the Divine. Dawkins simply commented that those perceptions would eventually be educated out of them. Just like that, plain and simple.
In listening to the debate, it’s clear that the one side is as dogmatic as the other. There’s not much difference between the fundamentalist who claims that God created the earth in six literal days, and those like Dawkins expounding dogmatically that there is no God.
What is often overlooked are those erudite theological minds who have no dispute with evolution, and who in fact welcome it, but also see the whole process permeated with the Divine. These minds are unacceptable to both sides. Perhaps, herein lies their credibility. Those who integrate apposing poles and transcend them, are often closer to the truth if history is anything to go by.
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