British science bloggers have been busy writing to MPs with their concerns over the attempts to sneak creationism into our schools by organisations such as "Truth in Science". It seems some Conservative MPs are struggling with this one which is starting to uncover what appears to be an anti-science tendency within the tories.
First we have Rob Wilson the Conservative member for Reading East who, when asked specifically about intelligent design being taught in science lessons, apparently believes "There should be a balanced approach to the various theories of origin.".
And then we have Gary Streeter MP who has been pursued by postblogger in recent months on this question. Streeter, who is prominent in the Conservative Christian Fellowship initially gave this bizarre response when asked to keep science in schools separate from religious fundamentalism:
"I would be very happy to act on this matter as soon as you can prove beyond all reasonable doubt that Creationism is not true, and I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible."
Postbloggery persisted and Streeter gave a second reply where he "outed" himself as a believer in, ahem, "intelligent design", and on the question in hand gave these weasel words: "I do not want to promote the teaching of creationism in our schools but nor do I wish to stop it."
How many more Conservative creationists are sitting in our parliament?
"I would be very happy to act on this matter as soon as you can prove beyond all reasonable doubt that Creationism is not true, and I look forward to hearing from you as soon as possible."
The simple answer to this is that, following this logic, the honourable member will also no doubt support the teaching of flying spaghetti monsterism...
Posted by: Tom Rees | February 05, 2007 at 04:54 PM
Hehe, you said "member"... ;-)
On a more serious note, this is, frankly, shocking in this day and age. I think a publicity campaign to out these creationists is the least we can do to make the public aware of these bronze age attitudes to reality.
Posted by: null | February 05, 2007 at 10:20 PM
Thanks for this, I've passed on Rob Wilson's response to my contact in Reading East Labour Party. Who knows might be useful in their attempts to win the seat back.
Posted by: Andrew Brown | February 07, 2007 at 08:37 AM
I can see no reason why MPs who back creationism should not be publicly exposed and embarassed. Good grief, if even the pope can accept evolution, what does that make them!?
Posted by: The Labour Humanist | February 07, 2007 at 10:01 AM
I bet Rob Wilson will be terrified that Labour hope to regain a seat they lost by campaigning on such essential issues as Darwin's Theory of Evolution. Call me old fashioned but I thought people might care more about skoolz'n'ospitals, shows how much I know about Reading.
Posted by: Reagan Fan | February 20, 2007 at 06:17 PM
Yes, the people of Reading do care about schools. This is why we want science taught in science classes, not religion.
(And of course many people will not welcome having their religious views dissected in science classes.)
Rob Wilson claims to support science (and is on the Education and Skills Select Committee) yet supports the teaching of superstition in place of science. What next astrology?
Posted by: Paul Millington | March 06, 2007 at 06:11 PM
What is the point of this nonsense? Also people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. The labour Prime Minister is a religious whacko and several members of his cabinet. There is as strong a free-thinking tradition in Conservatism than there is in Socialism regardless of what certain nutty creationist councillors might think. Hayek, Friedman, Popper...all non-believers. There are also many non-believers in the Conservative Party in Nothern Ireland where we're trying to supplant religious based Parties with secular. We note the fact the the Labour Party doesn't organise here or contest elections.
Posted by: Jeff Peel | March 10, 2007 at 01:50 PM
To Jeff Peel,
I agree entirely. Any creationist Labour MPs should also be "outed". This isn't a Party Political issue, nor a Religious-Humanist one. (I have no idea what religion Rob Wilson follows - nor do I care). It is one of science and technology vs myth, a government fit for the 21st century not the 14th.
Posted by: Paul Millington | April 16, 2007 at 02:03 PM