In recent decades the debate about the relationship between science and religion, and the appropriate place of each in a pluralistic society, has become so acrimonious as at times to erupt in incivility. This discussion will broach two central questions: (1) is it possible for religious believers both a) to believe in a purposeful God, and b) at the same time to accept the evolutionary assumptions of modern cosmology, geology, biology, genetics, and neuroscience? I will contend not only that this is possible, but that it is essential for their coherence that religious traditions integrate the evolutionary world view into their theologies and religious cultures. Second, what are the parameters of free thought in a pluralistic society? Do the interests of science and secularism demand the erasure of all cultural traditions that do not meet the rigorous demands of scientific reductionism? What place is there in our educational system for introducing students to some of the many religious and philosophical traditions developed by human kind over the last 3,500 years?

Many topics in the curriculum of American schools are controversial, but perhaps the one with the longest tenure is evolution. Politics plays a role in this controversy in a number of ways. Politicians have keen antennae for cultural values, and the "fairness" argument (i.e., it is only "fair" to "balance" evolution with creationism) is regularly exploited, regardless of the appropriateness of its application to science education. Variants of the fairness argument, such as balancing evolution with "scientific alternatives to evolution" or presenting the "strengths and weaknesses of evolution," have in fact become the current predominant antievolutionist strategies, partly in response to a series of legal decisions that have excluded the advocacy of creationism in public schools.

A talk for the
Greater Phoenix Chapter
of
Americans United for
Separation of Church and State

“Didn’t the Dover decision knock out ID?” asks the perplexed journalist, echoing Stephen Jay Gould’s earlier comment to me in 1988 after the Edwards vs. Aguillard Supreme Court decision, “We don’t have to worry about creationism anymore!”. Well, Gould learned differently, and at the National Center for Science Education we have plenty of reasons why we have to take creationism seriously. For one thing, it is spreading internationally, as conservative Christian missionaries use creationist literature in their missionary activities – although its spread as one might expect is also influenced by idiosyncrasies of politics and national pride.

A lecture at the
2011 Northeast Conference
on
Science and Skepticism
(NECSS)

The storied Salmagundi Club in New York City's Village celebrates science in education. "No Dinosaurs In Heaven" by Emmy Award-winning director Greta Schiller is a documentary film that explores the issue of creationism in science and education. The film features anthropologist Dr. Eugenie Scott on a voyage through the majestic Grand Canyon. This intimate event will feature wine & cheese and billiards as well as a taste of the film and a discussion with filmmaker Greta Schiller and Dr. Scott. Attendees will receive a DVD of the film and be automatically entered in a raffle for art photography from the journey.

Tickets are $100 available through TicketLeap.