Greek scientists urge teaching of evolution

[and-justice-for-all]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060812/sc_afp/greeceeducationdarwin_060812210755

Sat Aug 12, 5:07 PM ET

ATHENS (AFP) - Greek scientists have called on the education ministry to insist on teaching the concept of evolution, or Darwinism, which they say is practically unheard of in the country's schools, a press report said.

"The evolution theory is included in secondary school books but it is not taught sufficiently because time is limited and teachers don't make it to the end of the book where this theory is dealt with," Manos Papadakis, head of the Greek association of bioscientists, told Kathiremini newspaper.

"It depends on the good will of some teachers if students hear anything about (Charles) Darwin," he said, warning that "nothing can be understood in biology without the evolution theory."

Papadakis said students were lacking vital information on life and their own existence and history.

A petition urging the ministry to act was signed by 200 scientists.

Darwin developed his theory of evolution and natural selection in the mid-19th century.

Greece's influential Orthodox Church which defends creationism based on the Bible did not immediately comment on the scientists' appeal.


This is a great statement: "Papadakis said students were lacking vital information on life and their own existence and history."

Obviously when you teach people things from fairy tales, they will be lacking.

[Evoman]

1. Man, I agree so much.

I teach biology non-majors about evolution in university (in Canada). They know literally nothing about evolution. I rememeber I had a pretty good introduction into it, but it just isn't enough. I don't get why we have to spend so much time studying phylums and classes and kingdoms, but don't actually talk about Evolution which now glues the whole Taxonomic Schema together in the first place. What is the point?!

Even one or two lectures on evolution, along with the proper lab excercises, can make a HUGE difference. I have had creationists confront me after, and during class, and I give them the freedom to thoroughly grill me. I had one girl who didn't believe in the theory at all...by the end of the class, she was asking me to recommend some literature, because she had read only anti-evolution books and she wanted to learn more about the debate. Especially after I admitted to her that I read both sides, and that I had read Philip Johnson's Darwin on Trial and that I wasn't some sort of cold, one-sided scientist.

People can learn...we just have to be willing to teach them.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. Evolution is not inconsistant with all religious teaching

in the mystical traditions of most religious sects, the evolution of consciousness is a given. Kindly check out www.mayanmajix.com for an explanation of how the Mayan Calendar actually shows evolution.

[papau]

3. Evolution is taught in all Greek schools and the Church as no problem

with it (the Greek Orthodox Church in this case).

My only problem with Greek education is that the Greek fantastically excellent science and math books that sell for near zero money in Greece can not be sold to a non-Greek student - and certainly not to a tourist, because the Greek Government subsidy keeping that low price is meant only for Greek students.

The scientist's complaint in the article is the placement of the chapters on evolution in a text book - namely at the back of the book where a class that is behind schedule will not get to the material before summer vacation.

[and-justice-for-all]

4. Mythology does not belong in Biology class.

[papau]

5. Evolution is not mythology - interesting comment though - may the

Lord grant you peace - and manners.

[and-justice-for-all]

6. I think you misread the title of my post.....

MYTHOLOGY (Creationsim) does not belong in BIOLOGY (Evolution) class.

Manners?? and Lord who???

[Evoman]

7. May the lord grant YOU the ability to correctly understand

people before judging them....oh yeah, and peace too.