Creationism in the United Kingdom

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Although the [[United States]] is usually regarded as a hotbed of [[creationist]] ideas, the rise of '''creationism in the United Kingdom''' is also of concern. The scale of creationism and the problem it poses is still debatable — [[Ben Goldacre]] specifically left out any mention of creationism in ''Bad Science'' because he claimed it wasn't an issue, but [[Richard Dawkins]] (naturally) has raised concerns about it, showing uncritical teaching of creationism in [[Islam]]ic faith schools in his Channel 4 documentary ''[[Faith School Menace?]]''.

On the other hand, [[skepticism|scepticism]] and [[atheism]] are also important in the UK ("We don't ''do'' God"<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/3301925.stm BBC News - Blending politics and religion]</ref>) and [[Skeptics in the Pub|Sceptics in the Pub]] meetings are usually a lot more fun than going to church.

The Bank of England’s £10 note had a portrait of [[Charles Darwin]] on it until replaced by new polymer notes in March 2018, reflecting the relatively low numbers of creationists in the UK. There is very little creationism advocacy in government, except in Northern Ireland.

==Creationist organisations==

There are a number of British creationist organisations, although none are as well-funded or glitzy as their US counterparts.

===Truth in Science===  
{{main|Truth in Science}}

Truth in Science<ref>[http://www.truthinscience.org.uk/site/ Truth in Science - teach the nonexistent controversy]</ref> is more towards the ID end of the spectrum and it advocates the [[Discovery Institute]]'s [[wedge strategy]] of "[[teach the controversy]]".

Although it claims that it wants an even-handed approach to be taken in respect of the imagined "controversy", its completely impartial FAQ<ref>[http://www.truthinscience.org.uk/site/content/view/109/54/ Truth in Science - FAQ]</ref> includes the completely non-biased question: ''"If Darwinism is flawed, why do so many scientists still believe it?"'' This is a reasonably good example of its impartiality.

===Creation Science Movement===
[[File:CSM-Donate.gif|thumb|"CSM prayerfully trusts in God to provide all the finances so we do not ask directly for donations, but rely upon God's faithfulness"]]

The Creation Science Movement are full-on wacky creationists.<ref>[https://www.csm.org.uk/whoweare.php Creation Science Movement]</ref> The CSM claims to be the oldest creationist organisation in the world, having grown out of the "Evolution Protest Movement" that was founded in 1932.

Their statement of faith includes:<ref>[https://www.csm.org.uk/statement.php Creation Science Movement - statement of faith]</ref>

*''The Bible is the written Word of God. It is divinely inspired and inerrant throughout. Its assertions are factually true in all the original autographs. It is the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.''
*''The account of origins presented in Genesis is a simple but factual presentation of actual events and therefore provides a reliable framework for scientific research into the question of the origin and history of life''
*''The great flood of Genesis was an actual historic event, worldwide in its extent and effect''

Their objectives are:

*To show that the Scriptures, and in particular those that bear on Creation, are reliable.
*To lecture on [[Creation Science]] at universities, schools, and churches.
*To publish and distribute the journal 'Creation', pamphlets, books, DVDs, video, CDs/audio tapes demonstrating that the biblical account of special Creation is supported by true science.

The movement seems quite amateurish compared to the likes of [[Answers in Genesis]], with a web-based FAQ that appears cobbled together mostly from lists of creationist arguments that even creationists don't like using. Such as answering the question "what evidence is there for creation" with "there's no evidence to ''disprove'' creation!"<ref>[http://www.csm.org.uk/faqs.php#evidence CSM.org - FAQ]</ref>

===Noah's Ark Zoo Farm===
Noah's Ark Zoo Farm<ref>[http://www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk/ Noah's Ark Zoo Farm homepage]</ref> is a tourist attraction and stealth creationism pusher located in North Somerset. It has won several awards for its education about animals and as an attraction (and by most accounts it appears to be a good educational resource for conservation), but has been seriously criticised for being a partially closeted young-Earth creationist organisation.<ref>[http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/dec/08/wont-go-back-to-creationist-zoo-bristol The Guardian - Why I won't be going back to Bristol's creationist zoo]</ref>

Compared to those "loonie American creationists",<ref>[http://www.skepticblog.org/2009/02/17/a-skeptic-goes-inside-noahs-ark/ Quote from the owner, Anthony Bush, to Michael Schermer.]</ref> the Farm isn't explicit about how "young" the Earth is, although its owner has stated 100,000 years. This figure is still ''very'' "young" in comparison to established geology, which it criticises heavily,<ref>[http://www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk/pages/research/06-radioisotopes/radioisotopes.php Noah's Ark Zoo Farm FAQ - An Earth billions of years old?]</ref> but not quite the 6000 years of the Ussher chronology. The Zoo Farm is still a big believer in the dichotomy of [[microevolution]] and [[macroevolution]], as well as [[Old Earth creationism#Gap Theory|gap theory]] and a firm belief in a [[Global flood|Biblical flood]].<ref>[http://www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk/pages/research/09-evolution-a-theory-under-pressure/evolution-a-theory-under-pressure.php Noah's Ark Zoo Farm FAQ - Evolution; yes and no]</ref> It is, however, careful about how up front it is with these beliefs, presumably as it does not want to scare off potential visitors by being too weird.

In 2009, it came under investigation for having dodgy links to the Great British Circus (a controversial group because of its continued use of live animals) and for breaking numerous regulations imposed by both the government and societies of which the zoo was a member. In true [[British]] fashion, you can be as nutty as you like when you teach kids, but you can't mistreat animals.

===Genesis Expo===
They describe themselves as "the biggest Creation Museum in the UK" &mdash; which may well be true, but given it occupies the front bar of a former pub, the word 'biggest' is strictly relative &mdash; and are located in Portsmouth and are run by the above-mentioned Creation Science Movement. They claim to cover such topics as:
* The impossibility of life forming from chemicals.
* Chinese calligraphy refers back to Genesis.
* The present day forms remain unchanged from their fossil counterparts.
* Geological sediments are laid down rapidly.
* A study of genetics shows that all humanity came from [[Y-chromosomal Adam|one man]] and [[Mitochondrial Eve|one woman]].{{efn|Which is true; unfortunately for creationists, they lived millions of years apart and they were not the only person of their gender living at that time}}

Oh and they have a ''clutch of REAL fossilised dinosaur eggs''. <ref>[http://www.genesisexpo.co.uk/displays.html Oh wow! Can we go? Can we? Can we? Huh? Huh?]</ref>

===Centre for Intelligent Design===

Glasgow-based ID group.<ref>[http://www.c4id.org.uk/ Centre for intelligent design - homepage]</ref> Looks like a cheap Discovery Institute clone with extensive references to [[Michael Behe]]. They have some rather intrusive terms and conditions.<ref>[http://www.c4id.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=204&Itemid=110 Centre for intelligent design - they are watching you!]</ref>

Its goals are pure [[Wedge Document]].

*promote the professional investigation and public debate of Intelligent Design
*challenge, on the scientific evidence, the neo-Darwinian claim that the development of life is purely the result of undirected forces
*encourage consideration of the wider implications of Intelligent Design.

According to their website, it is directed by [[Alastair Noble]]. Their president is Prof [[Norman Nevin]] OBE, Emeritus Professor of Medical Genetics, Queens University, Belfast and their vice-president is Dr [[David Galloway]], Vice President of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Glasgow, Scotland.<ref>[http://www.c4id.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=166&Itemid=26 Centre for intelligent design - Personnel]</ref>

===The Caleb Foundation===
{{main|Caleb Foundation}}

The Caleb foundation are Irish creationists.<ref>[http://www.calebfoundation.org/index.htm Caleb foundation homepage]</ref> If their homepage correctly reflects their technical ability and scientific knowledge, then they would seem to pose little threat to our children. However, they actually have the ear of many Unionist members of Parliament in Northern Ireland, who then push creationism as hard as they can get away with.

===The Norwich Reformed Church===
{{main|Alan Clifford}}

Although controversial primarily for its anti-Islamic stance, Alan Clifford's Norwich Reformed Church is also a creationist outfit, as can be seen in its leaflet "Devious [[Richard Dawkins|Dawkins]], or Creation Not Evolution".<ref>http://nrchurch.limewebs.com/pdf/Creation%20Not%20Evolution.pdf</ref>

==Fighting the good fight== 
 
Fortunately, there are a number of organisations who object to this madness.

===The Council of Europe===

{{main|Council of Europe 2007 resolution on the teaching of creationism}}

The [[Council of Europe]] strongly objects to the teaching of creationism as science.

===British Centre for Science Education===

{{main|British Centre for Science Education}}

BCSE is an organisation which fights for the use of real science.

==See also==
* [[Alan O'Reilly]]

==External links==
*[http://www.genesisexpo.co.uk Creation Museum homepage]
*[http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7613403.stm BBC - who are the British creationists]

==Notes==
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==References==
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[[Category:Creationism]]
[[Category:United Kingdom]]

Categories: Creationism, United Kingdom