I just wrote to my MP

First time I’ve ever done that, with the exception of a couple of organised pro-forma postcard things.

For what it’s worth, here’s what I wrote:

FOR THE ATTENTION OF:
Kali Mountford MP
Colne Valley

Monday 27 November 2006

Dear Kali Mountford,
I am writing to you because I am deeply concerned about the use of creationist and ‘Intelligent Design’ teaching materials in British schools, as reported in The Guardian newspaper on November 27th 2006. A copy of the article is available at the following web address:
http://education.guardian.co.uk/schools/story/0,,1957858,00.html

As creationist and ‘Intelligent Design’ theories are not in any way scientific, relying as they do upon a supernatural explanation for the origin of life, they do not have any place in the science classroom. If they are to be taught at all, they should be dealt with solely in lessons dedicated to the study of religion and culture.

In today’s climate of fear surrounding matters of strong religious belief, it is of utmost importance that our children’s scientific education be based upon a strong foundation of empiricism and rationalism. The teaching of creationism and “Intelligent Design” on an equal footing to proven, accepted scientific fact precludes this absolutely.

The government has a responsibility to ensure that British children receive the best education possible, and to this end the matter of non-scientific teaching in state-funded science classrooms must be investigated and dealt with immediately. The British public has a right to know how widespread this practice is, and children have a right to be protected from it. Teachers found to be bringing these materials into our schools must be stopped and removed from the positions of trust and responsibility that they have abused.

In closing I would like to quote the Rt Revd Rowan Williams, who in March of this year went on record as saying:

“I think creationism is … a kind of category mistake, as if the Bible were a theory like other theories… ”

When the current Archbishop of Canterbury has publicly stated that the teaching of religion and science are separate concerns, the government has absolutely no excuse for hesitation in ensuring that this particularly sensitive area of the education system is protected, so that science teaching may remain scientific.

Yours sincerely,
Tom Ryan.

I don’t imagine it’ll make the slightest difference, but you have to try.

6 comments 2006-11-27 13:07 Categories: Politics, Rage, Science & Maths