According to The New York Times (Feb. 7, 2011), creationists are present in biology classes all over the country, and they are teaching their convictions!

A survey of some 900 biology teachers found "only 28 percent" of them "describe straightforwardly the evidence for evolution" while 15-20% teach creation as an alternative explanation of origins. 60% simply dance around the issue and don't teach either with any degree of clarity.

This matters a great deal, you see, because more high school students take biology than any other science course. The Times observes, ominously, "So the influence of these teachers looms large."

Researchers are, of course shocked. Shocked! Especially since every one of these teachers has been dutifully taught the dogmas of evolutionary theory and knows that the National Research Council recommends they teach it as they were taught. Dr. Randy Moore, a professor at the University of Minnesota, explained that those teaching creation "just reject what we told them."

Imagine! What impertinence! That students would reject what they were taught by their professor - a professor, no less - and then go out and pursue their careers according to their own convictions! Good heavens; what is this world coming to?

Dr. Moore (no relation, I assure you) believes this situation represents "the biggest failure in science education." Perhaps.

But it looks like a real victory for critical thinking and the courage of conviction.

Additional related texts: 2 Peter 3.1-13; Proverbs 26.4, 5; 2 Timothy 2.24-26

A conversation starter: "Research shows that a growing number of science teachers are avoiding teaching evolution, and many are actually teaching creation as an explanation of the origins of the universe. Should we be concerned about this?

T. M. Moore