Archbishop Rowan Williams Criticizes Creationism in the Classroom

March 24, 2006

Source: The Church of England Newspaper

http://www.churchnewspaper.com/news.php?read=on&number_key=5812&title=Archbishop%20attacks%20schools%20teaching%20creationism

On March 24, 2006 The Church of England Newspaper reported, "The archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has criticised schools that teach creationism as a theory for the formation of the world. The debate between scientists and Christian fundamentalists has intensified as a number of schools have followed the lead of American states, which are teaching creationism, or intelligent design, as part of the curriculum.

Speaking out on the issue, the Archbishop said that the biblical account of creation should not be taught in schools. 'I think creationism is, in a sense, a kind of category mistake, as if the Bible was a social theory like other theories,' he told The Guardian. 'Whatever the biblical account of creation is, it’s not a theory alongside theories... So if creationism is presented as a stark alternative theory alongside other theories, I think there’s just been a jarring of categories. It’s not what it’s about.' He expressed concern that creationism can end up reducing the doctrine of creation rather than enhancing it."