Creation science Quote by Neil Postman
““Educators may bring upon themselves unnecessary travail by taking a tactless and unjustifiable position about the relation between scientific and religious narratives. We see this, of course, in the conflict concerning creation science. Some educators representing, as they think, the conscience of science act much like those legislators who in 1925 prohibited by law the teaching of evolution in Tennessee. In that case, anti-evolutionists were fearful that a scientific idea would undermine religious belief. Today, pro-evolutionists are fearful that a religious idea will undermine scientific belief. The former had insufficient confidence in religion; the latter insufficient confidence in science. The point is that profound but contradictory ideas may exist side by side, if they are constructed from different materials and methods and have different purposes. Each tells us something important about where we stand in the universe, and it is foolish to insist that they must despise each other.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Amusing Ourselves to Death, 1985
Educators should avoid forcing science and religion into conflict; both offer valuable, distinct perspectives on reality.
In simple terms: Science and religion can coexist without fighting.
Respect differing methods and purposes.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- classroom teaching
- public policy
- interfaith dialogue
- science communication
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can educators present both without bias?
- What benefits arise from acknowledging multiple truths?
Balancing respect for both can be challenging.