Lean Left

Creationism – at one time regarded as an uniquely American Protestant idiocy, has come to Orthodox Catholic Eastern Europe. The rationalist faction is fighting back, but we can expect to see more of this kind of thing, I fear.

Charles Darwin’s evolution theory is out of Serb schools. The Bible is in. . . .

Education Minister Ljiljana Colic told primary school teachers in a memo earlier this week to ignore an existing chapter in eighth-grade biology textbooks that says life on Earth evolved through natural selection.

She said Darwin’s theory is “dogmatic,” adding that it will remain in schoolbooks — “but will not be taught” — pending a general revision of the curriculum expected later this year. . . .

Critics say the decision to drop Darwin’s theory from classes reflects a rise of conservative ideology in the Balkan republic, epitomized by the conservative government that took power in January. It also indicates an increase in the influence of the Serbian Orthodox Church in education and everyday life here.

“This is terrible, I simply cannot believe that this has happened,” said biology professor Nikola Tucic of the University of Belgrade. “We are turning into a theocratic state in the 21st century. . . .

Alarmed by the outrage, the government held an urgent meeting late Wednesday and issued a statement seeking to soften Colic’s stance [and allowing the lessons to go forward until a final policy is issued]. . . .

“Serbia must not become similar to Islamic countries in which religious leaders have a final say,” [opposing] groups protested, while noting that such debates occur regularly in “a number of schools in the United States that are under the influence of extreme Protestant sects.”

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