Creation and Evolution, Scientific evidence, myths and challenges.
This is an alleged university sponsored creation seminar.
The seminar will be at the University of Southern Queensland, Fraser Coast campus Hervey Bay, on Saturday 13th November 2010.
This seminar will have as there only speakers Creation so called scientists.
They are from the Creation Ministries International, (CMI)
It worries me that the University is sponsoring such a seminar and appearing to promote the fundamentalist Christian view of Creation equally with Evolution.
Evolution is a scientific theory.
Creation or what the Creation Ministries call Creation Science is a religious belief.
I have no problem with a seminar like this, but surely have the other sides views as well.
The CMI of course wants the fundamentalist Christian view of creation taught alongside Evolution in schools and universities.
I have sent an email to the university voicing my concern.
This advertising could be misrepresenting the universities position on this.
I have no problem at all in having such a seminar at a university. But this seminar is only having speakers from CMI.
A balanced debate by creationist and evolution scientists would be a better way for the university to go I would have thought.
But where is the alternative evidence based view. Assuming they are a evidence based university.
They obviously see some money to be made from this venture,
Coming from Queensland, the loony Christian capital of Australia, maybe some creationist at the university has got it going.
We hope not.
I have emailed the Queensland sceptics and the Gold Coast sceptics regarding this seminar. Maybe they can attend and offer a balanced view.
Over the past few days quite of bit of interest has been raised around a public lecture that was to be held at USQ’s Fraser Coast campus on Saturday 13 November. To be given by Creationist Ministries International the discussion formed part of the University’s community engagement activities to bring balanced and impartial debate on sometimes contentious issues. In this instance the lecture series surrounded the topical debate regarding creation and evolution. To bring balance to the debate our USQ Fraser Coast campus attempted to acquire expert commentary to provide equitable and unprejudiced explanation from those opposing the creationist theory.
ReplyDeleteIn this case however in making our facilities available it may have been perceived that USQ was giving tacit approval to Creative Ministries. This is not true. In the light of not being able to secure an opposing point of view the University moved quickly to withdraw whatever room bookings and assistance it was giving with the request that alternative arrangements be made through other community groups better represented to promote and support such activities. At no time were USQ funds used to promote the event. Any fees paid were to be on a cost recovery basis to reimburse the campus for security, electricity and catering charges.
As you can appreciate the University steadfastly supports its role as a leader in community debate which will at times confront controversial issues. This is done however in the belief that any consideration and deliberation of issues are balanced, impartial and unbiased.
In upholding the right of individuals to have personal views the University’s encouragement of community engagement activities will continue to consider requests from all sections of the public to engage in dialogue on issues of mutual interest. In doing so however all requests will be considered on merit and where equitable, balanced and unprejudiced comment can be given.
Dr Aidan Burke
Director Corporate Communications & Public Relations
University of Southern Queensland