The poll also disclosed that pupils in almost a third of schools already learn about the controversial divine explanation of the universe, with even science teachers thinking it has a place in classrooms. Almost all of those questioned by Teachers TV, a satellite television channel, agreed that children with strong religious beliefs would feel excluded from science lessons if their views were ignored. The findings support the views of the Rev Professor Michael Reiss, who lost his job as director of education at the Royal Society, Britain's prestigious scientific academy, after calling for creationism to be included in school science lessons.
The ordained Church of England minister said that the idea that the Earth was made by God 10,000 years ago should be discussed if students raise it, because 'banging on' about natural selection would not lead evangelical Christians or Muslims to change their views. But he was forced to step down after his views were denounced as 'dangerous' and 'outrageous' by two Nobel laureates and the Royal Society claimed he had damaged its reputation.
