This review essay focuses on Özgür Taskin's discussion of the theory of evolution (TOE), intelligent design (ID) and the convictions of fundamentalist science educators and students in his paper entitled: "An exploratory examination of Islamic values in science education: Islamization of science teaching and learning via…

Argues that London newspaper satirists are important in the history of Charles Darwin's theory of natural selection: (1) they were among the interpreters of a paradigm shift in biology from the older idealist thinking to the newer empiricist thinking and (2) they simplified the idealist-empiricist issue by making it more accessible to the general…

An anonymous 12-item, multiple-choice questionnaire was administered to 218 southern college, introductory zoology students prior to and following a study of evolutionary theory to assess their understanding and acceptance of the credibility of the evidence supporting the theory. Key topics addressed were the history of evolutionary thought, basic…

Analyzes the science frameworks of 49 states and the District of Columbia to determine the emphasis given to evolution in these documents at the middle and secondary levels. Collectively, the 50 frameworks emphasized evolution in a manner that suggests that if the public's support for standards-based curricula is a reality, the study of evolution…

There are significant variances in both the religious and non-religious beliefs for rejecting evolution, and likewise diversity in the extent to which various creationists reject evolution. Describes the anti-evolution stances of literalists, progressives, and theists and addresses teaching concerns relative to anti-evolution positions. Contains…

Although the film and play "Inherit the Wind" is sometimes thought to be an accurate depiction of the Scopes Trial, there are many major inaccuracies. Summarizes the major differences between what is portrayed in "Inherit the Wind" and what happened in Dayton, Tennessee in 1925 at John Scopes's trial. (WRM)

Summarizes the status of the evolution/creationism debate in contemporary society. Makes recommendations for scientists and science educators to advance the popular acceptance and understanding of evolution. Contains 74 references. (WRM)

Traces the history of legal rulings leading up to the Edwards vs. Aguillard decision by the Supreme Court that it is unconstitutional to mandate "balanced treatment" and "equal time" for teaching creationism along with evolution in school science classes. Contains 17 references. (WRM)

When the Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana law that required public schools to give "equal time" to "creation science," an apparent contradiction was created because groups that traditionally supported the defense of civil liberties in general and freedom of expression in particular seemed to support a position designed to…

Describes challenges to teaching evolution initiated by religious fundamentalist groups in the United States. Finds that the number of after-the-fact challenges to public school material, curricula, and instructional activities objected to because they included evolution or failed to include creation science from 1983-1996 is relatively small.…