Intelligent Gravity: coming soon to a school near you...

Intelligent Gravity, the theory that posits the central gravitational field of the Earth is not what keeps our feet on the ground but rather an Intelligent Designer, who pushes us down to Earth, may soon be taught as an alternative to the Theory of Gravity in British schools.

Not so fast, say you? Well, may be not, but it does seem that Creationism, under the guise of Intelligent Design, is making fast inroads into the British Education system. The belief system that an Intelligent Designer (read: G-d) had a dab hand in the creation of life on Earth is perfectly discussable in the framework of religious education but with science it has nothing to do. One thing most theologians and scientists at least agree on is that G-d falls outside the realm of observable, empirical reality and His Existence is therefore not testable. Attempts at finding G-d's fingerprints in the geological record are consequently futile and don't have a place in science classes.

Revealed: rise of creationism in UK schools

James Randerson, science correspondent
Monday November 27, 2006
The Guardian

Dozens of schools are using creationist teaching materials condemned by the government as "not appropriate to support the science curriculum", the Guardian has learned.
The packs promote the creationist alternative to Darwinian evolution called intelligent design and the group behind them said 59 schools are using the information as "a useful classroom resource".

A teacher at one of the schools said it intended to use the DVDs to present intelligent design as an alternative to Darwinism. Nick Cowan, head of chemistry at Bluecoat school, in Liverpool, said: "Just because it takes a negative look at Darwinism doesn't mean it is not science. I think to critique Darwinism is quite appropriate."

But the government has made it clear that "neither intelligent design nor creationism are recognised scientific theories". The chairman of the parliamentary science and technology select committee, the Lib Dem MP Phil Willis, said he was horrified that the packs were being used in schools.

"I am flabbergasted that any head of science would give credence to this creationist theory and be prepared to put it alongside Darwinism," he said. "Treating it as an alternative centralist theory alongside Darwinism in science lessons is deeply worrying."

The teaching pack, which includes two DVDs and a manual, was sent to the head of science at all secondary schools in the country on September 18 by the group Truth in Science. The enclosed feedback postcard was returned by 89 schools. As well as 59 positive responses, 15 were negative or dismissive and 15 said the material was "not suitable". More...