teaching evolution in public schools. University course George Mason University Biology Department introduced a 1-credit course on the creation/evolution controversy, and Emmett Holman, an associate professor of philosophy from the university, found that as students learn more about biology, they find objections to evolution less convincing. He concluded that "teaching the controversy" would undermine creationists’ criticisms, and that the scientific community's resistance to this approach was bad public relations. Rather than being taught in a mainstream science course, it would be a separate elective course, probably taught by a scientist but called a course on "philosophy of science", "history of science", or "politics of science and religion". Biologist Tom A. Langen argues in a journal letter entitled "What is right with 'teaching the controversy'?" that offering a specific course about this controversy will help students understand the demarcation between science and other ways of obtaining knowledge about nature. Similar positions have been expressed by atheists Julian Baggini and Aaron Sloman. See also Argument to moderation Creation and evolution in public education Darwin on Trial False balance Flying Spaghetti Monster Howard Ahmanson, Jr Inherit the Wind Santorum Amendment References Further reading Peter Slevin, Washington Post, March 14, 2005, "Battle on Teaching Evolution Sharpens" Evan Ratliff, Wired, October 2004, "The Crusade Against Evolution" Discovery Institute, October 13, 2004, "Wired magazine reporter criticized for agenda driven reporting - critique of Wired article and list of alleged misrepresentations Faith and Reason an overview of the Fall 1998 television documentary presented by PBS dealing with religion and science. External links Teach the Controversy Stephen C. Meyer, Cincinnati Enquirer, March 30, 2002 No Need to Fear Teaching the Controversy, from the Discovery Institute The "Wedge" Archives at the Access Research Network website. Critiques of Anti-Evolutionist Phillip Johnson's Views National Center for Science Education resources on ID "Intelligent Design" Not Accepted by Most Scientists Science and Creationism: A View from the National Academy of Sciences by the Steering Committee on Science and Creationism, National Academy of Sciences, addressing the issue of intelligent design in the guise of creationism. The "Intelligent Design" of a Monkey Trial: A Case of Hidden Agendas by Bob Weitzel. At the axisoflogic.com website. Should We “Teach the Controversy”? Jason Rosenhouse csicop.org (Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal) State Your Case Chris Mooney. csicop.org (Committee for the Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal) 25 October 2004 The Newest Evolution