The ECPM shares a broad concern amongst many European Christians about a proposal to ban the teaching of creationism in education. This proposal will be discussed on 26th of June within the Council of Europe. The cause for this proposal is the report “The dangers of creationism in education” which was approved by the Committee on Culture, Science and Education on May, 31, 2007 and will be voted for at 26 June in the Council’s parliament.

The main concern of the ECPM is the narrowing of the freedom of speech and opinion and the oversimplified anti-religious tone in this report. Statements as if creationism is a threat to democracy and the basic values of Europe are itself discriminating and anti-democratic. Even more critical is the idea expressed in the report that the belief in a creation is a threat to humanity, especially when we keep the massacres and prosecution of millions in mind during the 20th century under the atheistic totalitarian regimes in Europe.

Besides, the report is a denial of the Christian roots of modern science since the church introduced universities in Medieval Europe. It’s also a denial of the fact that it were Christian-democrats who laid down the fundaments of a free and democratic Europe as we can enjoy today. In their footsteps the ECPM still underlines the necessity of the freedom of opinion and religion as fundamental for democracy in Europe.

The report suggests that modern science and education excludes a belief in creation. Many present-day scientists in Europe are able to combine the belief in creation and doing excellent scientific work. Many orthodox, catholic and protestant schools and universities contribute to our modern European society. A society in which different ideas about the origin of life can live together and be debated about within science with scientific and philosophical arguments. Political bodies like the Council of Europe should leave this debate to the people of Europe and the education policies to the European nations. The report therefore is also a threat to free scientific research and debate. In stead of spreading conspiracy theories (as the report also does in its statements on links between belief in creation and extremist groups) the committee could better focus at improvement of the assistance to science and education many Eastern-European countries outside the EU.

We call to all Europeans who cherish freedom of opinion, science and religion to make clear to the Council that this report is not acceptable in a free and democratic Europe. The ECPM especially calls to its members and friends to express this concern within the national and European political bodies and parliaments. We hope that the Council will at least postpone the voting and reflect again on the content of this report.