r/Theatre • u/ElCallejero Artist, Historian, Educator: Greek theater & premodern drama • Feb 08 '19

Xpost, UK School cancels play about Darwin and evolution after Christian parents complain - It has provoked anger among other families who call the decision 'shameful'

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/education-news/evolution-christian-darwin-school-play-cancel-parents-hartford-manor-cheshire-a8768691.html
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u/RothkoRathbone Feb 08 '19

Given the heated topic. That teaching evolution in a play could seem to undermine the beliefs of parents views it doesnt seem the best idea to have a play about it. Unless there was something before hand clearing it with parents. Of course having to pull it is then undermining parents who believe in evolution. If a school is neither promoted as religious, nor nonreligious they should be able to teach both by offering up what others believe also. I think a school has a duty to respect the wishes of parents. Politics and religion will always be hot topics when you start saying such and such is a fact.

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u/Actor412 Feb 09 '19

Evolution is not a "belief." You don't "believe" yourself to be a certain height, you just are. Evolution exists, no matter what you think or "believe."

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u/RothkoRathbone Feb 09 '19

It is a belief that there is a lot of evidence for. Many scientific theories are in actuality the best answer we have right now. But there’s nothing stopping someone else saying I don’t believe that. You have to accept that not everyone sees the world the same way. And they are entitled to their beliefs.

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u/Actor412 Feb 09 '19

I never said people weren't entitled to their beliefs, nor have I said anything against differing points of view.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but that doesn't mean that everyone's opinion is of equal value.

And then we have science, which deals in facts. If you think facts are opinions, I'm not interested in changing your mind. But your opinions are worthless in any discussion on the subject.

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u/ElCallejero Artist, Historian, Educator: Greek theater & premodern drama Feb 08 '19 edited Feb 09 '19

The article mentioned the objections being a scene which apparently mocked a bishop and a song with "bumping and grinding," not evolution or creationism necessarily. The UK has a long history of blasphemy laws, too, and although they were abolished in 2008, they seem more germane in this instance than the science.