Problems with the Creationist Public Image

I'd say the most common place to find creationists teaching their messages is in church-related places, such as Sunday school, and at home (especially worrying for the home-schooled). The story is much the same for the publication of creationist literature and media - mostly church-based.This strong association with religion and family creates as very strong emotional tie to creationism. As the belief is taught by your parents, other relatives and pastors/preachers, you feel that any questioning of this is jeopardising your relationship with your family and God. To accept evolution would therefore mean a loss of almost your whole life, so no wonder they fight so hard not to do it!As for the effect of this on the non-creationists, it depends on their religious views - the non-religious will probably ridicule creationists about it and the religious may only see them as misguided. Likewise for the scientifically educated - the scientists will ridicule them and the non-scientists will take them as just another 'theory' (although probably not believe the creationist opinion because they are a minority).Just a quick word about the mainstream media - they tend to try to be impartial, but this gives the creationists far more credit than they deserve because they end up on equal footing with the scientists. They also like controversy, so like to show dissenting opinions of people who disagree with mainstream views. This reinforces the lay person's perspective about it being a clash between two theories, and that the 'alternatives/controversy should be taught'. Thankfully, there are relatively few vocal creationists in Australia (most moved to the US ), so they get little representation on the media here.The tactics of creationists, however, are what most affects their public image in my view, but to be honest it isn't much publicised and , like before, the effect depends on the audience's religious tendencies and scientific literacy. The video in my signature shows the tactics - appealing to children (and parents) and making emotion-based pleas to the public. As before, the religious non-scientists may see that as normal (after all, children are taught - read: inculcated - from an early age about God, so why not about creation science?). But the non-religious and/or scientists will see that as outrageous, because inculcation is always bad, and is downright appalling when it is dishonest (like emotional appeals and simplifications for children are).I've probably missed something I wanted to say here, so I'll say it later if need be.Edited by Doddy, : broke paragraphs up more consistantly

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This is certainly very true, but not so much on boards like this. But if you go to a non-science forum, like a gaming forum or movie forum, and discuss evolution in the off-topic area, you will get stupid and ignorant responses from both sides.

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Help to inform the public - contribute to the EvoWiki today! This is what we are up against. There are thousands around the world more being (home-)schooled in the same way. But the internet is far reaching! Teach evolution by joining the Evolution Education Wiki today!