Creationism in Romania

From Macedonia Online:

Romania’s withdrawal of the theory of evolution from the school curriculum could be evidence of a growing conservative tendency in teaching. Evolution has been removed from the school curriculum in a move which, pressure groups argue, distorts children’s understanding of how the world came into being.

…Meanwhile, in religious classes, pupils are taught that the world was created in seven [sic – should be “six”] days and God made plants on the third day and the sun on the fourth. Textbooks claim the first man was Adam, who was ‘made of ground’, and that Eve, the first woman, was made from one of her husband’s ribs.

The Education Minister, Cristian Adomnitei, claims that evolution remains “implicit” in the science curriculum, and Remus Cernea of Solidarity for Freedom of Conscience believes “lack of vision” is the reason for the changes, rather than Orthodox Christian machinations.

Back in 2006, I wrote about Alfa Omega, an American-lined neo-Pentecostal TV studio in Romania which promotes creationism in schools, and I linked to the station’s English-language website. That website has now disappeared, but can be accessed via Wayback. It includes the following, under the heading “CHRISTIAN EDUCATIONAL VIDEO-LIBRARIES FOR ROMANIAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS”:

 Main Thematics

Building the character of the young people

-This project may include Sunday schools, churches or Christian organizations that have educational activities for youth.

-To strengthen the influence of this project, the district departments of the Romanian Government and the Ministry of Education will be involved.

Raising the cultural level – by presenting the true values in literature, history, philosophy and music.

Enriching general knowledge: documentaries on nature, geography, science and technology.

Religious education, spirituality::

-the history of civilizations and religions

-creationism

-Christian values

-biblical teachings

Music, uncorrupted entertainment

Endorsements from teachers follow.