Free Republic

Pope Benedict XVI said the debate raging in some countries — particularly the United States and his native Germany — between creationism and evolution was an “absurdity,” saying that evolution can coexist with faith. The pontiff, speaking as he was concluding his holiday in northern Italy, also said that while there is much scientific proof to support evolution, the theory could not exclude a role by God. “They are presented as alternatives that exclude each other,” the pope said. “This clash is an absurdity because on one hand there is much scientific proof in favor of evolution, which appears as...

It was Kris Helphinstine's first week teaching at Sisters High School, and he was hoping to encourage some critical thinking in his biology class. So while discussing evolution, he handed out an essay written by a prominent creationist and put together a PowerPoint presentation linking evolution to eugenics experiments practiced in Nazi Germany. That decision cost Helphinstine his job this week. The Sisters School District Board voted to fire Helphinstine after only eight days, making the Central Oregon community the latest flashpoint in the multidecade debate over the teaching of evolution in American schools.