Runner,
While I am not interested in entering a debate about religion I am very interested in exploring the rationale each side gives.

So could you tell me where to find the source for your claim about the "incredibly high" numbers of Christians in China? This is of great interest because, teaching in a Chinese University where the numbers of Christian students are miniscule, and living in a city of 7 million where there are only one Catholic and one inter-denominational church, I'd like to follow this up.

I was also interested to read about the outlawing and persecution such high numbers of people are undergoing? Exactly what form does this take? Is it likely, do you think, to affect my class attendance figures?

We are aware that Government propaganda - in all countries - often gives a misleading picture, but if the much-publicised policy on religious freedoms here has led to the persecution of Christians I would like to know as it would mean some of my students are at risk.

wizofaus

If you search "Creationism" + England, you will find that a number of very expensive educational bodies have been set up to teach it. In some schools, creationism (also "intelligent design") is being taught alongside evolution "let the students decide for themselves." This has also appeared on the continent.

The Vatican and High Church of England, both of whom support evolution, are concerned

abstract:

A recent Mori poll for the BBC found that only 48 per cent of the British population accept evolutionary theory; 39 per cent of people surveyed apparently preferred to put their faith in creationism or its cousin, Intelligent Design. Over 40 per cent believed that the controversial theories like ID should be taught in school science lessons
http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/content/news_syndication/article_060522creationism.shtml

If one accepts either creationism and/or intelligent design, we definitely have cause for complaint. "He" should have got it "right" first off!

Hi Romany

An organisation called open doors has been helping persecuted Christians in China and other countries for decades. They estimate between 60 to 80 million Christians in China. Of course those churches that are registered as with the Government often totally compromise Christs teachings in order to prevent any persecution. I personally know a number of people who have smuggled bibles into China. There are far more Christians in what is known as the underground church than those who belong to 'registered churches'. Exact numbers are obviously difficult obtain. Wikipedia also quotes some independent surveys with numbers ranging between 40 -130 million. Considering their were very few believers 100 years ago this is amazing growth even at its conservative estimates. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christianity_in_China

If your students belonged to registered churches I doubt they would face any persecution. If they belong to any of the thousands of house churches not registered with the Government they would be in danger.
You can read one of the countless cases of persecution that was reported by the BBC below. I have met believers from China who have suffered torture and the loss of possessions for their faith in Christ.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3993857.stm

Danielle, yes, I'm aware that there are parts of the world where creationism has risen to prominence.

That BBC poll result seems highly dubious, given a 1991 poll showed that only 7% of Britons believed in a literal Biblical account of creation.

(http://christianparty.net/gallupcreationscientists.htm)

At any rate, I'm sure we can all agree that what matters the most is the number of people who have actually dedicated their lives to the scientific study of life and its origins and still conclude that evolution theory as we know it is fundamentally wrong. The moment that number starts to rise to anything significant, I will pay attention.

wizofaus,

"... what matters the most is the number of people who have actually dedicated their lives to the scientific study of life and its origins and still conclude that evolution theory as we know it is fundamentally wrong ...

Absolutely correct. Absolutely.

I should have born in mind that poll results also depend upon the way in which questions are posed. Rather like the only permitted response: (yes/no) ... to the question "Have you stopped beating your wife?"

This method of questioning was the favoured way of interrogating those suspected of witch-craft during the Inquisition. If quotas of witches burnt at the stake were anything to go by, this style of questioning certainly brought in results ...

Danielle,

Casting doubt on one theory does not automatically prove another to be correct, especially one that is a just dressed-up and rebadged variation of a fundamentalist philosophical assumption.