Biography:

Michael Roberts; M.A. from Oxford (geology) B.A. Durham Theology. He was a formerly exploration geologist in Africa and was ordained a Church of England priest in 1974. Moreover, he is an hon. Fellow in History at University of Lancaster. He has a broad interest in science and religion and has specialities in creationism, Intelligent Design, creationism in education, Genesis and geology, Darwins geology and religion. Author of "Evangelicals and Science" (Greenwood 2008). He has published about a dozen papers and five book chapters on Darwin's geology, Intelligent Design and Genesis and geology. Moreover, he was an invited speaker at Geol Soc of America annual conference in 2008 and 2009 on evangelicals and geology and Darwin. He has lead field trips to North Wales for university and professional groups on Darwins geology.

Abstract:

he Growth of Creationism outside the USA from 1980 and influence on faith and education

Forty years ago creationism and anti-Darwinism was almost unknown outside the USA but today it is common throughout the world and results in conflicts in various religions and education. The roots of creationism are in American fundamentalism and the modern movement effectively dates from 1961. Since the 80s creationism has grown throughout the world influencing faiths, education and museums.
Creationism has grown within evangelical Christianity, which tends to take the Bible literally. Within Europe this has resulted in pressure to make science teaching critical of evolution and to recognise creationism as valid science. So far this has been rejected within the UK and EU. The growing evangelicalism in Africa, Asia and Latin America is dominantly creationist, but so far has made little impact on education, though there has been pressure to alter anthropological displays in Nairobi museums.
Within Islam the picture is less clear. First, The Quran is not so centred on a Six day creation. However anti-Darwinism has become an issue because of the perception of atheistic Darwinism and the export of American Creationism to the Muslim world, with many Muslim websites reproducing American creationist arguments. The influence of Haran Yahya of Turkey is significant, with Turkey reflecting both Isalmic and secular influences in the public arena. The influence on education is little researched.
It is difficult to give a clear picture of creationism as the situation is confused. One thing is clear; Creationism will be at the centre of controversy both in world faiths and in education for many years to come.