The discussion centers around the firing of Cigdem Atakuman, the editor-in-chief of the Turkish science journal Bilim ve Teknik, following the council's decision to prevent the publication of a cover story on Charles Darwin's theory of evolution. Participants explore themes of censorship, the intersection of science and religion, and the implications of Turkey's evolving societal values regarding secularism and Islam.
Participants express differing views on the implications of religious practices for scientific understanding and progress. There is no consensus on whether the actions of the Turkish government represent a broader trend of censorship or a legitimate cultural stance.
Participants' arguments reflect a range of assumptions about the relationship between religion and science, as well as differing perspectives on cultural identity and progress. The discussion does not resolve these complexities.
No issue divides Turks more than the country's alleged creeping Islamization. Early last week, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (Tubitak) sparked an international controversy after it prevented the publication of a cover story about Charles Darwin's evolution theory in Bilim ve Teknik (Science and Technology), one of the country's leading science journals. The publication's editor-in-chief, 41-year-old Cigdem Atakuman, claims she was fired as a result of the incident.
Secular Turks are outraged and the world is watching. Did Tubitak, which publishes Bilim ve Teknik, censor a feature about the theory of evolution under pressure from the conservative Islamic-oriented AKP-led government because it couldn't be reconciled with Muslim religious beliefs?
what said:We did our part already, we extended our lending hand, as a brother to a brother would, yet they still reject the greatest gift that can be given to a human being: "knowledge." I think it's time to leave them alone.
In 30 years we are going to be building bases on the moon, while they will still be making annual pilgrimages to Mecca. Which is kind of ironic since the crescent moon is on the Turkish flag.
Oerg said:going on annual pilgrimages to Mecca has nothing to do with being backwards in thought. I think you should choose your words more carefully as they seem easy to offend.
waht said:We did our part already, we extended our lending hand, as a brother to a brother would, yet they still reject the greatest gift that can be given to a human being: "knowledge." I think it's time to leave them alone.
In 30 years we are going to be building bases on the moon, while they will still be making annual pilgrimages to Mecca. Which is kind of ironic since the crescent moon is on the Turkish flag.
Oerg said:going on annual pilgrimages to Mecca has nothing to do with being backwards in thought. I think you should choose your words more carefully as they seem easy to offend.