Turkey's science state council halts publication of evolution books

[rug]

Monday,January 14 2013
ISTANBUL

The Scientific and Technical Research Council of Turkey (TÜBİTAK) has put a stop to the publication and sale of all books in its archives that support the theory of evolution, daily Radikal has reported.

The evolutionist books, previously available through TÜBİTAK's Popular Science Publications’ List, will no longer be provided by the council.

The books have long been listed as “out of stock” on TÜBİTAK's website, but their further publication are now slated to be stopped permanently.

Books by Richard Dawkins, Alan Moorehead, Stephen Jay Gould, Richard Levontin and James Watson are all included in the list of books that will no longer be available to the Turkish readers.

http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/turkish-council-of-state-halts-publication-of-evolution-books.aspx?pageID=238&nid=39047&NewsCa%2FtID=374#.UPQr1wBl5c

[cbayer]

1. Bad news. I hate to see this happening in Turkey and hope there is some

significant pushback.

[rug]

2. I'm trying to find out why this happened.

This desn't happen in a vacuum.

[cbayer]

3. I thought I had read previously about this group taking some pretty

agressive actions.

[rug]

5. Here's an article from, I think, 2009.

"Premier science council slammed for Darwin censor"

http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/english/domestic/11189047.asp

It doesn't really clear it up. I can't imaging this institute doesn't accept evolution. But there's nothing in there about bowing to religious pressure either. Although there is this in Britain: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/debate-on-islam-and-evolution-has-to-be-called-off-after-revolt-by-student-societies-8418022.html

Curious. If I find an answer I'll post it.

[Leontius]

4. It's all part of the plan by the current government, slow and steady

erosion of the secular state founded by K. Attaturk.

[rug]

6. You may have found it.

In Erdogan’s Turkey, Censorship Finds Fertile Ground

By: Sibel Utku Bila for Al-Monitor. posted on January 13.

ANKARA — The zeal of Turkish censorship seems to know no limits. It has recently set a new landmark with a bid to censor John Steinbeck’s classic, "Of Mice and Men," on grounds of “immorality.” The controversy raised fresh misgivings over freedom of expression in Turkey, landing the American author in a crowded club of victims, ranging from Chuck Palahniuk and John Lennon to The Simpsons and Piglet.

http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/01/turkey-censorship-steinbeck.html

[dimbear]

7. Piglet? They go too far. n/t

[Adsos Letter]

8. LOL!

Ah...sorry...you caught me off guard.

[Leontius]

12. The AKP was only able to gain control of Turkey after changing

their name and toning down on their religious rhetoric and packaging themselves as really a more moderate party with a more progressive social program than the former government which had the backing of the Turkish military who have claimed to be the protector of a secular society. The Army has on past occasions stepped in to remove governments they thought were becoming too 'religious' and had moved too far from Ataturk's vision of Turkey.

[cleanhippie]

11. Is that something you support, erosion of the secular state?

[muriel_volestrangler]

9. It seems to have been building over time

As well as that 2009 article, there was also, from 2009: In Turkey, fertile ground for creationism

from 2011: Turkey Blocks Web Pages Touting Darwin's Evolution Theory

From last June: Evolution Comes Under Fire in Turkeys Higher Education

[pinto]

10. Seems Turkey's historical role as a comparatively secular state is gradually eroding.

Extremists are effective in the short term. I hope the long term trend counters their influence.