Credit: Those arguing for a clear distinction to be drawn between church and state regarding public education have expressed concern that teaching religious belief as scientific fact is a worrying trend that threatens to undermine academic standards; close children's minds to scientific discovery and endanger "fundamental British values". While the ban was widely welcomed, the British Humanist Association has expressed "huge disappointment" at the government's failure to enforce it, given that funding is still flowing to many of the religious schools in question. According to the BHA director of public affairs, Pavan Dhaliwal​, local authorities, which are responsible for administering school funding in their respective districts, have done little to ensure compliance with the new rules and "do not seen to have the same awareness" as the department regarding schools in contravention of the ban. Where is it happening? Evolution and creationism are vexed issues in many parts of the world in terms of religion, politics and the law. For example, in Brazil, as a secular state, the teaching of creationism is not permitted; while in Saudi Arabia, it is the teaching of evolution that is banned. Evolution is generally taught without controversy in many countries across Europe and the Americas and is supported by governments in Iran and Russia. Creationism, which comprises wide-ranging, often divergent viewpoints across several religious traditions, is widely taught in Turkey and the Middle East.

With the separation of church and state observed in the United States, the teaching of creationism in public schools is considered "unconstitutional" under the law. However, reports indicate that creationism is taught in numerous faith-based private schools that receive public funding through various state-run subsidy programs that provide vouchers to eligible families. Despite the law, the subject remains divisive, primarily because, according to polling, a large proportion of the American public holds creationist beliefs. Is creationism taught in Australian schools? Creationism cannot be taught as science in Australian public schools. However, some faith-based private schools, which are subsidised by the government, are reportedly known to do so. According to Professor Marion Maddox​, of Macquarie University, Australian taxpayers contribute millions of dollars annually to schools that "insist on their right to teach anti-evolutionary, "biblical" theories. Many are concerned that Australia's "egalitarian, free and secular" education is under threat; being slowly undermined by private school subsidies, sequential easing of regulations and the implementation of programs such as the federal government's National School Chaplaincy Program. The controversial continuance of "Special Religious Instruction", which is run by volunteers in many public schools, is another source of concern. Access Ministries, the main provider of SRI and chaplaincy services in Victoria, receives substantial government funding to administer programs and personnel. It has come under fire on several occasions following the discovery that SRI volunteers had distributed teaching materials espousing creationist views. What do proponents say?

Proponents argue that religious people are also taxpayers. They say all parents should have the right to choose the education they wish for their children and receive funding for that choice; whether their beliefs reflect the Bible's Book of Genesis or Charles Darwin's On the Origin of the Species. In the United States, those favouring the use of public funds in this way have campaigned heavily for political candidates who share this view. Creationists accused of "indoctrinating" their children counter this view by arguing that in teaching evolution, children are being indoctrinated by science. They further contend that the theory of evolution is not settled and that both sides of the argument should therefore be represented equally during science classes. What do critics say? Scientists overwhelmingly object to the teaching of creationism as scientific fact. They say scientific knowledge is based upon observation, questioning and the pursuit of evidence, while creationist theories cannot be scientifically tested or proven. Many are angered by the prospect of taxpayer money funding the "indoctrination" of children. They argue that if creationism is taught at all, it should only be included as part of history or social studies, not science. Others are alarmed and mystified as to why creationism appears to be on the rise at a time when science is making huge advances in our understanding of the universe. David Leidner, of US group Atheists United, says teaching creationism as an alternative to evolution is akin to "teaching voodoo as an alternative to medicine". Renowned atheist and scientist, Professor Richard Dawkins says we need "to stop calling evolution a theory", adding that it is "as solidly demonstrated as any fact in science".