It is interesting to look back at the two strands that make up this thread. The secondary one has focused on the philosophy/semantics of science and has been conducted between people arguing from a basis of reason. The primary thread has looked at the validity or otherwise of YEC and the dangers, as perceived by many people, of teaching it in school. This strand has demonstrated to me the enormous difficulty of having a rational discussion with someone whose starting point is an unmovable faith which seems to ignore or distort evidence which challenges his/her beliefs.
In view of Penny's latest post it appears that education in the UK is a little more enlightened than in the US to the extent that, while creationism can be taught it must be taught alongside evolution, that at least is my understanding. Not to do so must surely constitute a denial of freedom of thought. The comparison with ayatollahs made by Don T does not seem unreasonable. There are many moderate Christians who find YEC and other forms of fundamentalism unacceptable but do not see it as a threat. Perhaps I have got that wrong but in the real world it does not seem to figure on the radar.