On the Origin of Theories
A continuing theme of Christian fundamentalists is that Darwin’s theory of evolution is only a theory and so it should not be taught as fact in schools, or at the very least other “theories” should be presented at the same time. Fundamentalists are by their nature narrow-minded and ignorant, but they seem to have a disproportionate level of influence if not actual political power.
Partly this is the result of organizational efforts by the Christian Coalition (Motto: America’s Leading Grassroots Organization Defending our Godly Heritage”) which has gone out of its way to encourage its members to seek public office in local and regional jurisdictions and, of course, school boards. That’s how Cobb County GA was able to demand that biology textbooks carry a sticker saying that:
“This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered.”
Our purpose is not to question the sensibility of the text on the sticker, but we cannot help but observe the logical flaws, most of which are central to the anti-Darwinism agenda which is in turn central to the fundamentalist belief system. So it is a useful symbol of the pressures that are being brought to bear to bring Christianity back into public schools in general, and science classrooms in particular.
To begin with, evolution has nothing to do with the origin of living things. It is an explanation of the origin of species, which is differentiation between groups of living things. The suggestion that the material should be approached with an open mind sounds reasonable at first glance, because nobody wants to be accused of being closed-minded, but open mindedness is hardly appropriate in all circumstances. For example– Q. “How much is 2 plus 2? A. “Well, some people believe the answer is 4, but I’m open-minded.” Or for an even better example, how would the Cobb County Taliban like it if Bibles were required to carry a similar sticker?
But by far the most egregious example of ignorance in the wording of the sticker, repeated ad infinitum by the fundamentalist clerics is the statement that “Evolution is a theory, not a fact.” The authors of the sticker are showing a genuine ignorance of science, and a genuine ignorance of the English language.
The word “theory” has several distinct meanings, which have (dare we say it) evolved over time. But in science, it has only one meaning– a collection of facts, and a hypothesis that explains them. The hypothesis or explanation will remain theoretical until and unless it can be proved, scientifically. Darwin’s theory of evolution, while supported by a world of factual evidence, must remain a theory until and unless it can be proved by experimentation. That’s the scientific method in action, and it may seem a bit rigid and narrow-minded, but as a theory, evolution is in good company. The law of gravity is part of a theory. Relativity is a theory. Nucyaler weapons are based on atomic theory. So are radio and TV emanations which the fundamentalists are so fond of using to spread their beliefs and solicit donations.
For that matter, the vast majority of Christians seem to have no problem accepting Darwin’s theory in the classroom, and evolution is taught in the majority of private, Christian schools.
Creationism is simply not scientific. Intelligent Design is an attractive concept, but it is not science either. All of these “competing theories” can certainly be taught in public schools– in philosophy and comparative religion classes– but pseudo-science and junk-science and mythology have no place in science classes.
Besides, if these people are so firm in their beliefs, why are they so worried about what is taught in high-school biology class?
–SG
What do you think? Please enter a comment below.
June 16th, 2005 at 9:23 pm
I just ask them, ” Does your dogma disenfranchise every other dogma ?” It gets a lot of noise, but no answers.