Gotta get this out of the way up top. I'm sure most of you never heard of Christopher Hitchens, though some of you might have. His stock and trade profession was journalism and he was a damn good one, as well as being a supporter of critical thinking, the skeptical movement and an outspoken atheist. Sadly, he was also a heavy drinker and a smoker, which probably contributed to his esophageal cancer and deteriorating health. He passed away on December the 15th, 2011. He was 62. He will be missed by his family (not me), friends (still not me, though I think we'd have gotten on well) and admirers (there I am).
In memorium, Christopher Hitchens, April 13, 1949 - December 15, 2011
Anyway, needed to get this out of my head and on (digital) paper and I don't think Mr. Hitchens would fault me for trying to state something blatantly. There's something that's been troubling me as of late about evolution. It seems a vast amount of people want to quibble about it being taught in schools or not. The whole debate has been getting on my nerves because it seems to come from it at the wrong angle. Let me get my personal feelings out there, which happen to coincide with scientific fact: The theory of evolution is how the natural world makes subtle changes through passing genes, environmental pressures and produces the various species we observe both living today and in the fossil record.*
The issue seems to stem from people either not accepting these facts or claiming such facts assault their religion. To address the second point first, if you're not going to believe in a religion because the facts go against you, there are very few faiths left available to you. Religion practically requires belief in the bizarre, impossible or ridiculously unlikely as part of it's dogma, thus that argument holds no water. If you choose to not accept the fact that evolution is the function by which animals diversify, that's your decision. It doesn't make the "theory" less viable.
Which brings us to the verbiage of science. The word "theory" is a major stumbling block. Yes, evolution is "just a theory," as long as you understand the scientific use of the word "theory." A theory is the end of the scientific process. It's a workable definition that applies to reality. Other examples of theories on par with evolution include gravity, planetary orbits, germ theory of disease (the idea that bacteria, fungi, parasites, viruses and other microorganisms cause illness in humans), thermodynamics, etc. Evolution has been so well established, it boggles the mind that so many people still think it's "just a theory," especially when they don't understand precisely what that means.
Anyway, all that aside, the real reason evolution has trouble getting into schools is religious groups. They seem to think that Creationism (aka Intelligent Design**) should be given as much time in science class as evolution so that students can "make up their own mind" about scientific fact. I wonder, should students be taught similarly about gravity? Perhaps using the Peter Pan theory of gravitation, that states with fairy dust and happy thoughts, gravity is immaterial. Evolution is not something you can have an opinion about, nor is it remotely equivalent to the biblical story (or any religious or mythical story) of creation. It should be taught in schools as what it is; An established scientific fact. If the religious feel that their children should be taught "the other side" of this situation, nothing prevents them from teaching creationism/intelligent design in Sunday school or at home.
For some light closing, I present some of America's representation to other countries in the form of the video that incited me to write this. No, these aren't elected officials, nor are they scientists, nor reputed for being particularly bright people. They are 15 contestants in the Miss USA Pageant answering the question, "Should evolution be taught in schools?"*** One of them "represents" my state, Idaho, and is an idiot. Pretty idiot, but an idiot nonetheless. The frustrating thing is, some of them got so close to saying something that made some scientific sense, but tripped at the finish line. Please to enjoy, catch you later.
*Also humans did not evolve from monkeys, we share a common ancestor. Subtle, but important, difference which explains the standard question asked of why monkeys are still around.
*For more information on this scientific theory, see The Bible, specifically Genesis.
**Correct answers I would have accepted, "Yes," or "Of course, it's a scientific theory, it should be in science class."
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