The Monkeys

The monkeys are back, but where is Scopes? The New York Times is running a story today in their education section about an impending court battle regarding the teaching of evolution in a Cobb County, GA school district. The school district has placed stickers in their biology textbooks stating that evolution is a “theory.” Creationists in the district just want equal footing for “creationism” arguing that evolution is purely disputed science and therefore should not be taught as a scientific fact.

Having been taught in private Catholic schools I thought that maybe I could see their point of view. But Catholics don’t generally believe in the strict reading of the bible, and can readily accept God creating the universe and earth without having to actually accomplish this feat is the biblical timeline of six days.

The whole debate may seem like a minor point, seriously how important is the teaching of evolution? In the long run does it matter what people think about how man came into being? Is this really an earth shattering issue? Should we spend time and money debating it? The simple and obvious answer is no. This issue has little to no bearing on life today. However, let’s look beyond the obvious. Let’s look a little deeper. Look where this may lead. Sure education is a local issue, and maybe local people have a right to determine where and what their children learn. But where does it end. There are some in the United States who don’t believe the Holocaust happen. Do we allow them to attack stickers to history books stating that we only think the Holocaust is a theory? There are others who do not believe that all people are created equally. Do they get to edit copies of the Declaration of Independence so their children don’t have to learn that theory?

Is there ever been a better reason for a set of national standards for education? Do we need more reason? Other industrialized nations have national standards, why not us? Global competition is only getting heating up. America’s primary advantage has always been two things freedom of choice and thought, and a superior education system. These advantages are eroding now and it is time to stop while we can. Put the monkeys back where they belong.