Darwinian Evolution: The faith that cannot be assessed

In an editorial for the Detroit Free Press, Gilbert Omenn and Alan Leshner fear that a single line in legislation to regulate high school education in Michigan "could damage science education, economic progress and even religious freedom."

The horribly dangerous line:

"use relevant scientific data to assess the validity of those theories and to formulate arguments for and against those theories."

Lions and tigers and bears. Oh my!

Telling students to use science to test theories is that dangerous? Come on. Faith in Darwinian evolution has become so strong that its proponents don't want it assessed, even with relevant scientific data.

Omenn and Leshner also provide one enormous untruth when they claim that evolution "explains today's diverse life forms, as well as the fossil record." Really? I guess Omenn and Leshner don't want to mention the problems that the Cambrian explosion causes for Darwinian evolution.

They then go on to equate using scientific data to assess the validity of theories with covering "one religion in school."

In his counterpoint editorial, state representative Brian Palmer notes, "Some claim, and it is a very small minority, that HB 5606 attempts to undermine evolution. A plain reading of the text shows that all that is required under the science section is that a part of the new science curriculum include, at a minimum, instruction in the scientific method.....Further, the bill does not require that any particular scientific theory be taught or not taught. I do not believe that to be the purview of the Legislature. These are decisions that are best made by educators and school boards. It is also worth noting that a provision in the legislation, one that mirrors existing assessment law, contains very clear language directing the Department of Education to ensure the content standards are 'values-neutral.'"