Editor,
I am writing in response to the recent letters heaping praise on the pseudoscientific concept of creationism. Statements such as, "I believe creationism is just as much a theory as evolution, and it should be valued as such" are evidence that science education is in desperate need of attention.
To prove my point, I believe a little thought experiment is in order. Suppose for a brief moment creationism was on par with the theory of evolution. Suppose there actually is science in the statement, "Everything in the universe is intelligently designed." What would the implications be of such a situation?
The concept of God, previously purely theological, would now be subject to the enormous scrutiny that scientific concepts must undergo every single day. This perusal of an otherwise untouched field would bring about empirical questions, such as, "Can the power of prayer actually have an effect on the health of a person?" or, "What would the properties of divine matter be?" Neither of these questions would be beyond the scope of science if they were on par with evolution. Testing would follow these questions, and what would be found? Nothing conclusive.
Experiment is the necessary condition for evidence, and evidence is a necessary condition for conclusion. Since our beginnings, we have been seeking to vindicate our belief in the existence of God, but to no avail. Thus far, we can only cower in the thin shell that protects our inherently untouchable beliefs. This is why I usually concede that science and religion exist on entirely different planes.
Evolution has faced scathing criticism for the last century and a half. It has survived years of laboratory tests, verification, perversion and attempts by religious people worldwide to bring it down in the name of this God of creation. And creationism, in turn, has evolved itself with time. It is only when it masquerades as science that I treat it as such.
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Once the evidence is laid out, it becomes quite obvious that nothing from any form of creation can actually be considered a valid argument in its favor. One does not have to look very deep to realize the two subjects are mutually exclusive as long as society keeps them that way. So I have a proposal to make of those who would rather not see their fragile beliefs torn to shreds by an indiscriminate scientific machine: Keep your religion out of my science, and I shall keep my science out of your religion. And if you would care to know what a proper theory actually is, I would invite you to come to a discussion by the UNM Humanist Society at 4:30 p.m. Friday in the SUB's Lobo Lair.
David Gonzalez
UNM student
