Letters to the Editor
RE: Blinding them with science, Feb. 22I’m afraid I strongly disagree with the views expressed by Sarah Torrens in her opinion column. In it, she argued that evolution should not be taught in K-12 as it may interfere with religious views, especially when presented as the only truth by “an older and presumably wiser individual.”
I offer a complete reversal of the situation. Should religious learning, a private matter specific to certain groups and individuals, interfere with learning in a public institution that affects the majority of the population?
In addition, the teaching of one truth by an older and presumably wiser individual is exactly what occurs in Sunday schools. It appears that there is a double standard to address here.
I have nothing against religion. In fact, I embrace and admire the faith demonstrated by religious individuals. If you are of the opinion, however, that public learning should not interfere with religious teachings I must ask you what makes one superior to the other? What makes one theory acceptable to teach at a young age and one not? I agree that there is an inherent conflict in learning both, but it is preferable to learning one or neither. I agree that faith is an important component of most people’s lives, but I am not asking that Sunday schools stop teaching creationism.
Let science be taught in schools and religion be taught in places of worship, and let neither interfere with the other in its domain. After all, the scientific community does not raise arms in protest over the teaching of creationism in church.
Jorge Fernandez is a sophomore majoring in microbiology.