AdamHWeek6

The Scopes Trial was how traditionalists decided to exert their power in the United States. The Traditionalists, led by William Jennings Bryan, passed laws in fifteen states which banned the teaching of evolution. They wanted to protect their core beliefs from change. A group of leaders in Dayton, TN decided a trial regarding the new law would bring lots of press to the town. The ACLU had promised to pay legal cost for anyone who fought the law. They found a teacher who was willing to stand up and tell the state that there was no way to teach biology and not mention evolution. The textbook that the state required to use had evolution in it.

Francis Collins and I share the belief that science and religion can coexist. He believes that “science illuminates the work and language of God.” Reading the Amazon description for the book Collins recently wrote about God and religion, he says accepts that "a common ancestor for humans and mice is virtually inescapable.” His reason for being able to believe in God and evolution is because genetic code is “God’s instruction manual.” This is a completely acceptable idea that allows him to practice Christianity and also be America’s highest ranking scientist at the NIH. Collins realizes that in order to keep his job and promote coexistence between religion and science, he must keep them completely separate while he leads the NIH.

Schools and the government don’t need to teach intelligent design, but shouldn’t try and convince people that it’s incorrect. If someone believes in intelligent design, chances are they’ve gone through Sunday school as a child in a church. Evolution should be presented with only the facts and no bias. There is lots of fossil proof that humans looked very similar to apes long ago. Put the idea out and let people choose what they want. Teach it like we teach politics in school, putting the core values of conservatives and liberals out in the open.