I Made a Mistake...on Darwin

In my article Teachers Debate Teaching Creationism I wrote that Charles Darwin said that everyone believed in evolution except "the ignorant, stupid or wicked." Actually it was Richard Dawkins, a Darwin devotee, who said it. I should have double checked to make sure I was right on the quote. It's personally inexcusable, because it's very important to me that my facts are straight. I appreciate the several friendly 'heads up' I received on the misquote.

As would be expected, when writing on a subject like the evolution/creationism debate, I received many not so friendly emails. And I guess several bloggers so disagreed with me that they took the time to write about it, such as Jan Haugland who took the article apart point by point on his blog, Secular Blasphemy. I love it! That means he/they had to read the whole article. One opposing blogger, Andy, even put a link on his blog, The World Wide Rant, for folks to hear my radio show on the subject. Now, that's what I call creative networking! I'm always looking for more listeners :)

What cords did I strike to cause such a 'fever' in some? Why is it so important to so many that Darwin's theory of evolution be guarded? Why fight so hard for the belief that you came from apes? Part of what is going on I think is the resurgence of the consideration of teaching creationism in schools, such as with the Kansas Science hearings earlier this year.

Linda Holloway, Education Specialist for Concerned Women for America reported in Rare Jewel Magazine that pro-evolution scientists and teachers boycotted the hearing, while 24 witnesses for the Minority Report which included 17 scientists testified from the Intelligent Design perspective. If Darwin's theory were proven there would be no need to defend it anymore than there is a need to defend the fact that the earth is round. The debate is not really about science, it's about worldview...and which worldview will dominate in the classroom and in society.

Related:
Who is Richard Dawkins?

© Sharon Hughes 2005


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