Billy Hallowell over at Glenn Beck's The Blaze posted an article today with the headline: Creationists
Dealt Major Blow in Battle Over Evolutionary Content in Texas Biology Textbooks. The article begins thusly:
The battle over evolution and creationism in public schools forges on. And in Texas, where some social conservatives have advocated for a more balanced approach to the study of life’s origins, it seems creationists may be in for major disappointment.
Notice that social conservatives are merely asking for 'balance'; how could that be unreasonable? The answer is simple: the type of balance they'd like is not balance at all as it is appropriate to the discipline of biology. Scientists and sciences are responsible for reviewing/regulating the methods appropriate to their respective fields. In general, the scientific method includes the collection of empirical data, testing through observable experimentation and the formulation of hypotheses and predictions that can be so tested. Creationism conforms to none of these methodological requirements. Within evolutionary biology two scientists may disagree on the importance of alleles in replication or Dawkins' notion of the 'selfish gene'. And these sorts of disputes can (and perhaps should--depending on the level of education) be included in biology textbooks. That, however, is because both sides may be discussed within the confines of the methodology appropriate to the sciences. Creationism should be taught in schools (even secular, public schools) in classes on religion, history, philosophy. That represents balance.
