Those who favor teaching creationism in our schools often say that evolution is “only a theory, just like creation.” In fact, creation is not a “theory” at all, in scientific terms. A scientific theory is an explanation of a complex phenomenon that is widely accepted as true by the world’s scientific community after broad scientific review, debate and refinement–and is subjected to continuing review, debate and refinement. In the sense that creationists mean it, evolution is not a theory at all, but a complex scientific law. Creation fails to reach even the minimum threshold of scientific credibility necessary to warrant serious consideration as a theory. By arguing that creation and evolution are equally theoretical, creationists expose their ignorance of the scientific process and of what distinguishes scientific knowledge from anybody’s undisciplined fantasizing.
Of course we can’t take creationists seriously when they argue that our schools should teach the same ignorance of scientific process and knowledge. The more immediate question is: How seriously can we take the Tribune, which seems to believe that equal time (and the implied credibility that goes with it) should be given to their patently misguided arguments? Where are the letters from those who think our schools should teach the existence of Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny as “alternate theories”?
