To the editor:

Intelligent design theorists are infiltrating the public with inaccurate assumptions about evolutionary theory. The misconceptions advocated in the views of “IDs” deserve to be addressed and understood.

The common day use of “theory” that could be used implying “idea” seems to be the overriding sentiment when followed by “fact.” This is exactly a theory in the sense that it is supported by all evidence available. A fact is a theory that is supported by all the evidence. “Theory” can be stringently limited to precise data and can vary to more loosely gathered proof, but qualified scientists refer to a theory as a testable hypothesis that has been tested repeatedly by different researchers, using different methods and various ways to prove the hypothesis. Until the theory is falsified, it will hold up to be true. And creationists have yet to offer any credible evidence that the evolutionary theory can be falsified.

In no way is natural selection “random” or “undirected.” Natural selection occurs to improve a species’ survival and reproduction capabilities and it happens through a very complex systematic occurrence of mutations. The fossil record is not complete, but the gaps have been closing with consistent findings. Major groups of living things cannot just appear. That is a point that Darwin has been referred to time and time again.

Fundamentalists dismiss evolutionary theory as an unreliable notion with faulty arguments. If these “IDs” have their way, separation of church and state will be a thing of the past and religion will be released into the science curriculum.

Jayme A. Aschemeyer,

Lawrence