To the editor:

In 1999, during an earlier round in the evolution controversy, Dr. Huston Smith made an interesting proposal. Smith is a distinguished philosopher and historian of world religions. While acknowledging the many achievements of evolutionary science, he observed that a great deal of work remains to be done. Smith suggested, therefore, “that, at the first class meeting of every course dealing with evolution, teachers distribute a handout that would read something like this: ‘This is a course in science, and as your instructor it is my responsibility to teach you what science has empirically discovered about the mechanisms by which life emerged and has developed on this planet. We scientists are convinced that we know an important part of that story, and I will do my best to inform you of it. However, there is so much that we still do not know that plenty of room remains for you to fill in the gaps with your own philosophic or religious convictions'” (Smith, Why Religion Matters, p. 164).

The State Board of Education has no business mandating the teaching of “creationism” or “intelligent design” in the public schools. This is poor science and unconstitutional to boot. On the other hand, religious people have reason to be concerned about the way in which evolution is taught and the inferences which are sometimes drawn from it. Smith’s proposal might be a way forward. Perhaps the board could recommend his statement, or something like it, to local school districts for their consideration.

John C. English,

Baldwin