Evolution is a theory of an ongoing process. Evolution has more to do with survival of the fittest than the beginning of all life. Some say that evolution is the theory that lightning struck salt water, forming amino acids, the building blocks for life. This was proven possible in an experiment in the 1950s.

Although that is part of the theory, it is not all. Let’s say that out of a very isolated group of birds, a few have longer beaks than the others. There is a famine. Only the longer-beaked birds survive. When these birds reproduce, their offspring will have longer beaks, too. From then on, all of the birds have long beaks. There you have it. Evolution. These small changes take millions of years. But then again, how long has there been life on earth? Millions of years.

Evolution is purely scientific. Creationism and intelligent design are religious. In a private religious school, there is nothing wrong with teaching these “theories.” In a public school, it is not acceptable. Public schools must be an environment where students of all religions can learn. Public schools cannot have an organized, mandatory, religious practice of any kind. Teaching creationism or “intelligent design” would violate this.

Let’s say that there is a student in math class. He comes from a religion that believes that 1+1=3. We are not going to teach that along with, or instead of 1+1=2 just because this sheltered child has a problem with it. He can choose to accept it or not.

Science is universal. Fundamentalist Christianity is not.

Dwayne LaForce is a sophomore at Free State High School.