To the editor:

“What the bigots object to is not the teaching of the theory of evolution, but to the teaching of the facts which support the theory.” — attributed to William Allen White.

The use of “bigot” may be a little harsh. Try substituting “small group of Christian conservatives.” It’s time Kansans quit being intimidated by them.

Most Kansans believe in God. I do. Likewise, most of us can intelligently reconcile our beliefs with obvious reproducible science that tells us the world is more than 6,000 years old, that dinosaurs lived millions of years ago, that species change is a slow evolutionary process obscured by the scale of time, that the high rate of common DNA with other animals does not demean us.

I think White’s words recognize a fear by evolution opponents that acceptance of the facts somehow undermines their faith. It need not. On the contrary, acceptance of known scientific facts strengthens my awe at God’s great universe. I find it absolutely incredible that otherwise intelligent people are letting themselves be badgered by Biblical absolutism into denial of basic science, much less evolution theory, so they won’t be seen as un-Christian. Why otherwise are we afraid to defend science in today’s political climate?

Please, Kansans, stand up and speak out — and vote next time. The only ones talking right now are those with closed minds. Tell your legislators and the state school board, “Stop this charade!” Support teachers who teach science facts and who teach children to think for themselves. It’s obvious a lot of adults are not.

Keith Wood,

Lawrence