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Opinion - Fresh Ink

Thursday, Jun. 04, 2009

Don't teach 'theory'

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In response to "Theory is theory, not verified fact" (May 29, Letters), I would like to direct the writer to Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District, the landmark court case which definitively disproved intelligent design.

I would also like to encourage her to look up Kenneth Miller, a devout Catholic and professor of biology at Brown University. He has given several lectures explaining why "intelligent design" is not a theory. This lecture is readily available on YouTube.

Furthermore, the author seems to misunderstand the difference between a "theory" and a "hypothesis." Gravity is a theory, as are light, radioactivity, and evolution. Theories are not wild ideas plucked from nowhere. They are conclusions based on tons and tons of data.

I understand the writer may have strong religious feelings which contradict evolution, but they do not belong in the classroom. It would be analogous to teaching sharia law in American law schools.

Intelligent design is not science, it is a pseudo science akin to astrology, and alchemy, and has no place in classrooms.

MIGUEL DUARTE
Central Valley High School graduate, class of 2009
Ceres