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Creating something from nothing, or maybe the other way around

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Wednesday October 20, 2004

Creationism vs. Evolution vs. Censorship

Life

Grand Canyon Here's a good situation to test your values:

The Bush administration, by virtue of non-action, has recently allowed a book by Tom Vail called Grand Canyon: A Different View to be sold by the National Park Service at Grand Canyon museums and bookstores. This book claims that the canyon was created, very quickly, in the aftermath of the Noah's ark flood. Last year, the Grand Canyon National Park Superintendent wanted the book removed from the shelves, but his wishes were overridden. A formal review was planned on whether the book could be sold or not, but it never occurred, so the book stays on the shelves.

Now, I don't put much stock in to the accuracy of that book, and I certainly worry about blurring the lines between the separation of church and state. However, I'm not big on censorship either. It's one thing to beat the "no censorship" drum when a book you believe in is being censored, but how strong are you in your values to fight for a book you don't believe in?

Personally, I think the administration took the coward's way out by postponing and eventually canceling the review meeting. Politicians (all of them) are cowards during election years (and most of the rest of the time, too), but that doesn't justify shirking your responsibilities. If you believe the book should be sold, then say so.

I believe that the book should be sold, because I don't believe in censorship. But they should be sold with a disclaimer posted near them noting the objections from the scientific community. I also wouldn't want this to be seen as a green light for a flood of other creationists books into the national park system (and other federally funded systems). The creationist have a right to their beliefs and a right to be heard, but not the right to push their beliefs in a manner that subverts scientifically proven facts. Their opinions are just that, opinions, and have no weight beyond their own beliefs. They do not have the right to push their beliefs on anyone else with nothing to back up those beliefs. If you want to ignore facts and believe stories told through a 4000 year old game of "telephone" then that's your business. Don't expect me to ignore what my own God-given brain is telling me is right.
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October 20, 2004 11:29 AM PDT Permalink | |

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