So it has come to this. The president nominates a high court judge based on religious beliefs. Religious studies could soon supplant real science in schools under the guise of "intelligent design". Suddenly it feels like we're back in the middle ages. Soon scientists would have to retract centuries of science and pronounce the Sun as the center of universe and the Earth as a flat surface. Big bang theory? Forget it. Earth and everything else was created in six days or whatever length some religious book claims it to be. Okay, I'm exaggerating, but once the door is opened who knows where this process would lead.
These are strange times indeed. From one side the world is under attack by self-righteous terrorists, and from the other by the, well, self-righteous theocrats. In the middle is everything countless numbers of scientists, engineers, and intellectuals have done to enlighten the world. This is nothing new. Religion has always attempted to suppress free thought and expression. The innate desire to understanding ourselves and the universe we live in runs counter to religious dogma. Step out of bounds, and you are accused of heresy.
The other day I was listening to a radio program extolling the virtues of religion. The speaker was trying his utmost to dismiss science because it hasn't addressed so many unanswered questions. Instead the listeners were advised to find their answers in the Bible. I might find such assertions ludicrous, but an impressionable mind might be easily swayed.
No, I am not anti-religion, but I am a staunch believer in the separation of church and state. People should be given the freedom to believe or disbelieve. Picking judges based on their religious views and teaching religion in science courses might be fine in Vatican, but they shouldn't be tolerated in a free society.
religion,intelligent design,supreme court,miers,creationism,bible
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