Theories, beliefs are very different

Your front-page story on school board candidates’ support of the teaching of creationism in our schools left me reeling. Science allows — insists upon — a path to change our minds in response to newfound facts. When we call an idea a theory, we do not mean that it’s unsupported by facts, only that it is open to modification as new facts emerge. Religion does not offer that same option. It’s a belief. It does not require substantiation; in fact, followers often believe that which might seem unbelievable.

If we now propose that public schools teach their students how God acted while creating the world, whose religious beliefs shall we use — or more precisely, which shall we disallow? Roman Catholic, Mormon, Lutheran, Unitarian, Baptist, Islamic, Jewish? What facts will we use to make that decision? How, and who, will determine which beliefs are valid?

Middle East theocracies serve as a model for governments that rule in the name of religion. Sharia law bases rulings on religious beliefs. Is this really where we want to go?

Diane Friel

Libertyville