SMALL EVOLUTION DECISION BRINGS BIG FLAP

A dustup over the teaching of evolution in Kansas received national attention earlier this month. The Kansas State Board of Education, by a 6-4 vote, approved a set of standards that makes no reference to evolution, the theory that humans evolved from earlier species over millions of years.

Note that the school board didn't ban the teaching of evolution in Kansas schools, nor did they even recommend such an action. The newly drafted standards -- which are suggestions only -- are simply silent on the subject. The decision essentially leaves current state policy on the teaching of evolution unchanged: Local school officials decide for themselves whether to teach the theory.

The overreaction from some quarters -- notably from certain liberal newspaper editorials and other media commentators -- has been nearly hysterical. This overreaction is characteristic of the sheer panic that sweeps what might be called the Church of Evolution -- itself a rather peculiar variety of secular faith -- whenever it is pointed out that the available facts as yet don't support this still-unproven theory. Indeed, the fact that it is still a theory nearly a century and a half after Charles Darwin first stated his hypothesis tells us much.

One other point: As long as we have monopoly-financed public schools from which there is no escape without financial penalty, there will be this kind of conflict over whatever values are taught in those public schools. This is another powerful argument for greater freedom for parents to choose whatever schools suit them.

Certainly any educated person should be acquainted with the theory of evolution. We have no problem with the teaching of the theory evolution in public schools, as long as it is presented fairly and objectively with due deference to all the facts and to opposing views. This live-and-let-live attitude is what used to be called a healthy respect for views not one's own -- a respect born of humility. That last is a commodity of which critics of the Kansas board's action could use a little dose.