To the editor:

Jacob Taves [Letters, August 12] asks, "Why is the theory of evolution
learned in school?"

The answer is simple:  evolution is the best current scientific
explanation for the diversity of life as we see it today.  Evolution is
supported by a vast array of evidence from independent fields:  by the
fossil record, by comparative anatomy and cladistics, and by the
biomolecular evidence.  As the eminent biologist (and, by the way,
practicing Christian) Theodosius Dobzhansky once said, "Nothing in
biology makes sense except in light of evolution."

On the other hand, so-called "scientific" creationism is not taught in
biology classes because there is no evidence for it.  Indeed, there is
abundant evidence against the literalist Biblical claim that the earth
is only 10,000 years old.  Teaching creationism in school would be
like teaching that the earth is flat:  both are false, and both
are accepted only by fundamentalists.

Thankfully, most intelligent Christians accept the biological theory of
evolution as valid.  That is why such organizations as the General
Convention of the Episcopal Church, the Lutheran Church, the
Unitarian-Universalist Association, the United Methodist Church, the
United Presbyterian Church, and the United Church of Christ have all
signed statements in support of evolution.

Jeffrey Shallit
Kitchener
[Note: the text above is what I submitted. The letter they printed was a badly chopped-up, inaccurate, and poorly phrased edited version. But that's the Record for you.]