Factual Beliefs About Evolution

[Doug Laycock]

        Eugene hypothesizes that those who oppose the teaching of evolution
in the schools might believe that evolution is factually wrong.  Of course
they do!  Their conclusion may be based on careful probing of gaps in the
evidence, a literal reading of Genesis, or some combination.  But their
conclusion always includes the factual conclusion that evolution is not true.

        While we generally do and should look to scientists to decide
questions of science, we vest power in legislatures to enact laws, and they
are surely not forbidden to act on their own factual beliefs.  So the
legitimate reasons for acting (factual beliefs) and the illegitimate ones
(religious beliefs) may be so closely connected that they differ only in label.


Douglas Laycock
University of Texas Law School
727 E. Dean Keeton St.
Austin, TX  78705
        512-471-3275 (voice)
        512-471-6988 (fax)
        dlaycock at mail.law.utexas.edu