At first blush, it may seem reasonable that a state agency remain neutral on the subject of evolution vs intelligent design as an explanation for life on earth. However, this is a question of science.

If somebody were to assert, with all of his friends, that there is no law of gravity, and that what appears to be gravity is really a magic trick by the god Baal, should an education department remain neutral? The Baalists have their opinion, and scientists have their opinion and both opinions are equal to one another, and deserve equal treatment.

One does this with politics. One does that with religion. But science doesn't work that way. If we want to settle a question of science, one does it with science. If he wants to teach something else, he should do that in his church, not through government. Deciding on a scientific issue is not like deciding to be a Baptist or a Methodist, a Republican or a Democrat, and we should not allow it to become like that.

So an elected official wants to satisfy a segment of his constituency, and tells the agency to hunker down and keep a low profile. Problem is, the department doesn't belong to him. He is merely entrusted with its operation, in a legal and constitutional manner. Catering to religious extremists is not a legal nor constitutional part of his duties.

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If you will read the Catholic Encyclopedia article on The Inquisition, (1910) you will see that it says that on the whole, the inquisition was a good thing.

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