A lot has been made of the Kansas Board of Education’s recent decision to remove the teaching of evolution from required science curriculum.

Apparently, the good people of the board want to emphasize that evolution is only one theory of how the world began.

Now, some people have the idea that Kansas will now be teaching creationism, which is not true. The Supreme Court has outlawed the teaching of creationism as a scientific theory because, well, it’s not a scientific theory.

But I do think it’s safe to say that they are trying to move somewhere in that direction. By de-emphasizing evolution study, they are suggesting that people should again look to the Bible for their answers.

This whole episode is just the latest example that science and religion are not the best bedfellows. And how can they be?

Science uses empirical data based on observation to explain our universe.

Religion or mysticism, on the other hand, is entirely based on belief in otherworldly forces that we are incapable of understanding.

I’m a firm believer that these two world views are mutually exclusive. There’s no way that science will ever prove or disprove religion, and vice versa.

And for thousands of years, a religious view of the world has dominated people’s thinking. Only very recently has the scientific view become so popular and pervasive.

So, it’s only natural that strong proponents of the religious would feel a little threatened. But if the two views are mutually exclusive, they don’t necessarily challenge each other at all.

Scientific truth has become the highest form of truth.

As soon as someone offers scientific evidence against a particular belief, holding that belief become highly looked down upon by the masses.

But if someone truly has faith in their convictions, especially their religious convictions, they do have the option of not believing the scientific “truth.”

Of course, to completely ignore the discipline of science is ludicrous and impossible. Scientific methodology and discoveries govern so much of our day-to-day lives, escape is impossible. But science, like anything else, is capable of overstepping its reach.

Take medical science. During recent years, the field of medicine has ventured into many arenas where it may have no ability to help.

Problems such as alcoholism and chronic abusiveness, previously considered character flaws, are now considered medically treatable conditions.

For Christ’s sake, even hair loss and wrinkles are now purported to be curable through scientific discovery.

I’m sure that the top scientists at the Pond’s Institute are responsible for some great scientific breakthroughs, but I still think their ability to smooth out your crow’s feet is in question.

Granted, that is an obvious example of questionable or bad science, but it is a good example that just because something says it’s scientific doesn’t mean it’s necessarily true, and you shouldn’t believe everything just because it was proven scientifically.

I have no problem with questioning science, why do all these Christian fundamentalists?

So, little Johnny and Debbie get slapped with a little evolution at school. At home and at Sunday school, mom and dad can throw all kinds of creation in their face.

Then comes the important part, when Johnny and Debbie decide what they want to believe. Maybe they go Jesus, maybe they go Darwin, but whatever they choose, at least it’s an educated choice, made after hearing facts from both sides.

The only way anyone’s faith can have any strength is if it’s tested. And I’m not just talking about religious beliefs.

Of course, scientific law comes pre-tested, but that doesn’t mean that we still shouldn’t question.

But for religious leaders to hide scientific evidence is truly ludicrous. It’s like the parents who won’t let their kids listen to “Satanic” music.

If the kids’ beliefs are so weak that Glen Danzig can sway them, then they didn’t truly have any faith in the first place.

So, until one can disprove the other, which will never happen, science and religion need to agree to disagree, and somehow accommodate each other.

I said earlier that the two are mutually exclusive, and I stand by that. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t look to one for some of our answers and the other for others.

There are plenty of scientists in the world who also consider themselves Christians. They believe certain phenomena can be explained by science, while for others they turn to faith.

I’m sure there are plenty of logicians who say that this is ludicrous. But what about human nature isn’t ludicrous?

Give children a chance to hear every side of the story, no matter how stupid it may seem to you. Then, when they make their decision, don’t look down on them if it’s different from your own.

Live and let live, baby.

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Ben Godar is a senior in sociology from Ames. He may have been an ape, but don’t worry ladies. He’s all man now.