Here is a a well-formed argument to combat the anti-science crowd. There is still hope for Kansas!
The article:
Bukaty: ‘Cosmos’ doesn’t have to humor creationists
If you don’t have a TV, you’re weird. But undoubtedly you’re also missing one of the great new series this spring. “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” is a 13-part, science documentary series that airs Sunday nights on FOX. Narrated by Neil deGrasse Tyson, the show explores a handful of scientific theories that explain the workings of our universe. A reboot of the 1980 TV series presented by Carl Sagan, “Cosmos” is intensely interesting and entertaining. If you haven’t yet, watch it.
Amazingly enough, a documentary that talks entirely about science caused an uproar with the airing of its second episode, titled, “Some of the Things That Molecules Do.” The episode aired Sunday, March 16, and presented an explanation of evolution and the origin of life. A science documentary explaining a scientific theory — how shocking.
Creationist groups are furious, with some even demanding equal airtime to explain their own “theory” of the origin of life on Earth. Now look, I don’t want to get in a debate over creationism versus evolution, frankly because I don’t want to have to explain freshmen-level science to someone who writes an angry letter to the UDK. This is America after all, and you’re entirely free to believe whatever you want, even if you’re completely wrong.
The issue here is much more simple — why should the creators, financiers and producers of Cosmos devote airtime to an idea they don’t believe in? Tyson recently criticized the media for even considering the idea, reminding us that in science, there are no fair and balanced views. This is science, not CNN. Some people are right; some people are wrong. The theories adapt, humanity progresses, and hopefully soon we’ll have hoverboards. That’s how science works.
If only creationists could understand. See, it’s not up to “Cosmos” to provide a fair and balanced view. If creationists want to create their own documentary series titled, “Genesis: A Biblical Odyssey,” that’s entirely their prerogative. It could explore the handful (literally, one hand’s worth) of biblical theories that explain the workings of our universe. I probably wouldn’t watch it, but I’m sure some people in Kansas would.
So to the creationists out there complaining — it’s not Neil deGrasse Tyson’s job to adapt his program. Evolutionists have “Cosmos,” where they present their explanation of proven, testable theories of science. Creationists have the Creation Museum, located in scenic Petersburg, Ky., where they present explanations of their beliefs. Naturally, consumers will select one or the other.
