By Michael Opitz

Let’s start with the basics in several educational disciplines. First let’s look at Civics.  The separation of church and state is not found in the U.S. Constitution.  It is, however, found in the Constitution of the former Soviet Union.  U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer has publicly lobbied the point that because the U.S. is part of the world community; they (members of the Supreme Court) must use other constitutions and international laws as input to arrive at their decisions.  There are other justices on the Supreme Court, and judges throughout the entire federal judiciary who support this expanded view of merging our laws and their rulings into the world community.

Congress would not confirm Federal Court Judges and Supreme Court Justices who subscribe to this world perspective if the judicial nominee had proclaimed that point of view during confirmation before the U.S. Senate.  Therefore, those who support this view are not qualified to sit on the Federal bench now, and congress bears the responsibility of removing them. This is basic Civics, and this subject is embedded in our nation’s history. It is solid subject matter in middle and high school, and the classroom civics discussion yields excellent education.

Let’s now turn to Western Philosophy.  Rene’ Descartes, an early 17th Century French Philosopher, who stands with the major philosophers, did not accept the existence of God.  He found it necessary to logically prove the existence of God. However, before he could prove the existence of God, Descartes first needed to prove that he actually existed; hence the phrase, “Cogito Ergo Sum: I think, therefore I am.”  Because man is flawed, an imperfect flawed being could not possibly conceive of a perfect non-flawed entity, i.e. God, unless God actually existed. Descartes and Western Philosophy has always been part of a classical education.  Is this philosophical study to be excluded from public education?

Now let’s discuss Science.  There are lots of disciplines under science including biology, physics, theoretical physics, chemistry, astronomy and contributing subjects such as mathematics, geology, archeology, etc.  There are also unproven theories under science, many of which are still debated under the view of science such as the Theory of Evolution.  I was taught in my high school science class is that a good theory generates research and discussion.  If it is not a good theory, there is no research and discussion by the academic communities of interest.  Eventually the theory is falls into disrepute or it is proven to be a “Law of Fact.”

Now we have a federal court case involving the teaching and discussion of “Intelligent Design.”  The essence of which is: All life is complex that it could have not had happened by chance and there is a Force that has caused universal creation.  The Anti-God forces are protesting that “Intelligent Design” is a gateway for the teaching of religion.   So let’s discuss the highest and most prestigious of all intellectual scientific thought and that which affects all of us today. E=MC(2), Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, the basic concept of the atomic and hydrogen bomb.  Some aspects of this theory have become acceptable and provable physical “Law of Fact.”  Complex stuff, but some aspects can be discussed in Middle and High school. Let’s attempt to address the high points.

Evolution is still a theory with limited archaeological proof and no evidence of an evolving creature in current human history.  There is no genetic link that connects us with Neanderthals.  That is fact. However, the Theory of Evolution has a place in the classroom.  Evolution is not yet “Law of Fact.”  It is still a theory.

“Intelligent Design” is also a theory.  The primary argument is biologically based using a logical thought process to discuss the extraordinary complexity of life even at a cellular level come that life happening by chance is impossible.  This is a good theory because it meets the criteria described earlier.  It is not yet “Law of Fact.”

There is yet still another view that has had no or limited discussion within the view of “Intelligent Design.”  The foundation of this point is found under the Theory of Relativity. Research scientists have been seeking a comprehensive explanation for a “Unified Field Theory.”  Quantum Mechanics, the study of the very small has been evolving the Quantum Theory for the past several decades.  The following is the current view of this theory, and it is supported by a large number of major theoretical physicists.

Energy and matter are interchangeable.  That is proven and accepted scientific fact.   Atoms are comprised of electrons, protons and neutrons, which comprise the nucleus.  Moving deeper, the components of the atom are comprised of quarks that are very small particles, with properties of both energy and matter, and move very fast.  They seem to behave differently when they are observed verses when they are not observed, based on predictability.  This point is moving beyond our discussion and is the subject of a different writing.

Quarks are comprised of energy strings of various length, tensions and vibrational frequencies.  This is called “String Theory.”  Depending on the vibration frequency and other aspects of the of these energy strings, they can result in formation of all the atoms listed on the atomic chart we studied in high school chemistry.   Therefore, the basic construct of matter is energy.  Remember that Einstein stated that matter and energy are interchangeable, and the atomic bomb proves that point.

Our whole universe at its most basic level is composed of energy, which forms matter in all of its wondrous constructs including us. The matter in the universe is an illusion based upon energy formation of sub-atomic structures.  That gives rise to the question of “what is the essence of this energy that holds everything together in perfect synchronization?” How can this energy be random and yet possess developed physical properties that are bound by physical laws?  For some, there is an answer; we can call it an Intelligent Force, The Creator, The Designer, The Originator or God.   These concepts are based on accepted Laws of Fact generating sound theories that are being researched by our best and brightest scientists throughout the world.  However, “String Theory” remains an evolving theory, but it is a valid topic for scientific education and discussion in public schools.

Now answer the question, is “Intelligent Design” a religion and should that subject be taught in public schools?  If not, we can understand how Galileo may have felt when those who put politics above knowledge controlled his science.  It is now centuries later and the Anti-God people want to limit thought and freedom of speech to protect their point of view, and they do so by distorting the U.S. Constitution and relying other countries’ Constitutions while not being intellectually honest with us.  Limiting educational perspectives fails in providing quality learning resulting in an incomplete education for our Science and Civics classes.

We cannot move forward as a country or civilization if we are to allow those who are filled with fear and hate to limit our exploration for truth and open discussion in public schools.  Understanding creation and our existence requires knowledge.  Religion requires faith.  Science requires understanding.  Where does the Creator fit?  Class dismissed.