Evolution in Cobb County, GA

Another front in the ongoing battle between supporters of science and their opponents is taking place in Cobb County, GA. Last week, stickers placed on science text books indicating that evolution is a theory or origin rather than a fact were removed by court order. The court order comes as a result of a law suit by some in the county alleging the "disclaimers violated the principle of the separation of church and state." The disclaimer read

This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered.

I have two questions on this.

First, how could anyone object to the disclaimer? Evolution is a scientific theory to explain the origins of life. It is not a fact. As with all theories, evolution should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully, and critically considered. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this disclaimer.

Second, how could this possibly be a violation of the separation of church and state? Where is religion mentioned? Now, I understand that the stickers have most likely come about due to the lobbying of conservative Christian groups who think they are somehow undermining the theory of evolution by calling it a theory. They are doing the right thing but out of ignorance rather than understanding. Be that as it may, there is nothing religious about this disclaimer. This is not endorsing a religious view like intelligent design. The disclaimer simply expresses a correct understanding of science, whether that was the lobbyists' intent or not.

This is a perfect example of what I have said before, namely that both sides in this battle are taking highly questionable stands. One crowd thinks it is supporting science education by rejecting a disclaimer that would help properly understand science. The other thinks it is undermining science education by calling for a disclaimer that helps to properly understand it. This "battle" is just plain silly.