After centuries of religious certitude that the Bible was the absolute word of God – and thus divine – about 300 years ago the first doubts as to its origin surfaced. Since that time, it has become generally agreed that its contents were the work of man, which casts serious doubt as to its divinity. If this is true, then questions as to its fallibility seem in order.

At the coffee shop this week, the professor, Lucius Flatley, took up this subject by addressing the debate over evolution versus creationism. He said he “lacked affection” for the biblical version of world history. He felt that creationism was an insult to reason and common sense, but he did argue that there are some beliefs on which the two sides agree. Principles based on observation and deduction are well nigh universal among human beings, and many religionist beliefs are no different from those used by scientists. Earliest man – whether children of Adam, or rock-worshippers in Australia – agreed that snakes were dangerous to health and peace of mind. They also agreed that fire was a great benefit and comfort to people, but must be handled carefully.

The scientist reasons that facts are produced by observation, induction; the religionist concludes that truth is to be found among the words of King James’ hired hands. In view of the fact that it was written generations after the events it describes, by people who lived in a different country and spoke a different language, using long-repeated oral tales, how can this book be infallible? If people today read the book in the Greek in which it first appeared, or translate it themselves from fragments of the original Hebrew and Aramaic, they could not reasonably accept it as literal truth.

While religionist folks refuse to expose their own book to logic or reason, even the most devout Mississippi fundamentalist would question the “divinity” of books of another religion (like the Koran or the Hindu Rigveda).

The rub comes today when religionists assert that science from fossil and physical records is not nearly as good as the holy book. Evolution, they say, is disproved by Scripture. However, while fundamentalist Christians are not likely to give up their beliefs in the near future, time yields hope. For instance, the Christian leaders who rejected Galileo’s telescopic observations were not being completely irrational; little was understood at the time about telescopes. But now, with an understanding of this magic instrument of science, the pope and his outriders concede that the earth does in fact revolve around the sun. It took a few centuries, but what the heck. Hopefully, as more and more scientific evidence accumulates, the two sides can progress toward accommodation.

But the flames of ignorance and superstition still flicker dangerously in the ashes of stupidity. The state of Texas – and apparently some Republican candidates for the presidency – considers evolution to be detailed schedules arranged through divine supervision, as they believe in an ocean cruise by several millions of breeding pairs on a boat less than 400-feet long. And what’s worse, they want this nonsense taught in public schools. Darwin was either a fake or misled by Satan! Evolution is a false belief!

The Greek skeptics gave up on a standard for the truth. They concluded that knowledge is an illusion.

America can do better.

Definition of the week

Education: 1) A means of deadening the curiosity of the young; 2) In some states, a type of Pavlovian conditioning to disperse prejudice and misinformation approved by politicians.

Rodney Quinn, a former Maine secretary of state, lives in Westbrook. He can be reached at rquinn@maine.rr.com.