There are still remnants of paper stuffed in Corey Davila’s trash can from Wednesday morning.
After reading creationist author Ray Comfort’s introduction tacked onto the thousands of copies of Charles Darwin’s “On the Origin of Species” distributed near Turlington Plaza, he described his reaction as instinctual.
“I ripped them out,” the UF women’s studies freshman said in reference to Comfort’s 49-page introduction. “It’s still a perfectly good book, just without the introduction.”
The introduction criticized evolution, describing Darwin’s theory as racist and sexist.
Charles Baer, an assistant professor in UF’s department of biology, countered the criticisms and urged students to consider the historical context of Darwin’s theory.
“I would say read the origins first, then read the rebuttal,” he said. “Read it in chronological order.”
Bridge-Logos Foundation, a nonprofit publishing company based in Alachua, published about 170,000 copies of the book, according to Shawn Myers, a representative of the foundation.
Myers said the book, which is valued at $4.99, was originally restricted to students.
After it gained widespread national interest, it was made available on Amazon.com.
She said the foundation has received mixed feedback.
In one e-mail directed at the publishing company, a UF student wrote, “Giving this book out on college campuses is an offense to the intelligence of the next generation of leaders and a dangerous placement of deceitful propaganda.”
In another e-mail, a local business owner wrote, “You created a big stir, which is exactly what is needed.”
Myers wasn’t surprised.
“It’s pretty funny because we really never see anyone in between,” she said. “It’s completely bias(ed) either one way or the other.”
As the 150th anniversary of “On the Origin of Species” approaches, Davila said he recognized the rocky foundation of this issue.
“I do believe in evolution, but I don’t believe that just because I believe in evolution, I can’t believe life was created by a higher power,” Davila said. “I believe life was initiated by a higher being, but science and evolution — there’s just too much proof.”
