Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinions, but not his or her own facts. Nearly 33 percent of the American population — and yes, we are talking 2014 here — does not believe in evolution.
Why is this so harmful, you may ask? Because although we still technically refer to evolution as a theory, it is the most scientifically accepted explanation for how life on Earth has operated for billions of years.
Evolution, by definition, is a process of slow change and development over time. Scientists will argue which definition is the most correct, but, for our intents and purposes, let’s stick with this one. Generally, the principle of evolution holds that as time progresses, organisms will need to meet a certain standard of survival criteria, for example, accessibility of food or how vulnerable the organism is to predation.
Those individuals who cannot meet this standard will die off while the so-called victors will survive and procreate, perpetually donating their awesome DNA to the living gene pool. Over a long period of time, the physical and genealogical makeup is altered, showing us gradual differences in appearance.
Contrary to popular belief, we are not chimpanzees, but we share a common ancestor with them — along with 98.8 percent of our DNA. That 1.2 percent difference between us accounts for 35 million differences. The most apparent of these may include walking upright, larger brains and the ability to speak.
And although I wasn’t there, there was not a moment at the beginning of time where modern humans were simply dropped onto this Earth alongside fruit-bearing trees and gliding gazelles already prepackaged and ready to go. Everything that exists today is a product of evolution. Humans, dinosaurs, mosquitoes and that coral you stand on when you go in the ocean, all evolved from single-celled organisms.
There’s a part of me that wants to say everyone can believe whatever he or she wants to believe, but the truth of it is, the study of evolution spans religions, cultures and belief systems. Which leads me to my last argument.
The one-third of Americans who don’t believe in evolution may feel this way because of their allegiance to God and intelligent design. There is a modern stigma that you either have to only believe in science or only believe in religion. This is not true.
Evolution should not be seen as a barrier to religious beliefs. Belief systems are not dichotomous, but rather spectrums. Science and religion can coexist. You can still believe in the Divine and also be a supporter of science. Nobody has the right to take your religion away from you. Just be sure you don’t develop ignorance to the progressing world. And if you do not believe in a religion, then let those who do, be.
Whether you believe in God or the Flying Spaghetti Monster, my advice is to remain educated and to respect every individual’s viewpoint.
I think it’s far past the time that our viewpoints on this issue should have evolved. Wouldn’t you agree?
Rachel Kalisher is a UF anthropology and classics junior. Her columns appear on Tuesdays. A version of this column ran on page 7 on 1/21/2014 under the headline "Science and religion can coexist"
