Science museums that refuse to show movies featuring evolutions should be renamed

According to the NY Times, some science museums are refusing to show movies that mention controversial topics, such as evolution or the Big Bang They should be ashamed to call themselves science musuems.

Scientific theories, such as the theory of evolution, and the theory of the Big Bang, are not just nice stories made up by a bunch of desert-dwelling sheep herders. They are hypotheses put forward to explain observational evidence. When observational evidence appears that doesn’t fit a theory, the theory gets adjusted. If the evidence contradicts the theory enough, a new theory will end up replacing it (which is how the theory of the Big Bang replaced the old steady-state theory of the universe). This is the essence of the scientific method.

Don’t like a theory? Come up with a new one. If it explains the facts, then it’s a candidate. The problem here is that a theory along the lines of “God caused it to be the way it is” is bad science: it makes no attempt at prediction. Even if it is right, it’s still bad science – a scientific theory in this area would explain how God caused it be the way it is: what mechanism was used, and so forth. “God caused it to be the way it is” is outside the realm of science – not in opposition to science, just not relevant.

Author: Robert Watkins

My name is Robert Watkins. I am a software developer and have been for over 20 years now. I currently work for people, but my opinions here are in no way endorsed by them (which is cool; their opinions aren’t endorsed by me either). My main professional interests are in Java development, using Agile methods, with a historical focus on building web based applications. I’m also a Mac-fan and love my iPhone, which I’m currently learning how to code for. I live and work in Brisbane, Australia, but I grew up in the Northern Territory, and still find Brisbane too cold (after 22 years here). I’m married, with two children and one cat. My politics are socialist in tendency, my religious affiliation is atheist (aka “none of the above”), my attitude is condescending and my moral standing is lying down. View all posts by Robert Watkins