What's the matter with Kansas?

As I write, Smirking Chimp has 106 comments on the Reuters article I want to share with you. It is by Carey Gillam and is entitled, "Darwin on trial: Evolution hearings open in Kansas". The more I read the news, the more I am simply incredulous about what is going on in our country. I keep expecting to wake up from this strange dystopian dream but I never do. The nation seems to have been infected with a collective psychosis. Here's what's happening:

A six-day courtroom-style debate opened on Thursday in Kansas over what children should be taught in schools about the origin of life -- was it natural evolution or did God create the world?

The hearings, complete with opposing attorneys and a long list of witnesses, were arranged amid efforts by some Christian groups in Kansas and nationally to reverse the domination of evolutionary theory in the nation's schools.

William Harris, a medical researcher and co-founder of a Kansas group called the Intelligent Design Network, posed the core question about life's beginnings before mapping out why he and other Christians want changes in school curriculum.

School science classes are teaching children that life evolved naturally and randomly, Harris said, arguing that this was in conflict with Biblical teachings that God created life."

They are offering an answer that may be in conflict with religious views," Harris said in opening the debate. "Part of our overall goal is to remove the bias against religion that is currently in schools. This is a scientific controversy that has powerful religious implications."

Evolution is not a scientific controversy. It is indisputably accepted by the vast majority - the overwhelmingly vast majority - of reputable mainstream scientists. It is not accepted by people who are superstitious and simple minded and who do not understand a) the emperical method and b) what the word "theory" means.

Outside the hearing room, outraged scientists challenged the validity of the hearings. "This is a showcase trial," said Jack Krebs, vice president for Kansas Citizens for Science. "They have hijacked science and education."

Ken Schmitz, a University of Missouri/Kansas City chemistry professor attending the hearing said he worried that the attack on evolution could confuse students and endanger their ability to excel in science.

It's worth clicking through and reading the article and then seeing what various commenters have to say.