Foolish Questions

I loved the old country music song titled Foolish Questions. It referenced situations as when a person rushes into the house, literally dripping wet and someone asks "Is it raining?".

At the August debate for Republican presidential candidates, TV host Bret Baier asked candidates to raise their hand if they would reject a Democrat proposal to offer $10 in spending cuts for $1 in tax increases. What a foolish question. Given the track record of Congressional Democrats, the $1 in tax would be taken - the $10 in spending cuts never given. How would you answer such a question?

But, I heard of a worse question: A group was asked to raise their hands if they believe in evolution. In both instances, the question was posed for a "gesture" answer... no explanations requested... no clarifications permitted.

Any sane person would have to answer yes, that they believe in "evolution". We all know that cross breeding and adaptations caused by climate, food or other influences, have caused a species of animal or plant to evolve into some different form. Consider the old "wolf to chihuahua" example. Or, how about the many kinds of roses developed by cross pollination (even patented).

However, the word "evolution" in modern conversation almost always refers to the origin of man. No one can
absolutely answer that question. Many learned people have sought the answer to the origin of man. Many others have speculated. Historic prophets have advanced "truths", sometimes mutually exclusive truths, but each with legends of believers.

Across America there are frequent confrontations between people who want schools to teach one or another explanation for the origin of  man. How can you teach anything when it is impossible to know the answer? But some persist, as if it would truly affect the life of a fifth grader to know what happened thousands or perhaps millions of years ago.

It would be very nice if we could just teach the truth, or at minimum, common sense: "We really cannot explain the origins of man but there are several possibilities. Why don't you discuss it with your parents?" Immediately that would enrage people of all beliefs  - who hold their personal belief to be inviolate. Better to ask foolish (unanswerable) questions.