Still a translation of an article from Gazeta Wyborcza.
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Aleksandra Pezda: In Gazeta we wrote that the European MP Maciej Giertych wants to throw the theory of evolution out of schools. On the other hand, you said in an interview for Rzeczpospolita that you do not believe in this theory.
Mirosław Orzechowski: I did say that the theory of evolution is a lie. I am convinced that this is a mistake that was legalized as the prevailing truth. For me this is more of a story that belongs to the realm of fiction, you could even base a science-fiction movie on it.
The very theory of Darwin was modified while he was still alive, [the scientists] provided facts to undermine this theory. In general, you can treat Darwinism as a loose concept created by an elderly non-believer who viewed the world in this way.
Maybe this is because he was vegetarian and lacked inner fire.
This is sad, and this is precisely what is being taught in Polish schools. Well, there have been other lies in Polish schools, for instance, that Stalin was the founder of peace, that the tragedy of Katyn never took place.
But they don't teach that in schools anymore.
No. But there are other lies. For instance, we have long been told that a human being from the moment of conception is not really a person, just a soulless zygote. We are on our way to change the world for the better. Sometimes the results are for better, sometimes for worse, but we have to strive towards a world that is based on the truth and beauty as well as what is right.
But we might differ in our understanding of these concepts...
Then we have to reach for the classical works that have been recognized as the cultural heritage of the contemporary world – such as the Bible or works of antiquity. Darwinism was an intellectual motivation for non-believers, for them it became a sort of para-scientific argumentation method.
On the other hand, creationism is a concept that has survived for the past 2000 in Christianity. This is a truth of our civilization that flows straight from the faith, it has been passed on without being questioned for thousands of generations.
According to you the theory of evolution should be removed from school textbooks?
We will not remove it from textbooks. However, we should start a debate on this issue. Because you should not teach lies instead of truth, the same with evil instead of good, or monstrosity instead beauty.
So what is going to happen to the teachers who according to scientific findings will teach the theory of evolution? Quite recently the head of the National Teacher Training Centre lost his job because he allowed for a discussion about homosexuality in schools…
There you go! This is the most drastic form of lies: that two individuals of the same sex can form a relationship. I mean it does happen, but you cannot legalize it because it ruins our civilization.
And I will never contribute to a situation in which in school you could find a textbook that advises you to find the a representative of the gay movement, invite him to class so that he can tell that human rights are being violated because they cannot adopt children.
But this textbook only encouraged to be tolerant and posed questions...
But can there be such a question? No way! I represent the views of a civilization in which I was formed. We have to make sure this civilization survives.
Where is the space, then, for tolerance of different worldviews?
Oh, the world used to manage without tolerance and it will keep on going without it. We cannot have a couple of maniacs deciding about the fate of our civilization…
Sielatycki (the head of the National Teacher Training Centre) was fired not specifically for his own views, but for sharing them with others in schools.
The teachers bought the manual of the Council of Europe published by the National Teacher Training Centre – what is going to happen if they use it in schools?
All of the books have been locked and they will not be distributed any further, at least this is what the head of the National Teacher Training Centre affirms. If the situation is any different – I will intervene.
Nothing is going to happen to the teachers. I do believe that they are not rebels, but experienced pedagogues who understand their mission and do not assume the depravation of youth and children. If anything goes differently – I will react.