Originally Posted by melodious fellow
Shore, many governments are quite two-faced, not uncommon at all.
But the government "allowing evolution to be taught" (I absolutely love the phrasing of that, btw :D) while using religion to control the masses is not exactly being two-faced IMO.
Religion first emerged in late hunting and gathering tribes (long before Christianity or Judaism or the other modern religions) and greatly expanded during the transition to a more agricultural society. The reason for this social institution? A means of legitimating inequality in early societies. Perhaps religion does much more for us now, but we see where it has its roots. There is an old quote that "Religion was invented by the rich, for the poor." A rather Markist idea, but perhaps containing some truth.
Secondly, even if we are assuming that the Government did not believe the religion, (which is a large assumption) but was merely using it to control people, I still do not believe it would be two faced to teach evolution. Religion and evolution do not have to contradict each other. Living organism do evolve over time, as those better suited for their environments (due to a mutation or otherwise) have a higher rate of survival, and thus pass on more of their genetics. We can actually see micro-evolution happen before our eyes, with such as the Peppered Moths. Evolution is not really up for debate, it happens. I love when people get all excited over the fact that "evolution is just a theory!" Gravity is also a theory, as are many other theories we all take as fact.
But again, evolution does not say who put life on Earth. And the big whole in the big bang theory is what caused the big bang?. Evolution merely describes how living organism change.
There is plenty of room for both science and religion, and only those seeking to further division or get in an argument will tell you otherwise.
peace