Evolution is just a theory. Don't believe it. I don't care how logical it is or how much evidence you can show me. I've come to a strange sort of epiphany over the past few years that makes me really despise the whole idea of believing in evolution. Hell, while we're at it, let's throw out global warming and special relativity, too. It's time to clean house.

I should note immediately that none of this rant is intended to imply something negative about the aforementioned theories. I find them to be very compelling explanations of complex phenomenons in nature. I just don't believe them anymore. I used to, but now I just accept them.

My epiphany is not that evolution is wrong, in fact quite the opposite. I simply accept it as true, much as I have accepted that the world is round, much as I have accepted that we revolve around the sun, much as I have accepted that some day I am going to die. Global warming, relativity, I accept those too.

But belief? No. Belief is something I reserve for things for which there is no empirical proof. To believe means to take something on faith. Evolution is just a theory. It has never been pompous enough to ask that I accept it on faith alone. Instead, evolution asks that I look at some evidence, and decide whether to accept it or reject it.

My so-called epiphany was cemented after reading a page from The Washington Post online, an edited transcript of Sam Harris entitled The Problem with Atheism. Reading his words has put an end to many nagging thoughts I get from time to time. Before this, I'd find myself wondering things like:

• If I believe in evolution, why shouldn't we kill off people who are born with genetic "defects" or other conditions that impair their ability to lead productive lives in society?
• If I believe in evolution, why would we bother saving endangered species? Shouldn't we just let these things die already?
• If I believe in evolution, why do I put weed killer on my grass? Shouldn't I let the weeds take over, since they are stronger, and therefore more deserving of this space?

I knew that these were stupid questions, I just couldn't figure out why they were stupid questions. The thing is, they're trick questions. They begin with the premise of "belief" in evolution. The truth is, I never believed in evolution. It's just a theory, and I choose to accept it. It analyzes how we came to be, and dictates nothing as to how we "should" act, nor does it make any suggestion about morality in our behavior.

Sam Harris talks about the trap into which "atheists" have fallen. The questions I asked above demonstrate the same trap. The same pitfalls apply.

The trap is so simple to set that if you're not careful, you can fall into it without any help from someone intentionally misleading you. So just be careful the next time someone challenges the way you perceive the world based on what you believe. Before responding, ask yourself, do I really believe it, or do I accept it.

Religions and theories are not mutually exclusive. You can accept evolution, and yet believe in some higher power that directs the way this evolution goes. The same way I put weed killer on my lawn, it is feasible that some entity is making conscious decisions that affect the way our evolution goes.

This "higher power" might or might not exist. What you believe about this entity is up to you, because there is no way yet for us to empirically prove or disprove its existence.

On the same token, it's important to note that even the term "higher power" contains elements of belief. We are born of parents, raised by elders whom we likely respect. As such we are trained to believe that whatever creates us is benevolent. We are trained to believe it is better than us. The key word is, we "believe" these things. We can't prove them. They are assumptions we make without proof. We could just as easily be created by something lesser than ourselves. We may be happy accidents, and I see nothing wrong with this.

Similarly, we assume that we were created for a purpose, when we could just as easily have been accidental, even unrealized side effects of some grander experiment. While our parents are generally reluctant to say such things, it's safe to say that many of us were not created on purpose, but instead by the powerful drive of hormones, side effects thereof, happy accidents and just lucky to be alive at all.

All of which sounds incredibly cranky and gloomy, a sad irony of the whole situation. This epiphany has, if nothing else, given me a respect for life that I lacked in the past. I dare say, I feel happier as a person having distinguished the things I believe from the things I accept.

That's the only reason I even bother to write this article at all. It's a relief to no longer feel I need to be combative about beliefs with my friends who happen to be religious. They can tell me they don't believe in evolution, or global warming, or atheism, and I can smile, nod, and honestly tell them: Neither do I.