[saganite]

The constitution doesn't say anything about practicing your religion in a public school.

I don't believe this judge said you can't go to the church of your choice and worship any way you choose. That's what the separation of church and state is all about, not teaching religious "theories" in science class.

[justtryingtopassapenglish]

Yes, intelligent design is the mainstream belief among most Christians...so therefore we should keep it from being taught in public schools? There is absolutely no logic in that stance. Could it not be argued that we ARE limiting someone's right to freedom of religion by forcing one set of beliefs/theories on them? In this case, these beliefs do form a sort of religion, and this religion is being forced upon students as the one and only religion.
Intelligent Design goes beyond the church. Much of the evidence used to support these evolution theories (which is exactly what they are, theories, not facts) can, conversely, be used to support Intelligent Design.
Take the bat wing. For quite some time, evolutionists have chosen to compare the similar framework between the bat's wing and the human's arm and call it yet another case of evolution. But could it not be that an almighty being used a design that works in two different species? Doesn't an architect use similar designs in more than one building?

[HereInTheHeartland]

"The constitution doesn't say anything about practicing your religion in a public school. "

Actually it mentions nothing of a public school either.
The Founders would not have approved of the nanny state leftist "public" school system.
They would be aghast at tax money being forcibly taken from citizens to fund a government education system.
We have moved so far from their intent it is laughable.

[metmom]

Amendment I - Freedom of Religion, Press, Expression. Ratified 12/15/1791. Note Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The Constitution does prevent the government from PREVENTING the free exercise of religion. Banning it from the public arena, including public schools is unconstitutional. There is no such thing as a wall of separation or the guarantee of separation of church and state. Allowing it is not establishing it. So the Constitution does address the practice of religion in PUBLIC schools. It allows it. It doesn't relegate it to only church as if people who believe in some sort of god are second class citizens.

[Jeff Head]

The Constitution doesn't say anything about public schools, or the separatioon of Church and State either.

[unlearner]

"The constitution doesn't say anything about practicing your religion in a public school."

The Constitution does not talk about public school. Period.

It does however forbid limiting the free exercise of religion. It also protects religious freedom by limiting the federal government from making one religion the official state religion.

"I don't believe this judge said you can't go to the church of your choice and worship any way you choose. That's what the separation of church and state is all about, not teaching religious 'theories' in science class."

This judge threw out ID because the proponents were religious. He called them liars for being religious and then giving nonreligious reasons for including ID in the curriculum.

According to this judge, religious motivations are enough to exclude a person from public education and politics.

[ChinaThreat]

From a scientific standpoint, Darwin's theory is as much of a theory as intelligent design. The theory of intelligent design states that "something so complex appears to have been designed by some other force as opposed to pure probablity and statistics". I't doesent advocate any particular religion. If it does, then it should be unconstitutional.

To remove a line of theory or though without first disproving it, is doing a disservice to those who are being presented with "possibilities". To me, barring a discussion of intelligent design in school is stupid because it is the willfull censorship of a possibility/theory. This robs students of the study of another unproven possibility. Darwin's theory is no more proven than the story of Genesis by the way.

Both should be presented.

[benjibrowder]

Where exactly is Separation of Church and State in the Constitution? I've looked. Can't seem to find it. Please enlighten me!

[Ceewrighter]

That's what the separation of church and state is all about, not teaching religious "theories" in science class."

I doubt you know what is behind the fancy phrase "seperation of church and state." It's meant not to create a state sponsored religion on a national level. State's could do whatever they decide.

And, I highly doubt you are familiar with what the exact proposed changes were to the Dover High School science curriculum. It was not a teaching of Intelligent Design at all. If it was, tell me what you think constitutes teaching a curriculum.

[NapkinUser]

"That's what the separation of church and state is all about..."

Where is that in the constitution?

[BlueMondaySkipper]

That's what the separation of church and state is all about, not teaching religious "theories" in science class.

Wrong

First of all, there is nothing called "Separation Of Church and State" in the constitution. The idea that it does has been a classic "big lie" that a lot of uninformed people have bought into.

The first amendment reads as follows:

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Second, the first amendment's mention of religion limits the FEDERAL government from establishing a religion (i.e. The Church Of England), it does nothing to limit what a local school board can do. In fact, a case could be made that the Feds are violating the constitution when they limit the ability of the said school board from doing this.

What part of this does your apparently lacking education not allow you to understand?