Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Lebo's front-row seat at modern 'monkey' trial
San Francisco Chronicle ^ | October 30, 2008 | Nanette Asimov

Posted on 10/30/2008 7:25:08 AM PDT by Soliton

The Board of Education in tiny Dover, Pa., earned a dubious distinction in 2004, becoming the first public district to require teachers to introduce religion while casting doubt on evolution.

Although Christianity is serious business in Dover, the idea of supplanting science with religion angered many parents. So, in 2005 - with the ACLU and the National Center for Science Education in Oakland - some parents sued to stop the religious requirement. The epic First Amendment case was Kitzmiller vs. Dover Area School District.

One reporter covering the case was Lauri Lebo, who grew up near the town of about 2,000 and wrote for the local York Daily Record. In her new book, Lebo not only explains the best public defense of evolution since the Scopes "Monkey" trial of 1925, but she also shows how the issue divided the town - and threatened her own relationship with her evangelical father.

Lebo's book is "The Devil in Dover: An Insider's Story of Dogma v. Darwin in Small-Town America."

Q: This case centers on intelligent design. What is that?

A: Intelligent design is revamped creationism, the idea that life is so complex that it demands a guiding hand.

Q: The U.S. Supreme Court has outlawed teaching creationism in public school. Why did the school board think it could get away with intelligent design?

A: They were getting help from the Thomas More Law Center, (which) pledges to be the "sword and shield" for Christians. The district's attorney said, "You can't do this - you've been talking about creationism - and that you are motivated by religion is quite clear." The brazenness of what the school board was doing was amazing. The goal was to take this case to the Supreme Court.

(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...


TOPICS: Education; Religion; Science
KEYWORDS: creationism; evolution; id
Good background on the Liars for God in Dover decision.
1 posted on 10/30/2008 7:25:08 AM PDT by Soliton
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: Soliton
. . .becoming the first public district to require teachers to introduce religion while casting doubt on evolution.

The credibility of this article falls apart as soon as it makes this claim. Of course, they probably got the language they used from the evols who are terrified of having the theory of evolution questioned.

2 posted on 10/30/2008 7:51:53 AM PDT by MEGoody (Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall cause you to vote against the Democrats.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MEGoody
The credibility of this article falls apart as soon as it makes this claim. Of course, they probably got the language they used from the evols who are terrified of having the theory of evolution questioned.

That isn't the opinion of the author, but a finding by the court.

3 posted on 10/30/2008 7:53:47 AM PDT by Soliton (Faith is an act of love; Love is an act of faith)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson