Replies

"...I'm pretty sure the Constitution doesn't say anything about schools or scientific theories."

Nope but it does say something about government establishing religion....

What would be nice is that if along with keeping the school from establishing religion in science class, the courts would also reaffirm that each individual's right religious expression does not end when we set foot on public property -it just shouldn't be part of the curriculum.

Intelligent Design Theory is entirely scientific and teaching it is not in any way the establishment of a national religion.

As an evolutionary theory, Intelligent Design Theory accepts that evolution does in fact occur, and is therefore fundamentally opposed to biblically literalist "creationism."

I don't know the specifics of the proposed changes in the curriculum but the Dim sounds like a sore looser... a dead last looser. As far as the government establishing a religion, I believe the Constitution states "Congress shall make no law establishing religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof". I don't believe that Congress is involved in defining what 14 year old mush minds are taught. Call me silly but I don't see the problem from a Constitutional standpoint.

You're lack of understanding of the Constitution and of the definition of the word "establish" is evident with your statement.

Nope but it does say something about government establishing religion....

No it doesn't. Read the text:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..."

The establishment clause prevents Congress from making a law establishing a national religion as was the case in most European countries at the time (The Church of England in England, the Lutheran Church in Germany, etc). The establishment clause says nothing at all about a local governing bodies rights regarding religious matters.

The word "establish" as used in the context of the 1st Amendement means "To make a state institution of". This school board is not establishing or making a state instituion of a particular religion but is simply offering to its students an alternative to the theory (and I stress) theory of evolution. Many faiths hold to a divine creator. This is not a belief exclusive to Christianity.

Congress shall make no law....

People tend to forget that only COngress is prohibited from doing one thing and that is "making a law". The Constitiution does not guarantee the seperation of Church and State. It specifically prohibits the Government from establishing a state sponsered church, as was the case in England several hundred years ago, and prohibits it from interfering with the free exercise of religion. The Federal Government should not be interfering with education because it's not one of the responsibilities outlined in the Consititution. Everything that is not specifically delegated to the Federal Government is the responsibility of the states. By doing this the Government is officailly endorsing Atheism, which, I seem to recall hearing recently, has been declared a religion. Recognising that something exists is not endorsing it. Also, which religion is it that the Government is being accused of endorsing?

"Nope but it does say something about government establishing religion...."

Actually, the correct wording states: (in part)"..an establishment of religion.." which means a church.

The ACLU and SCOTUS have given most people an incorrect interpretation.