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Religion in the Science Class? Why Creationism/Intelligent Design Don't Belong (So sayeth the ADL)
Anti-Defamation League ^

Posted on 03/27/2002 3:19:40 PM PST by RCW2001

Religion in the Science Class? RULE
Why Creationism and Intelligent Design Don't Belong

Creationism, creation science, intelligent design and other theories that set out to challenge widely held scientific explanations about the origin of the universe have no place in the public school curriculum. The U.S. Constitution guarantees the rights of Americans to believe the religious theories of creation (as well as other theories) but it does not permit them to be taught in public school science classes

Nevertheless, there is ongoing debate in several school districts as to whether creationism should be taught as a "competing scientific theory" in high school science classes.

A staunch defender of religious freedom in America, the Anti-Defamation League explains why the teaching of these religious theories of evolution doesn't belong in the classroom.

RULE

What is behind the current debate about religious theories of creation?

Proponents of religious theories of creation have recently renewed their efforts to persuade public schools to teach creationism, creation science, and intelligent design theory either along side or in place of evolution. This has triggered controversy in a number of state legislatures and boards of education and among parents.

The U.S. Constitution guarantees the rights of Americans to believe the religious theories of creation (as well as other theories) but it does not permit religious theories to be taught in public school science classes. This distinction makes sense, and is ultimately good for religion, because it leaves religious instruction to properly trained clergy and to parents (where religious education properly belongs), it keeps government out of religious controversies, and it ensures that public school classrooms remain hospitable to an ethnically diverse, religiously pluralistic country.

RULE

What does the Constitution say about teaching the religious theories of creation?

The Constitution guarantees the religious freedom of all Americans in two ways -- by protecting our individual right to worship and by ensuring separation between church and state. According to the Constitution as it has been interpreted by the Supreme Court, the government cannot promote or oppose specific religious views or doctrines. Creationism, creation science, and intelligent design theory are all unquestionably religious doctrines. Therefore, the government cannot promote them as science without violating the First Amendment.

RULE

What is creationism? What is creation science? What is intelligent design theory?

Creationism, creation science, and intelligent design theory are three religious theories of creation offered to explain the origins of the universe.

It is difficult to distinguish among these theories. However, this is a starting point:

  • Creationism is the belief that God has created the universe and/or humankind. Creationists typically subscribe to the account of creation presented in the Bible's Book of Genesis.

  • Creation Science attempts to prove that the world was created by God via the disproof of evolution and by offering interpretations of scientific data to "prove" the creation account in Genesis.

  • Intelligent Design theorists similarly offer a theory of God's role in the creation, arguing that the very complexity and organization of the world -- and the failure of science to explain it all -- makes God's intervention the only reasonable explanation. Intelligent design theorists do not typically rely on Genesis, instead working to find evidence of God's role in creation in their observations of the world.
RULE

May a science teacher who teaches evolution also teach the religious theories of creation?

No. Educators may not teach, either as scientific fact or even as an alternative or competing theory, the theory that humankind was created by a divine being. In science classes, educators must present only scientific explanations for life on earth and scientific critiques of evolution. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that it is unconstitutional to require educators who teach evolution also to teach creationism.1

Furthermore, schools may not refuse to teach evolution in an effort to avoid offending religious individuals.

In addition, disclaimers regarding the theory of evolution as the only explanation for the development of humankind have been found to be unconstitutional. In one case, a court struck down a school board rule requiring teachers to read a disclaimer that said that the teaching of evolution is "not intended to influence or dissuade the Biblical version of Creation or any other concept." 2

RULE

May a public school science teacher's right to teach evolution be restricted?

No. The Supreme Court has determined that it is unconstitutional to restrict an educator's right to teach evolution. 3

RULE

May religious theories of creation ever be discussed in the public schools?

Yes. Religious theories of creation may be included in classes on comparative religion as an example of how some religious groups believe human life began. However, creationism may never be taught as scientific fact.

RULE

Do scientific integrity and equity require that we teach a competing theory of human origins?

Equity, intellectual honesty and scientific integrity do not require the teaching of the religious theories of creation as a differing or alternative point of view to evolution. First, the religious theories of creation do not meet the tenets of science as scientists use the term.4 Moreover, it is not a matter of equity to teach a religious point of view in a public school classroom; rather, it is both unconstitutional and very harmful to the integrity of the religious points of view.

RULE

Has anyone ever proved evolution?

Yes, in exactly the same way that scientists prove any other deeply and widely held scientific claim.

Holders of the religious theories of creation (especially "creation scientists") often demand a much higher level of proof for evolution's claims than they might for other scientific claims. Scientific conclusions are rarely, if ever, arrived at through deductive -- purely logical -- methods. Yet, creationists seem to demand this of evolution scientists; they demand a level of proof that closes every avenue of contention, whether reasonable or not.

Science proceeds by testing theories so as to determine which way the empirical evidence credibly points. The record amassed in favor of evolution is far and away sufficient to draw the conclusion that evolution is the only scientific theory for the origin of the universe appropriate for the classroom.

RULE

Why is intelligent design theory inappropriate for the science classroom?

As the PBS.org website notes in its discussion of evolution, "'Intelligent design theory' is built on the belief that evolution does not sufficiently explain the complexity that exists in life on Earth and that science should recognize the existence of an 'intelligent designer.' Proponents assert that their criticism of evolution is scientific, not religious. But the various aspects of intelligent design theory have not yet been subjected to the normal process of scientific experimentation and debate, nor have they been accepted by the scientific community. No research supporting the claims of intelligent design has ever been published in any recognized, professional, peer-reviewed scientific journal. Finally, the question of whether there is an intelligent designer is untestable using the methods of science, and therefore is not a scientific claim."5

Since the claims of intelligent design are not adequately tested as science, they are inappropriate for the science classroom.

RULE

Don't the majority of Americans support one of the religious theories of creation and so doesn't our democratic system require that we allow those voices to be heard?

Neither science nor fundamental rights are subject to majority vote. As Michael Shermer wrote in Scientific American ". . . truth in science is not determined democratically. It does not matter what percentage of the public believes a theory. It must stand or fall on the evidence, and there are few theories in science that are more robust than the theory of evolution."6 And as the Supreme Court recently ruled in Santa Fe v. Doe: "Fundamental rights may not be submitted to vote; they depend on the outcome of no elections."7 Thus, the right to be free from a government which endorses and teaches religion is not a matter subject to the majority.

RULE

Isn't the viewpoint that religious ideas should never be taught in science hostile to religion?

No. Strict adherence to the separation of church and state embodied in the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment preserves religious freedom and protects our democracy.

ADL emphatically rejects the notion that the separation principle is inimical to religion, and holds, to the contrary, that a high wall of separation is essential to the continued flourishing of religious practice and beliefs in America, and to the protection of minority religions and their adherents. From our day-to-day experience serving its constituents, we can testify that the more government and religion become entangled, the more threatening the environment becomes for each. In the familiar words of Supreme Court Justice Hugo Black: "A union of government and religion tends to destroy government and degrade religion."8

Finally, the teaching of religious theories of creation -- in order to protect the very religious beliefs the underlie them -- should be left to parents and properly trained clergy.

RULE

Can teaching the religious theories of creation harm religious people?

Yes. Any effort to introduce a theological doctrine into the public school curricula would inevitably offend some teachers and students. After all, a Protestant fundamentalist's "literal" reading of Genesis would likely differ markedly from that of a Catholic or an Orthodox Jew. Both public school educators and religious leaders should be concerned about the prospect of biology lessons degenerating into debates on Biblical interpretation. Our history has been largely free of the kind of sectarian discord that has plagued other countries precisely because we have kept government out of religion and religion free from government control.

Many religious people, of course, are able to reconcile the teachings of the Bible with those of modern science. But this task should be left to families and their clergy based upon a full understanding of the scientific basis of evolutionary biology. To deny students an adequate education in biology for fear of insulting their religious sensibilities underestimates the ability of believers to distinguish between science and faith.

RULE
To return to your place in the text click the footnote number.

1 Edwards v. Aguillard, 482 U.S. 578 (1987).
2 Freiler v. Tangipahoa Parish Board of Education, 185 F.3d 337 (5th Cir. 1999) cert. denied, 530 U.S. 1251 (2000).
3 Epperson v. Arkansas, 393 U.S. 97 (1968).
4 See McLean v. Arkansas Board of Education, 529 F.Supp. 1255 (E.D. Ark.1982) cited favorably in Edwards v. Aguillard, 482 U.S. 578 (1987).
5 www.pbs.org "Evolution,"
6 Michael Shermer, "Skeptic: The Gradual Illumination of the Mind," Scientific American (February 2002)
7 Santa Fe Independent School Dist. v. Doe 530 U.S. 290 (2000).
8 Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421, 431 (1962).

RULE

 


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Extended News; Government
KEYWORDS: crevolist
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1 posted on 03/27/2002 3:19:40 PM PST by RCW2001
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To: RCW2001
The ADL position has absolutely nothing to do with science. It is based on the thesis that words written by Jews, whether modern or ancient, belong only to Jews, and not others.

Ergo, non-Jews who use the Biblical Creation account are, in the eyes of the ADL leadership, violating Jewish rights to their own heritage, that is, the Bible.

In short, the ADL position is always one of bigotry and is never designed to advance the progress of society as a whole. They're about 2000 years too late to make such a claim, but they do.

2 posted on 03/27/2002 3:33:19 PM PST by muawiyah
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To: RCW2001
The U.S. Constitution guarantees the rights of Americans to believe the religious theories of creation (as well as other theories) but it does not permit them to be taught in public school science classes.

Where does the Constitution say anything about what may or may not be taught in public school science classes?

3 posted on 03/27/2002 3:38:11 PM PST by Logophile
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To: RCW2001
Creationism, creation science, intelligent design and other theories that set out to challenge widely held scientific explanations about the origin of the universe have no place in the public school curriculum.

Interesting choice of words..

-The Hajman-
4 posted on 03/27/2002 3:45:42 PM PST by Hajman
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To: VadeRetro; Jennyp; junior; longshadow; crevo_list; RadioAstronomer; Scully
Ping.
5 posted on 03/27/2002 3:47:35 PM PST by PatrickHenry
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To: PatrickHenry
deja vu all over again lurking placeholder bump
6 posted on 03/27/2002 3:50:00 PM PST by longshadow
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To: Doctor Stochastic; BMCDA; Gumlegs; oldcats; JediGirl; Lurking Libertarian; ThinkPlease
Ping.
7 posted on 03/27/2002 3:52:22 PM PST by PatrickHenry
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To: longshadow
Lurking ... but never shirking.
8 posted on 03/27/2002 3:52:53 PM PST by Gumlegs
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To: Logophile
Where does the Constitution say anything about what
may or may not be taught in public school science classes?

Teaching religion in government schools
is the establishment of that religion by
the government, isn't it?

9 posted on 03/27/2002 4:00:44 PM PST by gcruse
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To: RCW2001
"The U.S. Constitution guarantees the rights of Americans to believe the religious theories of creation (as well as other theories) but it does not permit them to be taught in public school science classes."

See that bulls**t in bold? Prove it. [HINT: you can't if you know the first thing about the Constitution.]

10 posted on 03/27/2002 4:03:53 PM PST by RightOnline
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To: RCW2001
"Any effort to introduce a theological doctrine into the public school curricula would inevitably offend some teachers and students."

More utter horses**t. Show me ONE "moral teaching" that won't "offend" someone. I don't care; not a whit. I couldn't care less any longer who gets "offended" by Judeo-Christian values. I just don't give a flying fiddler's damn, because they sure as all HELL don't care about offending me and those like me. Let's have a "war of the offended", and they'll bloody-well lose.

Oh, how I despise such drooling pantywaists.

11 posted on 03/27/2002 4:07:12 PM PST by RightOnline
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To: RightOnline
I like your adittude!

This is an attempt to silence free speech by the facist left. In their sick, twisted, destructive view of the world, schools can never entertain the idea that the universe was created by God no matter how much scientific evidence there is for it. Their secular dogma must triumph by force of law over the will of the parents and scientific fact!

Down with the facists! Let freedom ring!

12 posted on 03/27/2002 4:17:22 PM PST by Ahban
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To: gcruse
Teaching religion in government schools is the establishment of that religion by the government, isn't it?

The short answer is no.

You seem to have missed the point of my earlier post. Education is a state and local issue. Nothing in the United States Constitution explicitly gives the federal government any authority over what is taught in public schools.

13 posted on 03/27/2002 4:20:13 PM PST by Logophile
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To: Logophile
Now, darn it all..............there ya go, confusing the issue with facts. Don't you know that these threads do not attract people who care about facts??? Sheesh...........try to keep up here, will ya???
14 posted on 03/27/2002 4:24:41 PM PST by RightOnline
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To: Logophile
 Nothing in the United States Constitution explicitly gives the federal
government any authority over what is taught in public schools.

Or over the size of my toilet tank, either.  So what's your point?

15 posted on 03/27/2002 4:26:52 PM PST by gcruse
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To: RightOnline
bttt
16 posted on 03/27/2002 4:27:07 PM PST by f.Christian
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To: Logophile
You seem to have missed the point of my earlier post. Education is a state and local issue. Nothing in the United States Constitution explicitly gives the federal government any authority over what is taught in public schools.

Didn't the 14th Amendment cause the Bill of Rights to be enforceable against the states? I forget.

At any rate, how many public schools don't get federal money thru the Dept. of Education?

17 posted on 03/27/2002 4:29:38 PM PST by jennyp
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To: gcruse
"Or over the size of my toilet tank, either. So what's your point?"

Come come, gcruse, my friend..............we may disagree on this topic, but you're FAR too smart to attempt to justify a ridiculously un-Constitutional stance by citing another ridiculous government intrusion / usurpation of power. In one case, voters are stupid enough to elect "legislators" with the IQ's of tomatoes with far too much time on their hands. The other issue? Not in the same league..........

18 posted on 03/27/2002 4:33:38 PM PST by RightOnline
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To: Logophile
Where does the Constitution say anything about what may or may not be taught in public school science classes?

In that little "general welfare" clause, in the 6 or 7 percent of the school's funding received from federal sources, head-start, school lunch programs, etc.

We are seeing why the strict interpretation of the constitution is so important. Living off the teet of the Fed is easy, but compromising.

19 posted on 03/27/2002 4:37:25 PM PST by sayfer bullets
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To: RightOnline
Concurring bump...
20 posted on 03/27/2002 4:39:09 PM PST by RCW2001
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