Nevers denies that this bill is about religion, but as the story points out, he was asked to sponsor the bill by the Louisiana Family Forum. The article vaguely describes the group as one "that promotes traditional family values," but fails to mention exactly what those "family values" are.
Here's what LFF's website says about the group:
• In 1998, having recognized the need for a family advocate in Louisiana, a group of pastors, policymakers, and concerned citizens came together to launch Louisiana Family Forum. Now in its ninth year, Louisiana Family Forum is proud of its growth, accomplishments, and the role it plays in public policy, family-strengthening initiatives across our state.
• Our Mission: To persuasively present biblical principles in the centers of influence on issues affecting the family through research, communication and networking.
• Our Core Values: God’s equal interest in all areas of human experience ... We believe there is no part of human experience that does not hold God’s intense interest. As Creator of humanity, He is fully and equally interested in the totality of that experience.
• 2000 Accomplishments ... Education: LFF’s Attorneys Resource Council recently hosted a Constitutional Issues in Public Education Seminar. Teachers, principals, and school board members learned about constitutional options for teaching the Bible in public school, balanced science and American history education, and the current status on prayer and other religious activities at our public schools. From LFF’s leadership it is expected that a number of school districts will soon begin offering a Bible as History and Literature high school elective course and will take advantage of the informative and free Origins Science Addendum that is now posted on LFF’s website to aid public school biology students and teachers.
• 2001 Accomplishments ... Secured state B.E.S.E. acknowledgement that the Bible as History and Literature course is subject to local School board approval. This Bible-based elective course was approved in 6 parishes, with activities in 30 other parishes.
The article also fails to question the assumption that evolution is a controversial issue among scientists. While evolutionary theory may itself evolve, evolution is supported by scientific consensus. Intelligent design, however, was ruled "a religious view, a mere re-labeling of creationism, and not a scientific theory" in Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District.Similarly, the notion that global warming is highly controversial within the scientific community is also misleading. Most climate scientists agree that global warming is primarily caused by human activities.
Wouldn't it be nice if science teachers were actually allowed to teach science?
2 comments:
I wanted to add:
As I see it, the problem with religion in public education is that, in this country, "religion" means "Christianity," and public dialogue about religion almost always excludes all other religions. I will never be okay with introducing religious myths into science classes. I would, however, be fine with a comparative religion class or a class on the history of religion (all religion) in public education. I actually think we, as a society, could benefit from this sort of information.
That second-to-last sentence should read:
"I would, however, be fine with comparative religion classes—or classes on the history of religions—in public education."
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