The Church Executive News writes about the deceptively-named “academic freedom” bills in other states. Interesting how so many religious organizations are so interested in these bills when the bills are supposedly not about religion.
The Louisiana bill (SB 733) — which passed the state Senate 35-0 April 28 and now is in a House committee — says the state board of education “shall allow and assist teachers, principals, and other school administrators” to “help students understand, analyze, critique, and objectively review scientific theories being studied,” including “evolution, the origins of life, global warming, and human cloning.” A teacher would be allowed to “use supplemental textbooks” in addition to the textbooks in use. In addition, the bill says it “shall not be construed to promote any religious doctrine.”
The Michigan bill, HB 6027, was introduced in the state House April 30 and currently is before the education committee. It would allow teachers to help students “understand, analyze, critique, and review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories.”
The Missouri bill, HB 2554, passed a House committee April 30. It would permit teachers to teach about the “strengths and scientific weaknesses of theories of biological and chemical evolution.”
Apparently another lawsuit is in order.
These bills are not very intelligently designed.
And according to NCSE, Louisiana’s Sen. Nevers got the climate change, cloning, and chemical evolution language reinserted before its unanimous (yes, that’s right) passage in the Senate. It has been referred to the House Education Committee. In Michigan, the state teachers association is mounting a big fight – their bill is just like the “re-engrossed” Louisiana bill, which includes biological and chemical evolution, human cloning, and climate change.
Good news! Missouri House Bill 2554 is dead!
Creationism bill, we hardly knew ye….
Yay! 🙂
Creationism bill, we hardly knew ye….
What a shame…