|
08.04.11
ACLU Warns Springboro School Officials Against Policy Allowing Creationism in Classrooms
Lawsuit Would Be Costly and Time Consuming
SPRINGBORO, OH - The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio sent a letter today to
Springboro Community City School District officials urging them to reject plans to allow
creationism to be taught in public school or risk costly litigation. Recently, members of
the district’s Board of Education requested officials explore ways to integrate
creationism into the school’s curriculum. Over the past several decades, the U.S.
Supreme Court and other courts have consistently found that teaching creationism, intelligent
design, or other religious-based ideologies unfairly promote one belief system over others.
“The ACLU has a long history of defending everyone’s right to practice the
religion of their choice, or none at all,” said ACLU of Ohio Legal Director James
Hardiman. “However, if public schools begin to teach a religious ideology as scientific
fact, it sends a message that the school supports that religion over others. Preferential
treatment makes all people less free to hold their own beliefs.”
In its letter, the ACLU reminded officials that passing such a policy would leave the school
legally liable and it would have to bear the cost of legal expenses when a lawsuit is filed.
“School officials could find much better uses for its resources than passing an
unconstitutional policy that flies in the face of their mission to educate young people and
perpetuates the myth that religion and science cannot coexist. Evolutionary theory and
religion need not be opposed to one another. Many scientists are also devoutly religious and
many religious people understand scientific theories,” added Hardiman.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1987 in Edwards v. Aguillard that teaching
creationism in public schools was a violation of the U.S. Constitution. In December 2005, a
federal judge in Pennsylvania ruled that intelligent design, a new ideology promoted as a
scientific alternative to evolution, was no different than creationism. Scientists have nearly
universally dismissed these theories as unverifiable.
“Springboro students must compete with other young people in the global marketplace.
It is irresponsible for schools to divert resources that should be devoted to teaching
science to promote certain religious beliefs. Instead, parents should be empowered to educate
their kids on their spiritual values,” concluded Hardiman.
-30-
Read the letter to Springboro Community Schools.
View the ACLU of Ohio Religious Liberty page.
|
news center
volunteer