Susan
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Edwards v. Aguillard: In 1987, the U.S. Supreme Court held unconstitutional
Louisiana's "Creationism Act." This statute prohibited the teaching of
evolution in public schools, except when it was accompanied by instruction
in "creation science." The Court found that, by advancing the religious
belief that a supernatural being created humankind, which is embraced by the
term creation science, the act impermissibly endorses religion. In addition,
the Court found that the provision of a comprehensi ve science education is
undermined when it is forbidden to teach evolution except when creation
science is also taught. (Edwards v. Aguillard (1987) 482 U.S. 578)
Freiler v. Tangipahoa Parish Board of Education: In 1997. the United States
District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana rejected a policy
requiring teachers to read aloud a disclaimer whenever they taught about
evolution, ostensibly to promote "critical thinking". The Court wrote that,
"In mandating this disclaimer, the School Board is endorsing religion by
disclaiming the teaching of evolution in such a manner as to convey the
message that evolution is a religious viewpoint that runs counter to...
other religious views."Ê The decision is alsoÊ noteworthy for recognizing
that curriculum proposals for "intelligent design" are equivalent to
proposals for teaching "creation science". (Freiler v Tangipahoa Board of
Education, No. 94-3577 (E.D. La. Aug. 8, 1997). On August 13, 1999, the 5th
circuit court of appeals affirmed the ruling.
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Peace is not the absence of conflict--it is the presence of justice.
--Martin Luther King, Jr.
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