Bush’s “Intelligent Design:” Teach Creationism!
Listed in: Separation of Church and State, NJDC News, Press Releases
Washington, DC: The Knight Ridder news service reported today that on Monday, George W. Bush "essentially endorsed efforts by Christian conservatives to give intelligent design equal standing with the theory of evolution in the nation's schools." The report notes that most scientists "consider intelligent design an attempt to inject religion into science courses."
The article adds, "Bush compared the current debate to earlier disputes over 'creationism,' a related view that adheres more closely to biblical explanations. As governor of Texas, Bush said students should be exposed to both creationism and evolution." Bush himself said to reporters, "I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought. ...You're asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, the answer is yes." (Click here for full story.)
"George W. Bush's latest statements are yet another example of this White House's war on science; apparently he would gladly add America's public schools to the 'flat earth society' to which the current White House science team belongs," said National Jewish Democratic Council Executive Director Ira N. Forman. "Bush is suggesting that our public schools teach 'different ideas' to their captive audiences of school children, regardless of whether or not they're rooted in science or fact. I have a suggestion: let's also teach school kids about my new 'theory' -- that the Earth was created by space aliens. You see, teaching my theory and teaching 'intelligent design' in public schools enjoy the same level of support from the National Academy of Sciences and the American Association for the Advancement of Science: none. Zero. Zip.
"Public school science classes should teach just that: science. There is a time and place to teach religion to our children -- either at home, or in private or religious schools, or after the public school day and on weekends in our houses of worship. America's public schools are no place for this President to advance his 'flat earth society' mentality," Forman added.
