>Creationism bill fails (Missoulian, 20 February 2001)
>
>By KATHLEEN McLAUGHLIN Missoulian State Bureau
>
>HELENA - Religious creation theories about human origins have no place in
>public schools, a House committee decided late Monday.
>
>By a 14-4 vote, the House State Administration Committee tabled House Bill
>588 by Rep. Joe Balyeat, R-Bozeman. The bill would have directed the
>Montana Board of Public Education - which sets curricula for public schools
>- to adopt creationism and evolution teaching materials approved by a
>six-member volunteer board appointed by the governor. The measure called
>for "objectivity in science education."
>
>Supporters argued that evolution is not the only explanation or best
>explanation for the existence of humankind. But opponents of the proposal
>said it's ridiculous and probably unconstitutional in several ways. Forcing
>teachers to spend class time on theories other than accepted scientific
>practice is a ludicrous step backward for Montana, they told the committee.
>Balyeat and others argued that by setting statewide science curriculum, the
>Legislature would ensure that children are exposed to all theories of human
>existence.
>
>"Our children would best be served by opening their minds to all competing
>theories of origin," Balyeat said.
>Opponents of HB588, however, said there's really no competition among
>scientific theories. What's at work in this bill, they said, is a plan to
>work religious teachings into public schools. Evolution is the widely held
>explanation for human existence, they said, and mandating religious and
>other explanations be taught in public schools is blatantly
>unconstitutional.
>"I find it amazing that this is a debate," said Joe Lamson, spokesman for
>the state Office of Public Instruction. "We don't put nonscientific things
>in the science class."
>
>Dave Baker, a geologist from Monarch, said he also was flabbergasted that
>the Legislature would consider forcing out sound science in schools.
>
>"In the scientific community, there is no debate" over evolution vs.
>creation, he said.
>Supporters of the measure argued that plenty of questions remain and
>schoolchildren should not suffer learning the range of ideas and theories.
>
>"I believe we need to allow the open debate in our public schools," said
>Ellen Fishbaugh of Helena. "All the competing ideas of the past should come
>in on equal footing."
>
>Others argued for mind-broadening debate in the classroom.
>"This is not a religious issue. Instead, it is a plea for accuracy in the
>scientific process," said Tom Schneider, a former teacher. "Let us approach
>the origins of life as scientists, not as politicians."
>
>HB588 opponent Scott Crichton, executive director of the American Civil
>Liberties Union of Montana, said he found the supporters' arguments ironic,
>as creative thought and acceptance of diversity often are so dissuaded by
>the same groups.
>"I'm a bit taken aback that we're hearing praise of critical thinking,"
>Crichton said.
Keith B. Miller
Department of Geology
Kansas State University
Manhattan, KS 66506
kbmill@ksu.edu
http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~kbmill/
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