Last year, an "academic freedom" bill barely died in the Florida legislature. That bill would have provided
public school teachers with a right to present scientific information relevant to the full range of views on biological and chemical evolution. Prohibits a teacher from being discriminated against for presenting such information. Prohibits students from being penalized for subscribing to a particular position on evolution, etc.
This year, Florida's upped the ante. Although no bill has been filed yet, a state senator wants to legislate the "balanced treatment" approach struck down in 1982's McLean v Arkansas case.
State Sen. Stephen Wise, a Jacksonville Republican, said he plans to introduce a bill to require teachers who teach evolution to also discuss the idea of intelligent design.
. . .
Wise, the chief sponsor of the bill, expects the Senate to take it up when it meets in March. He said its intent is simple: "If you're going to teach evolution, then you have to teach the other side so you can have critical thinking."
. . .
Wise, the chief sponsor of the bill, expects the Senate to take it up when it meets in March. He said its intent is simple: "If you're going to teach evolution, then you have to teach the other side so you can have critical thinking."
Why don't the anti-evolution activists at least bother to learn the history of their movement before they propose these nonsensical and unconstitutional flights of fancy?
posted by Cheryl Shepherd-Adams
