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I can't cite the case, but IIRC, laws passed requiring equal time for the
'theory' [sic] of intelligent design have been ruled unconstitutional.
This was, I believe, before the creationists latched on to calling it
'intelligent design'... but they have tried to demand equal time for
creationism before. This was (correctly) ruled as an unconstitutional
attempt to introduce religious teaching into the public schools. Teaching
ABOUT religion is ok ("The reformation was spurred by the following
differences between Luther and the Church..." or "the five key beliefs of
Islam are...") teaching religion as a fact ("It is wrong to eat pork" or
"it is a valid scientific theory that the world was created 5,000 years
ago") is not.

I don't know that I trust that correct ruling by the supreme court to be
upheld, what with pinheads like the man referenced in my sig on the
bench, but here's hoping.

And btw, I think that case where 'equal time for creationism' was
declared unconstitutional was in a suit by a whole bunch of very
mainstream religious leaders, who considered it the teaching of a
doctrrine which their faiths do not agree with. I don't think science
centers dabbling in theology is a great idea, but it's well worth noting
that many religious groups are our allies in the fight against
creationism and other unscientific nonsense. It's harder for the
creationists to rant about godless secular humanist heathens out to
destroy religion, America family values etc... when one of those
'heathens' is the Pope. [I'm sure they'll still rant, though.]

God grant me the company of those who seek the truth, and God deliver me
from those who have found it,
Jonah Cohen
Outreach & Public Programs Manager
Science Center of Connecticut

"Scalia finished his memo by writing 'If a Supreme Court justice
can be bought so cheaply, this country is in deeper trouble than I
thought.'
In a related story, this country is in deeper trouble than Scalia
thought."
-The Daily Show


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