Creationism foes on alert after passage of Louisiana law

Bobby Jindal (photo)

Louisiana Governor

Critics expect similar measures to be introduced in Texas next Spring.

Evolution backers are bird-dogging a bill signed by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal this week that some say will open up classroom science to increased academic debate and others say is just a back-door attempt to introduce creationism into the curriculum in Louisiana schools.

The “Academic Freedom” bill will allow teachers to introduce state-approved supplemental material into science classrooms. Louisiana lawmakers clearly were split over whether this was a Trojan horse for the inclusion of creationism or an attempt to create robust debate on contemporary science issues such as global warming, human cloning and evolution.

Steven Schafersman, president of Texas Citizens for Science and the leading foe of creationism or intelligent design being injected into Texas curriculum, sent out an e-mail alert Friday afternoon on the Louisiana bill, saying it was only a matter of time before a similar effort would be introduced in Texas.

“It looks like the Discovery Institute finally found a formula that works for them in its continuing opposition to accurate and reliable science education in the U.S.,” Schafersman said. “I strongly believe that (Reps.) Charlie Howard and Warren Chisum will be introducing the same bill in Texas in January. In fact, I’m positive of it.”

Reprinted from Harvey Kronberg's Quorum Report.