These bills ostensibly promote "alternative positions in curricula being
taught or in a course of learning on the subject of biological or physical
origins". However, in the Senate Education Committee hearing, Senator
Mitchell specifically stated that this bill would allow Christian
creationist views to be presented, but not Hindu or Buddhist creationist
views.
The problems with these bills are:
1. They are specifically designed to encourage presentation of a religious
belief in the public school classroom, which the U.S. Supreme Court has
ruled is unconstitutional (Edwards v Aguillard, 1987, Epperson v Arkansas,
1968)
2. They open the door for school boards to be sued every time this happens,
while simultaneously depriving them of the power to keep teachers from
doing it. In this type of suit, the defendant not only has to pay their own
legal fees and damages to the plaintiff, it is frequently ordered to pay
the plaintiff's legal fees. This is why the state of Alabama is now liable
for over $700,000 in legal fees, to be paid to plaintiffs, for the Roy
Moore Ten Commandments suit. WE NEED TO SPEND OUR EDUCATION DOLLARS ON
STUDENTS, NOT LAWYERS. Even a teacher who did not believe in creationism
but simply had a grudge or desire to intimidate his superiors could teach a
religious orientation merely to bring liability on to the school, and then
continue to do so despite repeated lawsuits.
3. They open the door for teaching creationist beliefs of Scientologists,
Satanists, Pagans, Hindus or any other belief. Dr Joe Morton,
Superintendent of the State Department of Education, testified against them
in the House and Senate hearings, saying that these bills would allow
teachers to introduce unwanted material, such as reincarnation or Satanism.
(Morton has since been quoted in the press as no longer being opposed to
these bills.) It is indeed curious that the Eagle Forum and Christian
Coalition are supporting legislation that would allow Satanism or other
non-Christian beliefs to be taught in the classroom.
4. Neither bill places any limitation on the amount of class time that can
be spent presenting "alternative positions". A teacher who chose to devote
weeks or months of class time to teaching creationism could not be
prevented from doing so. The House bill also specifically states that these
views could be presented "in any curricula or course of learning", so
creationism could consume a math, science, history, language, music or even
physical education course.
5. They allow teachers to openly advocate racism in class. If a teacher
wanted to present their view that the Bible (Genesis 9:25-26) said Africans
are descendants of Noah's son Ham, who are "cursed" and shall be "servant
of servants", they would be protected by this bill.
6. There are already ample opportunities for religious views to be
presented in public schools. Numerous groups, such as First Priority and
Fellowship of Christian Athletes, meet every week in Alabama public schools
to pray, witness and study the Bible. So long as this is voluntary,
student-led and on non-instructional time, the courts have consistently
ruled that it is constitutionally protected free speech.
7. We do not allow any other "alternative" religious views in the
classroom, even if they are widespread. We do not allow teachers who
believe in astrology to teach that the sun and planets orbit the earth. We
do not allow anyone to teach that mental illness can be caused by demon
possession or demonic oppression, though
both of those beliefs are widespread in Alabama. ("Demonic oppression" is
different from "demon possession" - demons just hit you with bad events and
mood swings.)
8. There are no creationist questions on any of the numerous standardized
tests that our students have to take, such as the ACT, SAT, Achievement
Tests, Advanced Placement (AP) exams, or the Alabama High School Graduation
Exams. Taking class time to present creationist views puts our students at
a competitive disadvantage on these exams.
