FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 2, 2000 Contact: Rob Boston or Steve Benen 202-466-3234 202-466-2587 fax www.au.org RELIGIOUS RIGHT OPPONENTS OF EVOLUTION LOSE CONTROL OF KANSAS BOARD OF EDUCATION AMERICANS UNITED SAYS VOTERS' REJECTION OF CREATIONISM HAS IMPORTANT NATIONAL IMPLICATIONS The results of yesterday's Kansas School Board elections are a clear and stinging rebuke to the Religious Right, says Americans United for Separation of Church and State. "These results demonstrate that Americans want quality science, not religious fundamentalism masked as science, taught in public schools," said the Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United. In a primary election, Kansas Republicans went to the polls and rejected two Board of Education members who had voted last summer to remove evolution from the state science curriculum. Americans United says the voters sent a message that should be heard nationwide. "Kansas voters have made it clear that they don't want a bunch of religious extremists monkeying around with the science curriculum," said Lynn. "It's impossible to interpret these results as anything but a rejection of the narrow-mindedness and arrogance of the Religious Right." Last year the Kansas board garnered national and international headlines when it voted to de-emphasize evolution in the state standards. Educators and advocates of church-state separation criticized the move, while Religious Right groups applauded it. Lynn said the Kansas results should serve as a lesson to political hopefuls on the danger of advocating the Religious Right's agenda. "Elected officials and would-be officeholders should take note," Lynn remarked. "If you cater to the Religious Right, the voters will hold you accountable." Americans United is a religious liberty watchdog group based in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1947, the organization represents 60,000 members and allied houses of worship in all 50 states. Background on the Kansas Evolution Controversy: Evolution Evasion: How A Religious Right Drive To Censor Evolution In Public Schools Has Torn Kansas Apart And Ignited A New National Debate Over Church And State (October 1999 Church & State) Also See: AU Special Report: Science Test: 75 Years After Scopes, Religious Right Activists Are Trying New Tactics To Expel Evolution From The Public Schools (7/10/00) -30- ____________________________________________ Beth Corbin National Grassroots Organizer Americans United for Separation of Church and State 518 C Street, N.E. Washington, D.C. 20002 PH: 202-466-3234 FAX: 202-466-2587 [EMAIL PROTECTED] [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.au.org
