ACTION ALERT ARIZONA URGENT: ACT NOW TO PROTECT THE TEACHING OF EVOLUTION! DEFEND SCIENCE AND STOP RELIGION FROM INVADING OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS! The House will be voting shortly on HB 2585 -- legislation that would require public schools to teach "alternative theories" of life in conjunction with the teaching of evolution. * This bill is merely a transparent attempt to advance the religious tenet of creationism, at the expense of evolution. It is unconstitutional and should be rejected. * The clear command of Constitution is that public schools not endorse or favor religion or any religious perspective. (Edwards v. Aguillard) Accordingly, the Supreme Court has held that the "equal treatment" of religious theories of creation in science classes violates the Constitution. Another way public schools cross this line is when they tailor their curriculum to conform to the religious beliefs of one faith or dogma by omitting the teaching of evolution. (Epperson v. Arkansas) * It cannot be disputed that creationism (a belief that God created the world as related in the book of Genesis) is a religious perspective. (Edwards v. Aguillard, McLean v. Arkansas Bd. of Educ., Unified School Dist.) Thus, not only are schools forbidden from teaching religious theories such as creationism, they are also prohibited from restructuring the curriculum with the purpose of making it conform to the religious beliefs of certain individuals and religious groups by omitting or restricting the teaching of accepted scientific theories such as evolution. In addition, courts have held that it crosses the line for schools to discredit evolution or require teachers to validate alternative religious perspectives by forbidding them from responding critically to mistaken and uninformed statements about evolution. (Freiler v. Tangipahoa Parish Board of Educ.) * The courts have closely scrutinized attempts to infuse religious perspectives into public school curriculum. (Edwards -- "The Court has been particularly vigilant in monitoring compliance with the Establishment Clause in elementary and secondary schools."). WHAT YOU CAN DO: Contact your Representative and urge them to VOTE AGAINST HB 2585! Time is of the essence, Speaking up is essential. Please contact your elected officials today. Thank you! To read the bill, see: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/legtext/44leg/2r/bills/hb2585p.htm To learn how to contact your representative, see: http://www.azleg.state.az.us/members/house.htm Time is of the essence, Speaking out is essential. Please contact your elected officials today. Thank you! Ann Mulligan States Legislative Coordinator Americans United for Separation of Church and State 518 C Street, NE Washington, DC 20002 202-466-3234 x 232 - phone 202-466-2587 - fax [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.au.org
