creationismWhat is it about the South and teaching creationism in school? Here comes another one:

The Livingston Parish School Board will begin exploring the possibility of incorporating the teaching of “creationism” in the public school system’s science classes.

During the board’s meeting Thursday, several board members expressed an interest in the teaching of creationism, an alternative to the study of the theory of evolution, in Livingston Parish public school classrooms.

Benton said that under provisions of the Science Education Act enacted last year by the Louisiana Legislature, schools can present what she termed “critical thinking and creationism” in science classes.

Board Member David Tate quickly responded: “We let them teach evolution to our children, but I think all of us sitting up here on this School Board believe in creationism. Why can’t we get someone with religious beliefs to teach creationism?”

Fellow board member Clint Mitchell responded, “I agree … you don’t have to be afraid to point out some of the fallacies with the theory of evolution. Teachers should have the freedom to look at creationism and find a way to get it into the classroom.”

(source)

This “Science Education Act” is basically a way to legalize a rape of the scientific process to get creationism into schools under the guise of “critical thinking”…  My ass. Basically, it’s a shortcut to give religious mythology a way into the classroom without requiring any evidence, testable theories, peer-reviewed research, or any science at all, actually.

This offense against reason and science reminds me of a similar case of fundamentalist Christians imposing their religious beliefs through school board actions. In Dover, Pennsylvania, the crisis came when Intelligent Design was touted as real science and worthy of special teaching time in the classroom. The court case is spectacular, and a victory for science in schools.

Nova ran a  great documentary piece on the Kitzmiller vs. Dover case. You can watch it all right here:

Judgment Day: Intelligent Design on Trial

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-404729062613200911

So what should happen in Louisiana? Is the Science Education Act something that could be repealed? What will happen to those schools? Will we be able to achieve another Dover victory in Livingston Parish?