Note to Rick Perry: Teaching Creationism in Public Schools is Illegal
Steve Benen makes a good point here, about Rick Perry’s statement that “in Texas we teach both creationism and evolution in our public schools:”
Perry may have no idea what goes on in Texas’ public schools, but if they’re teaching “both creationism and evolution,” they’re violating the law. It’s not even a gray area — the Supreme Court has already struck down a law that called for “balanced treatment for creation-science and evolution-science in public school instruction,” concluding that the law violated the separation of church and state. Teaching religion in science class is illegal under the First Amendment.
I’d also note, however, that Rick Perry knows full well what goes on in Texas’ public schools; in fact, as we’ve been writing about for years at LGF, Perry is responsible for appointing a hardcore young Earth creationist, dentist Don McLeroy, as chairman of the Texas State Board of Education — twice.
Rick Perry’s not just talking when he says schools teach creationism in Texas; he’s an activist who’s been trying with some success to make it happen.
Also see:
Texas Freedom Network: Rick Perry: Politics, Faith and the Culture Wars
Rick Perry Gives Up the Ghost on the ‘Intelligent Design’ Lie
Frank says: