Every Republican in This Statewide Race Wants Creationism Taught in Public Schools
Science advocates in Texas won a battle last month after the State Board of Education voted to approve new science textbooks that teach evolution. However, they don’t seem to have won the war.
During a debate Thursday, three of the four Republican candidates in the state’s lieutenant governor race said that they think creationism should be taught in public schools, according to The Texas Tribune. While the fourth candidate, Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson, did not specifically state his beliefs on the subject, he later told The Dallas Morning News that he thinks creationism should be taught in schools, just not in science class.
According to the Morning News, none of the candidates referenced the education board’s textbook vote. However, candidates Todd Staples, who is currently serving as the state agriculture commissioner, Senator Dan Patrick and Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst all stressed the importance of religion in the classroom.
“Our students … must really be confused. They go to Sunday School on Sunday and then they go into school on Monday and we tell them they can’t talk about God,” said Patrick, per the Tribune. “I’m sick and tired of a minority in our country who want us to turn our back on God.”
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