From NCSE’s Evolution Education Update, July 30, 2010
(Editor’s note- Given Oklahoma’s new law allowing the teaching of the Bible in public school, it may be time to once again review what is legal and appropriate when teaching about religion in K-12 Public Schools.)
It is wrong to teach creation science or intelligent design in the science classroom, according to the American Academy of Religion. In its “Guidelines for Teaching About Religion in K‐12 Public Schools in the United States,” issued in April 2010, the Academy poses the question “Can creation science or intelligent design be taught in schools?” and answers (p. 21, emphasis in the original):
Yes, but NOT in science classes. Creation science and intelligent design represent worldviews that fall outside of the realm of science that is defined as (and limited to) a method of inquiry based on gathering observable and measurable evidence subject to specific principles of reasoning. Creation science, intelligent design, and other worldviews that focus on speculation regarding the origins of life represent another important and relevant form of human inquiry that is appropriately studied in literature or social sciences courses. Such study, however, MUST include a diversity of worldviews representing a variety of religious and philosophical perspectives and must avoid privileging one view as more legitimate than others.
The American Academy of Religion is a learned society and professional association of teachers and research scholars, with over 10,000 members who teach in over 1000 colleges, universities, seminaries, and schools in North America and abroad. The Academy is dedicated to furthering knowledge of religion and religious institutions in all their forms and manifestations.
For the AAR’s Guidelines (PDF), visit:
http://www.aarweb.org/Publications/Online_Publications/Curriculum_Guidelines/AARK-12CurriculumGuidelines.pdf