KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, LouisianaLynn: "science education act likely to lead to very bad science being taught in Louisiana schools"
Reported by: Amanda Ward
Americans United for Separation of Church and State is concerned about what supplemental materials might mean.
Executive Director for Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Rev. Barry Lynn said, "Frankly, I think that this Science Education Act is likely to lead to some very bad science being taught in Louisiana schools. My fear is that we are going to see a lot of anti-evolution books, dvds by fundamentalist Christian groups, opposing evolution and providing information that is not scientific. Then all of this will eventually lead to an expensive law suit, which the state of Louisiana is almost certain to lose."
Meanwhile, Norma Guillory, the Science Director at Calcasieu Parish Schools says the bill as it is written really doesn't change a thing.
"Our legislators obviously don't know that our teachers have always had intellectual freedom to bring in other resources than the text book," Guillory said.
She added, "the text book is not our curriculum. Life is our curriculum. Our students are allowed to discuss creationism, as long as it is supported by scientific knowledge."
Guillory calls Science the body of knowledge and skills, not faith and beliefs.
"Just like gravity isn't a belief--it's a fact, electricity isn't a belief--it's a fact, evolution is a series of facts, scientists have uncovered over the past hundreds of years," she explains.
She says the bill is supporting a particular religious belief that does not belong in a public school Science class.
"That belongs at home, you teach your children your beliefs at home, but it is a possible discussion for Science class because students can learn the difference between facts and beliefs," she said.
Rev. Barry Lynn agrees.
"There are ways to talk about religion in public schools (objectively, through comparative religion classes), but to try to add religion to a science curriculum, is bad science, it's bad education and it's likely to lead to lawsuit," Lynn said.
"I do think that this particular legislature is trying to force religious beliefs into public schools," said Guillory.
Whether it's Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or any other religious belief, Guillory says, "its not
Science."
