Humanists Focus Spotlight on Senate Funding of Creationism
September 26, 2007
Today the American Humanist
Association brought attention to a little-noticed earmark in the Departments
of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2008 (H.R.3043). Senator David Vitter (R-Louisiana) has
called for federal funds to be set aside for the Louisiana Family Forum "to
develop a plan to promote better science education." But such language is
decidedly misleading to humanists who note that this religious organization
has pushed "origins science" in Louisiana public schools and challenged the
teaching of evolution.
"The Louisiana Family Forum's idea of science education is nothing but Bible
study in the garb of science," said Roy Speckhardt, executive director of
the American Humanist Association. "Not only would it be unconstitutional
under the First Amendment for Congress to fund such a program, what is the
new Congress thinking in entertaining this suggestion to lend creationism
scientific legitimacy? This kind of nonsense wouldn't fly in any other
Westernized country."
"Though Congress hasn't passed any laws to explicitly fund George W. Bush's
faith-based initiatives, this pork barrel spending would be an example of
Congress doing it on their own," said Mel Lipman, president of the American
Humanist Association. "We humanists had hoped that recent changes in
Congress would have solidified support for Thomas Jefferson's Wall of
church-state separation. But if this bill passes with this earmark intact,
the American people will be betrayed."
Posted on the Web site of the Louisiana Family Forum are a number of
creationist articles challenging Darwin and modern science. The
organization's online mission statement declares a purpose "To persuasively
present biblical principles in the centers of influence on issues affecting
the family through research, communication and networking."
According to the Louisiana Times-Picayune, until recently the group's Web
site "contained a 'battle plan to combat evolution,' which called the theory
a 'dangerous' concept that 'has no place in the classroom.' The document was
removed after a reporter's inquiry."
"We're sending a signal to those in office that we'll be watching this, and
other efforts to misuse taxpayer dollars to fund religion, very closely,"
said Speckhardt. "This will be a key test as to whether an election-year
Senate has become too willing to initiate legislation with a sectarian
religious bias."
