Atheist group forces U.S. school district to ban showing of creationist video

A group of atheists has forced a public school district to ban the showing of a creationist video, alleging in its complaint that the showing of the video in school is unlawful.

The Freedom From Religion Foundation (FFRF) sent a letter to Superintendent Dan McMinimee of the Jeffco Public Schools in Golden, Colorado after it received a complaint from a parent about a teacher who showed students the video "Unlocking the Mystery of Life."

The FFRF said science teacher Carl Christianssen showed the video, which was endorsed by the Campus Crusade for Christ, to his class at the Dakota Ridge High School.

The video, it said, teaches that the universe "can only be explained by intelligent design."

FFRF complained that "teaching creationism or any of its offshoots, such as intelligent design, in a public school is unlawful, because creationism is not based in fact."

"The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down the teaching of 'scientific creationism' in public schools," FFRF staff attorney Andrew Seidel told McMinimee. "Federal courts consistently reject creationism and its ilk in public schools."

On the site Answers in Genesis, Dr. Terry Mortenson defended the young-earth creationists' belief that "the creation days of Genesis 1 were six literal (24-hour) days, which occurred 6,000–12,000 years ago."

The creationists believe that 2,300 to 3,300 years before Christ, the surface of the earth was changed by Noah's flood, which was responsible for most rock layers and fossils.

"Genesis is history, not poetry, parable, prophetic vision, or mythology. This is seen in the Hebrew verbs used in Genesis 1, the fact that Genesis 1-11 has the same characteristics of historical narrative as in Genesis 12-50, most of Exodus, much of Numbers, Joshua, 1 and 2 Kings, etc. (which are discernibly distinct from the characteristics of Hebrew poetry, parable, or prophetic vision), and the way the other biblical authors and Jesus treat Genesis 1–11 (as literal history)," Mortenson wrote.

He said the order of creation in Genesis 1 contradicts the evolution theory, adding that "the Bible says the earth was created before the sun and stars, just the opposite of the big bang theory."

In his letter to FFRF, McMinimee said the district staff members have developed approved list of videos for curriculum content.

"The video was not on our approved list, and, therefore, we have taken remedial actions designed to ensure that this video is not shown again," he said.