Creationism/Intelligent Design (ID) does not belong in the public school system. Creationism/ID is a tenet of the Christian religion. The First Amendment to the United States Constitution states, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”. Belief, or lack thereof is not at issue; what is at issue is the violation of the Constitution, specifically the Establishment Clause. The government is not supposed to endorse any religious views whatsoever. Creationism/ID is a way for religious institutions to say maybe science is wrong, and belongs in religious institutions, not in our public schools. By allowing schools to teach creationism /ID, the State of Indiana is officially endorsing Christianity. In addition to being a direct violation of the Constitution of the United States, this is a direct violation of any public school student who does not adhere to the Christian faith. If the State of Indiana passes Senate Bill 0089[i], it will be tantamount to the official state sponsored endorsement of Christianity. As a concerned citizen, I expect the government to defend the Constitution of the United States, and the rights of ALL of her citizens, rather than allowing the propagation of creation myths (and religious ideology) in our public schools.

* To argue Creationism/ID is an equal alternative to the Scientific Theory of Evolution is a fallacy of the greatest magnitude.

* To say Creationism is a viable alternative to the theory of Evolution is equivalent to saying that the Sun revolves around the earth, instead of the Earth revolving around the Sun.

* Creationism is designed to cast doubt upon the proven scientific theory of Evolution, and it is also a subtle assault on the scientific method. It is a Christian ideology, and has no place in our public classrooms or curriculums.

In conclusion, this proposed legislation, in addition to being a blatant violation of the guaranteed separation between church and state, along with the Establishment Clause of the Constitution, is a direct violation of the rights of everyone who does not believe in the Christian idea of intelligent design. It is discriminatory and scientifically unsound. I strongly urge the Indiana State Legislature to review the precedent-setting cases; Edwards v. Aguillard[ii], as well as Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District[iii].

We, the undersigned, ask that you stop this dangerous piece of legislation, which can serve only to create a crack in the wall that provides the freedoms our nation’s founders fought for, and created this great nation based upon.





Please, STOP THIS BILL.

Thank you.

[i] http://www.in.gov/legislative/bills/2012/IN/IN0089.1.html

[ii] http://laws.findlaw.com/us/482/578.html ;

[iii] http://www.pamd.uscourts.gov/kitzmiller/kitzmiller_342.pdf