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Abstract Detail

Yes, Bobby, evolution is real!

Louisiana's Love Affair with Creationism.

In 1981, the Louisiana legislature passed the "Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and Evolution-Science Act," requiring that creationism be taught alongside evolution in public school science classes. In 1987 the U.S. Supreme Court struck the law down in Edwards v. Aguillard as an unconstitutional violation of the separation of church and state. Immediately after this ruling, a small group of creationists rebranded themselves in order to continue promoting creationism in the guise of "intelligent design" (ID). Led by the Discovery Institute (DI), a Seattle think tank, ID has become the most troublesome form of creationism in the U.S. Working through the Louisiana Family Forum, a Religious Right organization, DI successfully promoted the Louisiana Science Education Act (LSEA), a variation of DI's own model bill that Bobby Jindal signed into law on June 25, 2008. Using "critical thinking" as a ruse to conceal the law's true purpose, the LSEA permits public school science teachers to supplement classroom instruction using creationist materials. Despite efforts by student Zack Kopplin and the Louisiana Coalition for Science to have it repealed, the LSEA remains in effect. Louisiana is now a bellwether state for DI's promotion of its model legislation. In 2012, Tennessee followed suit by enacting an early version of the 2008 Louisiana bill, and DI continues its aggressive efforts to secure passage in additional states.

Broader Impacts:

1 - Southeastern Louisiana University, Department of History and Political Science, Slu 10484, Hammond, LA, 70402, Usa

Keywords:
none specified

Presentation Type: Symposium or Colloquium Presentation
Session: SY04
Location: Grand Ballroom A/Riverside Hilton
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2013
Time: 2:00 PM
Number: SY04002
Abstract ID:85
Candidate for Awards:None