09.22.06
MCFS Weighs in On DeVos and ID
The Livingston Press and Argus newspaper has a report on gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos and his now-public position on teaching intelligent design along with evolution in public school science classrooms. Included in the article was a reaction from MCFS President Robert Pennock:
Robert T. Pennock, president of Michigan Citizens for Science, agreed.
“How could Michigan students compete in the life sciences, so important to our economy, if DeVos has them learn pseudoscience?” he asked. “A federal judge appointed by President Bush ruled just last year that intelligent design creationism is ’sectarian religion masquerading as science,’ so including it in the public schools is unconstitutional. DeVos is not only recommending that Michigan schools abandon real science, but that they break the law as well.”
This is a very important point that the public needs to understand. By encouraging local school districts to incorporate intelligent design into their science curriculum, DeVos is inviting them into a Dover Trap. In that Federal court case last year, the Dover Area School District ended up with a legal bill in excess of $1 million dollars after going ahead with an ID policy against the advice of their own attorney. Every relevant court precedent is strongly against DeVos’ position and it is irresponsible for the state government to encourage local school districts to do what the Federal courts have already declared unconstitutional and risk their financial well being in the process.