A Freedom From Religion Foundation complaint about a creationist movie has made sure that it will not be shown again in a Colorado public school.
Carl Christianssen, a science teacher at Dakota Ridge High School, showed a video in class called "Unlocking the Mysteries of Life" that has been endorsed by the Campus Crusade for Christ. The video unequivocally endorses the false opinion that the natural universe "can only be explained by intelligent design."
Teaching creationism or any of its offshoots, such as intelligent design, in a public school is unlawful, because creationism is not based in fact, FFRF reminded the Jeffco Public Schools system. Courts have routinely found that such teachings are religious, despite new and imaginative labels given to these alternatives to evolution.
"The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down the teaching of 'scientific creationism' in public schools," FFRF Staff Attorney Andrew Seidel wrote to Jeffco Public Schools Superintendent Dan McMinimee. "Federal courts consistently reject creationism and its ilk in public schools."
FFRF emphasized that evolution, like gravity, is a scientific fact and that teaching intelligent design alongside it is like teaching astrology with astronomy or alchemy with chemistry. FFRF asked the school district to conduct an immediate investigation.
Jeffco Public Schools proved to be responsive to FFRF's concerns. School officials confirmed FFRF's account and stated that they're making certain the video is removed from the classroom.
"The district staff members develop approved list of videos for curriculum content," McMinimee replied to Seidel. "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."
FFRF welcomes the assurance.
"Unscientific mumbo-jumbo like intelligent design has no place in a public school classroom," says FFRF Co-President Dan Barker. "It doesn't even bear a passing resemblance to reality, and so should not be taught to our students."
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is dedicated to the separation of state and church, with nearly 24,000 nonreligious members nationwide, including almost 700 in Colorado.
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