[olePigeon]

http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg19926643.300

Their state legislature passed a law -- AGAIN -- to force teachers to teach Intelligent Design and Creationism next to Evolution and Gravity. That state is seriously f**ked up.

You can be religious all you want, but keep it out of the schools. This is absolutely ridiculous.

[turtle777]

I disagree.

Teaching about Intelligent Design and Creationism could be done in a matter-of-fact manner, stating what it entails. It doesn't have to endorse that particular faith and push the value system on the student.

-t

[Uncle Doof]

I think someone needs to go read their first amendment again.

Here is it, to save you bothering to go look it up:

Congress shall make no law especting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Is the Louisiana state legislature the Congress of the United States of America? No it isn't.

[BRussell]

Originally Posted by Uncle Doof 

I think someone needs to go read their first amendment again.

Here is it, to save you bothering to go look it up:

Is the Louisiana state legislature the Congress of the United States of America? No it isn't.

The First Amendment applies to the states as well.

[Uncle Doof]

Originally Posted by BRussell 

The First Amendment applies to the states as well.

Well why doesn't it say "Congress or state legislature shall make no law..." then?

Were the people who wrote it illiterate or something? Or are the people who're reading it wilfully illiterate?

[Chongo]

Many of the original 13 states had state supported churches. Up until 1833 (Barron v. Baltimore) the bill of rights applied to the federal level only.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incorpo...l_of_Rights%29
I was taught, in a public school of all places, that religion was the word they used, where we use the word denomination for now. They (the founding fathers)did not want the Church of England, the Roman Catholic, or the Lutheran Church etc., as the official church of the US.

more on this.

http://books.google.com/books?id=H92...lepage#PPA3,M1

[Uncle Doof]

Wait. So states can't make up their own rules when it comes to the First Amendment, but can make up their own rules when it comes to the Second?

[BRussell]

Originally Posted by Uncle Doof 

Well why doesn't it say "Congress or state legislature shall make no law..." then?

Were the people who wrote it illiterate or something? Or are the people who're reading it wilfully illiterate?

Because they originally only applied to the federal government. But laws can change. You may remember that we had a little problem over here about 150 years ago dealing with some states' views of individual rights...

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by Uncle Doof 

Wait. So states can't make up their own rules when it comes to the First Amendment, but can make up their own rules when it comes to the Second?

States can make up their own rules & laws completely contradictory to the U.S. Constitution and Federal laws. It's their right as governing bodies. One example is how states deal with marijuana. In California, it's legal to use marijuana as long as you're not selling it. However, it's made very clear that it's a felony for any amount of marijuana if the Federal government presses charges.

The state government can pass a law forcing children to adopt religious beliefs, as they did in Louisiana. However, the Supreme Court will most likely view that law as a violation of the Constitution and the U.S. Department of Education will force them to change it.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

I disagree.

Teaching about Intelligent Design and Creationism could be done in a matter-of-fact manner, stating what it entails. It doesn't have to endorse that particular faith and push the value system on the student.

-t

That's exactly what law was designed for. The Christians in this case passed the law so they can teach their faith to students.

IT IS NOT SCIENCE. It has absolutely no ing place in the science classroom. NONE. That is the only matter-of-fact position on the subject. This law is 100% about instituting faith-based doctrine in the classroom.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

I disagree.

Teaching about Intelligent Design and Creationism could be done in a matter-of-fact manner, stating what it entails. It doesn't have to endorse that particular faith and push the value system on the student.

-t

You can't teach about intelligent design in a matter-of-fact manner. Whether or not it's actually true, it's sorely lacking in scientific facts to support it — it's a religious belief. This is what the Flying Spaghetti Monster was created to parody. If you're going to teach intelligent design, why not teach Spaghetti Monsterism?

[BRussell]

Originally Posted by olePigeon 

States can make up their own rules & laws completely contradictory to the U.S. Constitution and Federal laws. It's their right as governing bodies. One example is how states deal with marijuana. In California, it's legal to use marijuana as long as you're not selling it. However, it's made very clear that it's a felony for any amount of marijuana if the Federal government presses charges.

The state government can pass a law forcing children to adopt religious beliefs, as they did in Louisiana. However, the Supreme Court will most likely view that law as a violation of the Constitution and the U.S. Department of Education will force them to change it.

How do you square your first paragraph with the second?

States can pass some laws that contradict federal laws, e.g., my state doesn't have an insanity verdict but the federal government does. That's fine, and doesn't violate anything. But in some cases states are not allowed to contradict federal law, e.g., the First Amendment. States cannot pass laws that violate the First Amendment.

[Jawbone54]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

You can't teach about intelligent design in a matter-of-fact manner. Whether or not it's actually true, it's sorely lacking in scientific facts to support it...

Same with evolution.

[Dakar the Fourth]

Originally Posted by Jawbone54 

Same with evolution.

Heeeeere we goooo

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by BRussell 

How do you square your first paragraph with the second?

States can pass some laws that contradict federal laws, e.g., my state doesn't have an insanity verdict but the federal government does. That's fine, and doesn't violate anything. But in some cases states are not allowed to contradict federal law, e.g., the First Amendment. States cannot pass laws that violate the First Amendment.

They can pass laws, and they do. The Civil Rights movement was in part a reaction to state laws that were contradictory to the Constitution.

[olePigeon]

Originally Posted by Jawbone54 

Same with evolution.

You're not serious, are you?

[paul w]

Really, it is just a theory, you know...

[lpkmckenna]