Genesis in the classroom
by David Benkof
Jerusalem Post (Israel), p. 16
November 27, 2008
Evolution and creation rely on two different knowledge disciplines
The creation/evolution debate in the United States has pitted traditionalists (including many Orthodox Jews) against those who embrace the separation of church and state (including many liberal Jews). But there is a way to teach both creation and evolution in public schools that can be embraced by people on both sides of the controversy.
In the 1987 US Supreme Court case of Edwards v. Aguillard, in a 7-2 decision, the justices ruled that the teaching of creationism in public schools violated the First Amendment ban on an establishment of religion. Ever since, secularists (then and now a minority nationally) have known that the ruling meant traditionally religious parents would not have their views represented in public schools. Did they ever pause to ask, “Wait, this seems unfair. How can we be respectful of everyone’s ideas without violating the Constitution?” No way. Instead their reaction was in effect, “Whoopee! Now we can teach America’s young people the Truth, no matter what nonsense they learn at home and in church.”
