Selman
Appeal: Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the Cobb County
evolution "warning label" come from?
The three sentences of the Cobb County evolution disclaimer are similar
to sentences found in evolution warning labels passed by the Alabama
State Board of Education in 1995 and 2001 (see the history of the
Alabama evolution disclaimers at: http://www.alscience.org/disclaimer.html).
Since 1995, Alabama has been the only state where evolution warning
labels have been mandated in public school biology textbooks statewide.
The Alabama evolution disclaimer was passed in 1995 after heavy
promotion by the creationist Alabama Eagle Forum, which explicitly
promoted it as an "Evolution Warning Label" (see "Evolution Warning
Labels for Alabama Texts", Eagle Forum Education Reporter, December
1995, http://www.eagleforum.org/educate/1995/dec95/biology.html).
The Alabama evolution warning label has been progressively weakened; in
2001, much of the antievolution language was replaced with blander
language, and in 2005 references to evolution being "controversial"
were removed. The Alabama Attorney General has filed an amicus brief in
support of the Cobb County School District appeal, on the grounds that
even their current bland disclaimer will be in constitutional jeopardy
if the verdict in Selman is upheld.
Why is teaching evolution
important?
Students will be expected to understand evolution in any college-level
biology class. Depriving them of knowledge they will be expected to
possess as they pursue further education is a disservice. Also, as our
society becomes more dependent on science and technology, a
scientifically literate public will become even more of a necessity.
Because of evolution's central role in the life sciences, a proper
understanding of this theory is essential for scientific literacy.
Where can I go for more
information?
Contact the National Center for Science Education (NCSE). NCSE is the
only organization in the country dedicating all its resources to
defending the teaching of evolution in the public schools. We work with
scientists, teachers, parents, clergy and citizens from diverse
backgrounds on the grassroots level who are actively engaged in
protecting evolution in the science curriculum and keeping creationism
out. Our phone number is (510) 601-0179.
Visit our web site for more information; our URL is http://www.ncseweb.org/.
Some links that we have found especially useful are listed below. NCSE
is not responsible for off-site links.
Background information on
evolution and intelligent design/creationism
The Creation/Evolution Continuum
http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/articles/9213_the_creationevolution_continu_12_7_2000.asp
A good overview of "intelligent design" (offsite)
http://www.talkdesign.org/introfaq.html
Evolving Banners at the Discovery Institute
http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/articles/8325_evolving_banners_at_the_discov_8_29_2002.asp
Leaked version of Wedge Document:
http://www.stephenjaygould.org/ctrl/crsc_wedge.html
(The "Wedge Document" is a strategic plan written by the Discovery
Institute Center for the Renewal of Science and Culture written in the
late 1990's. It was leaked onto the web, and widely noted that their
two governing goals were "To defeat scientific materialism and its
destructive moral, cultural and political legacies", and "To replace
materialistic explanations with the theistic understanding that nature
and human beings are created by God.")
The "Wedge Document": "So What?" -- Discovery Institute -- March 1, 2004
http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/index.php?command=view&program=CSC%20Responses&id=2101
Project Steve -- parody (but true) of the Discovery Institute list of
300 scientists doubting Darwin
http://www.ncseweb.org/article.asp?category=18
NCSE Compilation on the so-called "Santorum Amendment"
http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/articles/7202_ncse_compilation_on_santorum_a_6_13_2002.asp
Eight Major Court Decisions against Teaching Creationism as Science
http://www.ncseweb.org/resources/articles/3747_8_major_court_decisions_agains_2_15_2001.asp
Voices for Evolution -- A long list of groups (scientific, religious,
and civil liberty) opposed to creationist interference in evolution
education
AAAS Board Resolution on "Intelligent Design Theory"
http://www.aaas.org/news/releases/2002/1106id2.shtml
National Academy of Sciences on evolution and creationism/intelligent
design
http://nationalacademies.org/evolution/
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