News | Republican Veep Hopeful Wants "Intelligent Design" Taught in Public Schools

Update 6/20: Gov. Jindal acted on his desire to weaken the teaching of evolution in public schools by signing a Louisiana anti-evolution law. The legislation was promoted by the creationist groups Louisiana Family Forum and Discovery Institute and allows instructors to introduce "supplemental materials" when teaching evolution.

Republican Veep Hopeful Wants "Intelligent Design" Taught in Public Schools

June 17, 2008

Bible stories are appropriately discussed in religious education and comparative religion courses -- not in public school science classrooms.

As Gov. Bobby Jindal climbs the short list of John McCain's potential running mates, his religious views are getting some attention. When asked on CBS's Face the Nation about science education for kids, this rising young star of the GOP (with a B.S. in Biology) said that his Christian beliefs make him an advocate for public schools teaching "intelligent design" in science class alongside evolution. He also implied that "political correctness" -- rather than Constitutional protections separating church and state -- prevents the teaching of "intelligent design" in science classes.

The Secular Coalition for America opposes efforts to place religious doctrine above accurate science education in public schools. This position was upheld by our courts in Kitzmiller v. Dover. Bible stories are appropriately discussed in religious education and comparative religion courses -- not in public school science classrooms.

[Also see: CBS Video | Transcript (.pdf)]