Candidate wrong on creationism

While reading the article by Russell Lissau, “All four Dist. 95 candidates back teaching creationism in science classes,” I was shocked to read that candidate Doug Goldberg was quoted as saying, “Clearly, religion in general is a big part of our daily lives as Americans. I believe that allowing a student to be exposed to the theory of creationism is a relevant and reasonable thing to do.”

Although it is true that for many Americans religion is a part of everyday life, America’s Founding Fathers, the First Amendment, and subsequent court cases have made certain that there is one part of daily life where religion plays no part — public schools. I find is very troubling that Goldberg intertwines the teaching of creationism with religion and thinks this justifies teaching it. In fact this justification should yield the opposite result.

Mr. Goldberg openly admits that he has not researched the legal ramifications of the issue. As a law student, I would encourage Mr. Goldberg to take a look at the First Amendment and subsequent Supreme Court cases on teaching creationism in public schools. Furthermore, I would like to hear Mr. Goldberg articulate a plausible secular purpose for teaching creationism, for without a valid secular purpose this should not be taught in public schools in America.

Katherine Ruhl

Long Grove