Louisiana School Board Rolls Over

A story in the Louisiana Advocate reports that language was stripped from the new state law intended to "promote critical thinking" involving creationism. Stripped was the following paragraph:

Materials that teach creationism or intelligent design or that advance the religious belief that a supernatural being created humankind shall be prohibited for use in science classes.

Some people were not happy:

Patsy Peebles, of Baton Rouge, a veteran biology teacher, pleaded with the committee to leave in the wording, which was recommended by the state Department of Education.

Peebles was a member of the advisory panel that made policy recommendations earlier.

Peebles said specific bans on creationism and intelligent design materials were needed so that teachers are “very clear on what they can and cannot do.”

But state Sen. Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa and sponsor of the bill, said the wording should come out.

Nevers noted the law did not single out creationism or intelligent design and that state regulations should not either.

Nevers has been responsible for several bills promoting creationism or ID. I see lawsuits on the horizon.