ACLU backs off Intelligent Design Lawsuit

[Khephra]

(The only source I can find so far is from the opposition to the ACLU. Please keep that in mind when reading this.)

(PRESS RELEASE...posted in full)

Thomas More Law Center: ACLU Abandons Early Effort To Stop School District From Making Students Aware of Controversy Surrounding Evolution

1/6/2005 3:22:00 PM


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To: State Desk

Contact: Brian Burch of the Thomas More Law Center, 734-827-2001

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Jan. 6 /U.S. Newswire/ -- After several depositions of Dover Area School District board members and superintendent, and reviewing documents and board meeting minutes, ACLU lawyers notified a federal judge in Pennsylvania yesterday that they would not seek to stop the school district from making ninth grade biology students aware of the gaps and problems in Darwin's theory of evolution and of alternative theories, including the theory of intelligent design.

The theory of intelligent design, which is endorsed by a growing number of credentialed scientists, helps explain the complex, information-rich structures observed by biologists. The ACLU along with Americans United for the Separation of Church and State filed a federal lawsuit in December challenging the Dover school policy on the grounds that the intelligent design theory was inherently religious.

The school district is being represented by the Thomas More Law Center, a national public interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Mich.

Richard Thompson, president and chief counsel of the Law Center commented, "The ACLU pull back is clearly a good sign for the Dover School District. After several days of depositions it became clear that they simply did not have a strong enough case to ask that the policy be blocked. Clearly, if they thought they could have succeeded they would have asked the court to stop the policy before it was implemented. "

Because of the new policy, students will be read a one-minute statement at the beginning of their class on evolution explaining that the theory of evolution is a scientific theory that continues to be tested, and that alternative theories such as the theory of intelligent design exist. Teachers will still teach and test students on the theory of evolution according to Pennsylvania Academic Standards.

The Pennsylvania school district is the first district in the country to require teachers to make students aware of the controversy surrounding evolution specifically referring to the theory of intelligent design. The Dover school board voted 6-3 in Oct. 18, 2004 to adopt the new policy. According to polls, Americans overwhelmingly desire to learn more about the scientific evidence for and against Darwin's theory of evolution. Moreover, the Dover School policy is consistent with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, in which Congress encouraged schools to present a full range of scientific views when teaching controversial topics, citing as an example the subject of biological evolution.

The ACLU lawsuit will continue with a trial expected in early summer.

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The Thomas More Law Center defends and promotes the religious freedom of Christians, time-honored family values, and the sanctity of human life through education, litigation, and related activities. It does not charge for its services. The Law Center is supported by contributions from individuals, corporations, and foundations and is recognized by the IRS as a section 501(c)(3) organization. You may reach the Thomas More Law Center at 734- 827-2001 or visit their Web site at http://www.thomasmore.org.

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=41330

[cruadin]

1. The final line of the piece says that....

"The ACLU lawsuit will continue with a trial expected in early summer."

Doesn't that sort of contradict the article headline?
(Or does the headline just mean that the ACLU will not try to pre-empt the new policy before being implemented?)

[Khephra]

2. NO clue

I was hoping someone here with more knowledge of the ACLU would know.

[Trajan]

3. We will so miss you Kheph .....

Damnit ...