wfn.org | Creation-Evolution Debate Still Issue for Public Schools

["Christian B. Schäffler" <APD_Info_Schweiz@compuserve.com>]

March 5, 1999
Adventist Press Service (APD)
Christian B. Schaeffler, Editor-in-chief
Fax +41-61-261 61 18
APD@stanet.ch
CH-4003 Basel, Switzerland

Creation-Evolution Debate Still an Issue for U.S. Public 
Schools

Silver Spring, Maryland, USA,  [ANN/APD] The debate over 
creation versus evolution is still an education issue in 
public schools, especially the provision of material that 
supports creation.

In the Detroit area, recent press reports document the 
vote of a local state school in Martindale to place anti-
evolution books in the school library. The request for this 
action came from a local church minister who wanted to 
have other positions on this issue available to students, 
saying that they had the right to know more than one side 
of the story.

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 1987 that creationism 
was a religious belief and could not be taught in public 
schools. However opportunities to be aware of alternatives 
to evolution and not to teach the theory as fact have been 
urged in many states, including recent instances in 
Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho and Texas.

"We are firmly committed to the concept that God is 
Creator of the Universe, including our world and 
humanity," says Humberto Rasi, Education director at the 
Seventh-day Adventist Church's World Headquarters in 
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA. "In our schools we of course 
present creation, and discuss evolution theory-but as 
theory, and not as proven fact. I personally believe it is far 
more reasonable and scientific to accept the Biblical 
account of creation than the gradual beginnings and 
development of organisms over millions of years. But I also 
believe it is important to present the evidence and to 
encourage students to make up their minds themselves. 
We are not obscurantists living in the past, but open and 
honest Christians who believe in an intelligent faith." 
[99/06/06]