La. Gov. on Teaching Creationism in School: 'What Are We Scared Of?'
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal recently said that he believes creationism, evolution, and intelligent design should all be taught in the state's public schools so that children may be "exposed to the best facts."
"I believe all our children should be exposed to the best science," Jindal, a Republican, recently told NBC's Hoda Kotb when asked if he believes public schools should teach creationism.
"Bottom line, at the end of the day, we want our kids to be exposed to the best facts. Let's teach them about the big bang theory, let's teach them about evolution ... I've got no problem if a school board, a local school board, says we want to teach our kids about creationism, that people, some people, have these beliefs as well, let's teach them about 'intelligent design,'" Jindal added.
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"I think teach them the best science. Give them the tools so they can make up their own mind, not only in science, but as they learn about other controversial issues, such as global warming or climate change. What're we scared of?"
Gov. Jindal, who is also the chairman of the Republican Governors Association, went on to reference the Louisiana Science Education Act, a bill signed into law in 2008 which allows teachers to "create and foster an environment within public elementary and secondary schools that promotes critical thinking skills, logical analysis, and open and objective discussion of scientific theories being studied including, but not limited to, evolution, the origins of life, global warming, and human cloning."
The act also allows "supplemental textbooks and other instructional materials to help students understand, analyze, critique, and review scientific theories in an objective manner."
Teachers may also supplement additional texts relating to creationism and intelligent design.
Those critical of the LSEA argue that it allows teachers to teach creationism in lieu of science in public school, and is therefore a conflict of church and state.
Currently, political activist Zack Kopplin, 19, is spearheading a campaign which encourages the state to repeal the LSEA.
Kopplin previously said that he believes "creationism confuses students about the nature of science."
Those who support the LSEA argue that it allows teachers coming from a variety of religious backgrounds to freely discuss different theories and controversial issues in the classroom, without reprisal.
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