Religion Roundup
Evolution Bills Die in Florida Legislature
Associated Press
May 8, 2008
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Hotly debated evolution bills that critics said would inject religious doctrine into public schools in the guise of science have failed to pass the Florida Legislature.
House and Senate supporters, mostly Republicans, were unable to resolve their dispute over two versions of the legislation before the close of the session.
The Senate favored a bill that would have prohibited school officials from punishing teachers who used "scientific information" to challenge evolution. A House bill would have gone further, not just allowing such challenges but requiring that schools teach "critical analysis" of evolution.
The Senate version was based on model legislation advocated by the Discovery Institute, which supports research on intelligent design. That theory holds that life is too complex to have evolved by accident.
Florida Citizens for Science warned that the legislation would lead to a costly court challenge.
Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
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