Americans United for Separation of Church and State Criticize Bush�s Support for Teaching Creationism

August 2, 2005

Source: Americans United for Separation of Church and State

http://www.au.org/site/News2?JServSessionIdr006=t6blkj3051.app7b&abbr=pr&page=NewsArticle&id=7497&security=1002&news_iv_ctrl=1241

On August 2, 2005 Americans United for Separation of Church and State issued a statement by Rev. Barry W. Lynn, the organization's executive director. "President George W. Bush’s endorsement of teaching 'intelligent design' in the public schools is irresponsible and undermines sound science education... During a White House interview with a group of reporters yesterday, Bush was asked whether 'intelligent design,' the latest version of 'creationism,' should be taught in public school science courses. Bush told the reporters that he favors teaching intelligent design 'so people can understand what the debate is about... I think part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought,' Bush said. 'You’re asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, the answer is yes.'

The Rev. Barry W. Lynn, executive director of Americans United, called the president’s comments uninformed and reckless... 'His irresponsible comments will likely score big points with Religious Right leaders, but they undermine the teaching of sound science in the nation’s public schools,' Lynn said."