Southern California school board struggles with Intelligent Design decision
EL Tejon — A California school board voted 5-0 to cancel its Intelligent Design philosophy class shortly after voting 3-2 to approve the class, after a Federal Judge decided a Pennsylvania ID class was unconstitutional.
The board was surprised to learn of the class's formation but voted to approve it after a favorable legal opinion was presented. Following a legal challenge from community members, the board rescinded its decision.
Sharon Lemburg, a social studies teacher, soccer coach and minister's wife, was the ID teacher. She defended the class to a local publication writing, "I believe this is the class that the Lord wanted me to teach."
U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III ruled the Dover, Pennsylvania ID class violated the Constitutions Establishment Clause. He opined:
"We find that the secular purposes claimed by the Board amount to a pretext for the Board's real purpose, which was to promote religion in the public school classroom...
"The citizens of the Dover area were poorly served by the members of the Board who voted for the ID Policy. It is ironic that several of these individuals, who so staunchly and proudly touted their religious convictions in public, would time and again lie to cover their tracks and disguise the real purpose behind the ID Policy."
Background
•California school board cancels Intelligent Design class following law suit Associated Press
•Parents group sues school district over Intelligent Design class Associated Press
•California school board approves Intelligent Design class Associated Press
•US judge rejects intelligent design The Boston Globe
•Excerpts From 'Intelligent Design' Ruling Associated Press
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