The Knoxville, Tennessee school board is on the verge of banning a high school biology textbook for being offensive to the creationist viewpoint.
Kurt Zimmermann, a Farragut High School parent, filed a complaint in December about the textbook's characterization of creationism as a "Biblical myth." (The reference comes in a section of the book that discusses the political and cultural history of the concept of evolution.) A Farragut High School review committee made up of three teachers, a student, and a parent considered Zimmermann's complaint and concluded that the textbook was "appropriate." Zimmerman appealed to the school board, setting the stage for Wednesday's collision of politics, religion, and science.
…
"I think it is offensive," [board member Cindy Buttry] said of the book's contrast of evolution and creationism. "I take exception to the fact that it's not presented as theory, it doesn't state that it's theory, it presents it almost as, well, a fact. 'This is the way it is.'"
Nearing a vote to ban the book, a procedural maneuver by the chair delayed any action until next month. Stay tuned.
