Creationism bill gains traction

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WLFI) - Senate Bill 89, deemed the 'creationism' bill, was written to allow school corporations to teach the theory of creationism in public schools.

After making it out of a Senate Education committee and passing through the Indiana Senate by a 28-22 vote, the bill is now awaiting debate in the Indiana house. Area Republican State Senators Ron Alting and Brandt Hershman both voted in favor of the bill, Republican Senator Phil Boots voted against.

The lines have been drawn boldly between those who feel creation theory has a place in science curriculum, and those that don't.

"Creation Science is not a science, but a specific expression of a specific religion. The religion is Christianity, and the expression of that is fundamentalist Christianity," said John Staver, Co-director of the Purdue College of Education.

"I think it's a disservice to our public school children to at least have that exposed to them along with evolution. So this does nothing to the current teaching of evolution. So this just presents them another view for them to consider for kids in school," said Republican Dennis Kruse, the bill's author.

Before leaving the Senate, the bill was amended to allow school corporations to choose to teach several various theories of the origin of life, including theories from Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism and scientology. It's not something the bill's writer, Republican Senator Dennis Kruse, said he originally intended while writing the legislation.

"It wasn't something I initiated and I wanted, but it does open the door. I think for the potential of allowing all religious views to be taught. To make it so it might stand up even better in a court challenge," said Kruse in a phone interview on Wednesday.

"They've simply multiplied the problem. Instead of teaching one specific religion in science class, they're now proposing to teach several specific religions in science class," said Staver

Staver had such strong feelings against the legislation, even lending his voice to the committee debate last week.