AFA of PA ACTION ALERT: Trial of the York County Dover Area School District Begins on Monday, September 26

 

AMERICAN FAMILY ASSOCIATION OF PENNSYLVANIA

ACTION ALERT

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Franklin, PA   16323

Phone:  1.814.271.9078   FAX:  1.814.432.0931

http://www.afaofpa.org

 

AFA of PA ACTION ALERT     

 

PRAYER REQUEST:  Trial of the York County Dover Area School District Begins on Monday, September 26.

 

September 24, 2005

 

Last October the Dover Area School District’s board voted to require the reading of a statement the first day of 9^th grade Biology class.  The statement, in a nutshell, says that evolution is simply a theory and there are other theories out there, one of which is intelligent design.  Parents could opt out their children from hearing the one minute statement if they felt that it was too offensive.  Some, in fact, did opt out their children.  Others decided to contact the ACLU and sue the district for violating the First Amendment by teaching creationism. 

 

The ‘offensive’ statement reads as follows:

 

"The Pennsylvania Academic Standards require students to learn about Darwin's Theory of Evolution and eventually to take a test of which evolution is a part. Because Darwin's Theory is a theory, it continues to be tested as new evidence is discovered.  The Theory is not a fact.  Gaps in the Theory exist for which there is no evidence.  A theory is defined as a well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observation.
Intelligent Design is an explanation of the origin of life that differs from Darwin's view.  The reference book, Of Pandas and People, is available For students who might be interested in gaining an understanding of what Intelligent Design actually involves. With respect to any theory, students are encouraged to keep an open mind.  The school leaves the discussion of the Origins of Life to individual students and their families.  As a Standards-driven district, class instruction focuses upon preparing students to achieve proficiency on Standards-based assessments."

 

Several points need to be made at this point:

1.)    The Biology curriculum has NOT changed.  They are still teaching evolution as is required by state law and are not teaching creationism or even intelligent design!

2.)    No Child Left Behind encourages the teaching of both sides of a controversial issue – this amendment thanks to our own Senator Rick Santorum!

3.)    Several copies of the book Of Pandas and People were donated to the school library, no tax dollars were spent in purchasing them. 

4.)    In August even Senator Arlen Specter said in response to a question concerning intelligent design, “My own instincts are to teach everything and let people take their choices.  My instinct is not to object to people hearing all sides of all issues, no matter how much I disagree with them."  Unfortunately, he also interjected that he agreed with Darwin! 

5.)    Is this not part of academic freedom?  What is the ACLU afraid of?

 

The trial begins in Harrisburg on Monday, September 26 and will probably go through October.  The outcome of the trial will have national ramifications.  The media is already circling like vultures!  The judge just turned down Court TV’s request to be in the courtroom!

 

ACTION NEEDED: 

 

1.)  A prayer request has come in to pray for the board members as they face this ordeal.  Pray for their attorneys with the Thomas More Law Center and for those who will be testifying.  Pray that the truth will be revealed and that it will prevail.  Pray that the judge will see that the so-called line of separation between church and state has not been crossed.  This is an issue of academic freedom.  Please ask others to pray for the outcome of this trial also.

 

2.)  The trial will be taking place right in the middle of the board’s re-election campaign.  Please visit their website at http://www.doverfirst.net for additional information. 

 

3.) Sign our online petition to Protect Traditional Marriage and encourage our legislators to allow Pennsylvanians to vote on a marriage amendment defining marriage as between one man and one woman.  Click to Download Petition.  You will need the free Adobe Reader to access the petition. 

 

4.)  Feel free to forward this alert to other concerned Pennsylvanians.  If this alert is being forwarded to you by a friend, please feel free to sign up by sending an e-mail to info@afaofpa.org  

 

5.)  Please consider supporting the ongoing work of the American Family Association of Pennsylvania.  Make an online donation.

 

In His service,

 

Diane Gramley

President

American Family Association of PA

 

 

AFA of PA encourages Christians, through education, to become involved in pro-family issues in their community, state and the nation.