Freethought Today, June/July 1996


In The News

Evolution Deleted From School Texts

A Georgia school board voted in May to remove a chapter on evolution from the new science textbooks after a Cobb County parent complained that the "evolution theories" of the proposed fourth grade textbook go against his family's religious views.

The chapter describes various theories of how the earth was formed 4.6 billion years ago and mentions the "big bang" theory of how the universe began some 15 billion years ago.

Court To Take On Gay/Atheist Exclusion

The California Supreme Court granted a review of two cases in June that will decide if the Boy Scouts of America can exclude gays and atheists.

Justice Thomas Crosby said that although the Boy Scout oath requires members to pledge their "duty to God and my country," the Scouts are not a religious organization and have no legal justification for discrimination.

California's Unruh Act forbids discrimination by "business establishments" in a wide range of categories, including religion and sexual orientation.

In February, the 4th District Court of Appeals in Santa Ana ruled that the Scouts were covered by the Unruh Act and could not exclude youths because of religious beliefs.

County To Pay $173G For 'God' Sign Fight

U.S. Judge Richard Mills ordered Illinois' Montgomery County to remove its "The World Needs God" sign on the former courthouse and pay nearly all $173,000 in attorney fees and other expenses of the four-year court battle.

Atheist Inmate Stops AA-like Program

The New York Court of Appeals ruled in June that state corrections officers have no right attempting to force a person to participate in a religiously- laced rehabilitative program as a condition of incarceration.

The court cited references in the materials of an AA-like program to belief in god and a "Higher Being." The prisoner dropped out of the program in 1991 because he found them objectionable because of his atheistic views.

In a 5-2 decision the court said that linking the substance-abuse program with the right to have conjugal visits amounted to an unconstitutional endorsement by government of religion.

Christians Hand Out Voter Guides

Christian Coalition leader Ralph Reed said in May that the tax-exempt group plans to distribute 45 million conservative voter guides in the 10 days leading up to the presidential election in November.

The voter guides list candidates' positions on issues important to the organization, such as antiabortion and school prayer.