Suit Claims Pro-Evolution Materials Online Violate Establishment Clause

In a reversal of usual roles, yesterday the Pacific Justice Institute announced that a parent, Jeanne Caldwell, is filing a federal lawsuit against the University of California at Berkeley and the National Science Foundation over religious statements on the “Understanding Evolution” website that was created with more than $500,000 in federal funding to promote the teaching of evolution. The website directs teachers to statements by seventeen denominations and groups that adhere to the doctrine that there is no conflict between their religious beliefs and evolution. World Net Daily reported today that the website also suggests various classroom activities that use religion to promote the teaching of evolution. The lawsuit alleges that through the website, the state and federal governments are promoting religious beliefs to minor school children in violation of the First Amendment.