Montana Minister Challenges Darwinist Monopoly in Local Schools
by Jim Brown and Jenni Parker
March 10, 2004
(AgapePress) - The efforts of a Christian man in Montana have led to a new science policy in local public schools that allows criticisms of the theory of evolution to be taught.Ever since Curtis Brickley with Power of One Ministries held a detailed Powerpoint presentation in December, challenging Charles Darwin's theories on the origin of life and evolution, the small conservative town of Darby has been abuzz. The presentation set off a chain of events -- the most significant being a 3-2 vote by the school board in favor of adopting an objective origins science policy.
Although many defenders of Darwin object to the policy, Brickley says it merely says various lines of evolutionary evidence can be challenged scientifically and should be critically analyzed. "Many, many scientists who are credible, published, peer-reviewed -- responsible scientists -- are giving cause to challenge various aspects of evolution" he notes.
Power of One Ministries' spokesman says for too long, students have been wrongly taught the assumption that there are no supernatural causes, but only natural ones. He applauds the school board's decision to adopt a policy that allows teachers to discuss criticisms of Darwin's theories, and to end the Darwinists' long monopoly of origins science education.
However, some groups and individuals who oppose the policy change, are questioning whether Brickley's campaign to encourage teaching the criticism of the theory of evolution arises less out of scientific concerns and more out of religious ones.
According to Associated Press reports, Montana's Superintendent of Public Instruction, Linda McCulloch, is among those who feel Brickley's efforts may be no more than a thinly disguised push to teach creationism in public classrooms. "That isn't science," she said, adding, "It doesn't matter what you call it. Creationism is not a recognized science."
The education chief also warned that Darby's school system will risk being in violation of the Montana Constitution and jeopardizing its schools' eligibility for federal funding if the district adopts a policy and curriculum that brings creationism into its science classes.
But Brickley, a Darby resident and local Baptist minister, insists that teaching creation science as an alternative to evolution is not his goal. He notes, "Just because you disagree with evolution doesn't mean you favor creationism." Still, he says many of his opponents seek to discredit other legitimate scientific theories by characterizing them as creationism, which has previously been stigmatized by the courts as religious pseudo-science. But the minister-activist says his only objective is to promote a policy that will encourage "critical analysis of evolution."
"The opponents of such a policy want to frame the theory of intelligent design under the same framework as creationism. They do this because the courts, back to 1987, have essentially made creation[ism] illegal in our public schools. And when they did that, they began a process of indoctrination, offering only one side of a controversial subject," Brickley says.
Darby's new objective origins science policy is up for a second reading and final approval later this month.
