George,

You recently posted an article about the professor in Texas who requires his biology students to acknowledge the primacy of evolution, it they want grad school letters of recommendation from him (http://loper.org/~george/trends/2003/Feb/944.html).

A former student, backed by Creationists, is suing, saying that such an affirmation goes against his religious belief.

Creationists have, over the years, fashioned an assault on education by asserting that their myth system is science, and therefore should be taught as such. In this case they seem to be overturning that view -- why then should the professor be opposed? He teaches biology, not religion.

PS For two years in the late '50s, I attended a southern denominational college. My biology professor started the semester by making a simple statement--he said that he recognized that there were a number of students who had been raised to consider the Bible to be literally true, but that he would teach evolution, students would be tested on evolution, and the biblical story of creation should be considered a beautiful myth.

As far as I know, he did this for many years, and was never challenged, by students or outside organizations.

I mention this because the story of education in this country in my lifetime has not been what we hoped, a continual growth of understanding, but is under serious assault by regressive forces.

Dave Sagarin (electronic mail, February 23, 2003)