A bill to allow Christian beliefs to be taught in Arkansas classrooms easily passed the state House Wednesday. House Bill 1701 now heads to the Senate side for a vote.
The bill will allow kindergarten through 12th grade teachers to teach students about the Christian theory of creationism, which claims that a divine being conjured the universe and all things in it in six days. The bill specifies that creationism can be taught not only in religion and philosophy classes, but “as a theory of how the Earth came to exist.”
Rep. Mary Bentley (R-Perryville), sponsor of House Bill 1701 said “There are phenomena in our nature that evolution cannot explain,” Bentley said. She emphasized that science teachers may teach creationism under this bill, but they don’t have to.
◾️The U.S. Supreme Court in Edwards v. Aguillard ruled it unconstitutional to require creationism to be taught in public schools.
◾️Bentley said she believes the Supreme Court might rule differently this time.
◾️The vote was 72 yeas from Republicans, 21 nays from Democrats, 1 Democrat did not vote along with 6 Republicans.
◾️The Senate consists of twenty-seven Republicans, seven Democrats, and one independent.
Oh yeah I forgot. No scriptures and/or proselytizing.
