REPUBLICANS=LIARS!

Republican Sarah Palin says she thinks creationism should be taught alongside evolution in the state’s public classrooms — that she would not have a problem with that. She is the only candidate who has come out and said this. According to the Anchorage Daily News, back in 2006 Palin was answering a question from the moderator near the conclusion of a televised debate on KAKM Channel 7 when she said, “Teach both. You know, don’t be afraid of information. Healthy debate is so important, and it’s so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both.”

While Palin says that she has never pushed the creationism being taught in schools, here is this little bit of information:

The Republican Party of Alaska platform says, in its section on education: “We support giving Creation Science equal representation with other theories of the origin of life. If evolution is taught, it should be presented as only a theory.”

And this idea is spreading, causing watchdog groups to be on alert:

The issue of teaching an alternative to evolution has turned into an issue in the current race for governor in Michigan, where Republican Dick DeVos said he wanted to see students exposed to the idea of intelligent design.

Isn’t that what churches, mosques, synagogues and other mythology temples are for?

In 1993 in Alaska, several Board of Education appointees of Gov. Wally Hickel considered adding creation science to the board’s list of recommended scientific concepts. The idea was proposed by a member of the school board who taught at a private Christian school in Fairbanks. It failed on a 3-3 tie, with one school board member absent.

In 2003 a curriculum reform panel recommended leaving evolution out of the state requirements to avoid controversy. Their recommendation was accepted by the state Department of Education, but the state board — which had the final say — reinserted the term.

Current state regulations allow local districts to add their own curriculum beyond the minimum state requirements, said Department of Education spokesman Eric Fry. That would arguably include some form of creation science, he said.

“They couldn’t promote religion, but it’s OK to teach about religion,” Fry said.

Palin’s full quote on the matter is:

“Teach both. You know, don’t be afraid of information. “Healthy debate is so important and it’s so valuable in our schools. I am a proponent of teaching both. And you know, I say this too as the daughter of a science teacher. Growing up with being so privileged and blessed to be given a lot of information on, on both sides of the subject — creationism and evolution. It’s been a healthy foundation for me. But don’t be afraid of information and let kids debate both sides.”

Opponents say rightfully that religion has no place being taught in a science classroom.