From: "Robert J. Berger" <rberger@xxxxxxx>
Date: August 27, 2005 1:33:32 PM PDT
To: Dewayne Hendricks <dewayne@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>, Dave Farber
<dave@xxxxxxxxxx>
Subject: University of Calif. Sued Over Creationism
University of Calif. Sued Over Creationism
http://www.salon.com/wire/ap/archive.html?wire=D8C8AM600.html
August 27,2005 | LOS ANGELES -- A group representing California
religious schools has filed a lawsuit accusing the University of
California system of discriminating against high schools that
teach creationism and other conservative Christian viewpoints.
The Association of Christian Schools International, which
represents more than 800 schools, filed a federal lawsuit
Thursday claiming UC admissions officials have refused to
certify high school science courses that use textbooks
challenging Darwin's theory of evolution. Other rejected courses
include "Christianity's Influence in American History."
According to the lawsuit, the Calvary Chapel Christian School in
Murrieta was told its courses were rejected because they use
textbooks printed by two Christian publishers, Bob Jones
University Press and A Beka Books.
Wendell E. Bird, a lawyer for the association, said the policy
violates the rights of students and religious schools.
"A threat to one religion is a threat to all," he said.
UC spokeswoman Ravi Poorsina said she could not comment, because
the university had not been served with the lawsuit. Still, she
said the university has a right to set course requirements.
"These requirements were established after careful study by
faculty and staff to ensure that students who come here are
fully prepared with broad knowledge and the critical thinking
skills necessary to succeed," Poorsina.