A supreme court case from 1987, Edwards v. Aguillard strictly prohibits the teaching of creationism in public schools.
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From the website for National Center for Science Education:
"...the U.S. Supreme Court held that the state of Louisiana's "Creationism Act" was unconstitutional. This statute prohibited the teaching of evolution in public schools, except when it was accompanied by instruction in "creation science". The Court found that, by advancing the religious belief that a supernatural being created humankind, which is embraced by the term "creation science," the act impermissibly endorsed a particular religious viewpoint. In addition, the Court found that the provision of a comprehensive science education is undermined when it is forbidden to teach evolution except when creation science is also taught."
In a news release from Indiana ACLU attorney Ken Falk;
"The idea that somehow our state legislature can trump the Constitution just doesn't make sense. When lawmakers propose legislation they clearly know will end up in the courts, it wastes valuable time and resources, disrespects the legislative process and confuses an already complicated issue."
This from an article published in the Chicago Tribune, "Senate Education Chairman Dennis Kruse, R-Auburn, said he knew of nothing in state law that prohibits public schools from teaching creationism."
This last statement is rather startling and disturbing coming from an Indiana state legislator who apparently is completely ignorant of the fact that Indiana law must comply with the Constitution of the United States.
I understand that history class can be somewhat boring, but I find it hard to imagine that State Senator Dennis Kruse had already fallen asleep during civics class while the teacher was discussing our very first Constitutional Amendment, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
A quick google search could have come up with the Edwards V. Aguillard case and very well may have saved the State Senate a considerable amount of time and the citizens of the state of Indiana a considerable amount of embarrassment.