Only in Texas would you expect to hear a comical juxtaposition like creationists on a government science education panel.

It’s almost tragic that in 2013, the compelling scientific evidence for Darwin’s theory of evolution is disregarded, but it’s not surprising that the unending fight between religious dogma and science continues to rage in the American South.

According to an article published by The New York Times on Saturday, 28 members on a Texas panel, six of which are creationists, were tasked with deciding which textbook would be used in high school biology classes across the state.

One panel member believes that “creation science” based on biblical teachings should be taught in classrooms. Another is a biologist, vice president of a Texas evangelical ministry and fellow of the Discovery Institute, a center for the intelligent design movement.

What’s most problematic about having creationists on such a panel is not the fact that they hold such beliefs, but that they’re in charge of making a decision about science education while also holding such beliefs.

We’ve often heard the sentiment that science and religion are completely incompatible with each other. But that’s a debate for another day and another column.

When it comes to public education, however, the two are necessarily incompatible.

Simply put, religious beliefs are not science, nor are scientific laws and theories religious beliefs. The two must not be confused with each other, especially in the classroom.

We don’t teach students trigonometry in music class. Learning how to conjugate Spanish verbs in the present perfect tense was not part of my gym class, from what I can recall.

So why are Texas politicians determined to push creationism — or “intelligent design,” as it’s been so creatively rebranded — as a scientific theory worth teaching in science classes?

It appears that the current situation in Texas is representative of evangelical conservatives’ long-time desire to force their religious ideals on the American population at-large, a plan which would not only have horrific cultural, social and political consequences, but is unconstitutional in the first place.

The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution prohibits Congress from making a law “respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” These restrictions have also been applied to the states through the doctrine of incorporation.

Simply put, no government at any level within the United States can enact laws establishing an official religion, respecting a particular religion or denomination or prohibiting citizens to freely practice the religion they choose.

Forcing students to learn about creationism — a literal belief commonly associated with evangelical Christianity — stands in direct defiance of our First Amendment rights.

As soon as the government mandates the incorporation of religious teaching into required curriculum, it has crossed the line of constitutionality with an endorsement of a specific religious ideology.

It’s ironic that the Republican Party – which has been overrun with religious ideologues – prides itself on staying committed to the Constitution while ignoring the separation of church and state the very document guarantees.

If Texas lawmakers really want their children to learn about creationism or intelligent design, they should set up separate elective classes that give students the opportunity to learn about these alternate “theories.”

It’s about time state lawmakers across the country stepped back and allowed educators and field experts to make the decisions concerning education. Depoliticizing the biology textbook selection process in Texas would be a good start.

David Swenton is a senior political science and writing and rhetoric major. His column appears weekly. He can be reached at daswento@syr.edu or followed on Twitter at @DavidSwenton.

Published on October 2, 2013 at 2:43 am