Teaching Creationism

In response to “Anti-Evolutionist Teacher Sues School District,” Part A, Oct. 1:

Is it any wonder that the U.S. is doing so poorly in science education? Even some of our science teachers are scientifically illiterate. Take, for example, the science teacher who is suing the Capistrano Unified School District. He’s upset because the district won’t let him teach creationist claptrap as if it were science.

I and many of my colleagues have studied the claims of the so-called “scientific” creationists for the past 15 years. I had hoped that some diligent creationist would uncover an interesting paradox that we scientists hadn’t noticed. Alas! None of them has even come close!

Any science teacher who can’t see the absurdity of creationist arguments should be fired or perhaps transferred to some discipline that does not require reading with comprehension, if one can be found.

WILLIAM THWAITES

Biology Department

San Diego State University