Academic Freedom versus Science

Main Topic

Is 'Academic Freedom' a Disguise for Religion? ()

In 1925, a Tennessee jury convicted John Scopes for questioning the Bible by teaching Evolution. More recently, it's become a required science. But now the legislature has passed a law allowing teachers to raise "scientific weaknesses" about Evolution, along with Global Warming. The new law – which protects teachers from helping students "review in an objective manner the scientific strengths and scientific weaknesses of existing scientific theories" including… evolution, the chemical origins of life, global warming and human cloning" -- will become law unless Governor Bill Haslam vetoes it today, which he's not likely to do. Science educators say there are no such "weaknesses," and warn that Tennessee could become a laughing stock for teaching pseudo science. The legal language denies any intention of promoting religion, but the ACLU is threatening to sue.  We hear both sides.

Guests:

• David Fowler: Family Action Council of Tennessee
• Larisa DeSantis: Vanderbilt University
• Edward Larson: Pepperdine University School of Law
• Josh Rosenau: National Center for Science Education, @JoshRosenau
• Casey Luskin: Discovery Institute

Links:

• Scientists disagreeing with the panic over global warming (WSJ)
• Larson's 'Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate over Science and Religion'

Making News

Terror Suspects Extradited to US ()

After four years of hearings, the European Court of Human Rights ruled today that Abu Hamza may be extradited from Britain to the United States. This country has promised — in writing — not to try him and four others in military tribunals or to subject them to the death penalty. Vikram Dodd is senior reporter for the Guardian newspaper in the UK.

Guests:

• Vikram Dodd: The Guardian, @VikramDodd

Reporter's Notebook

Rick Santorum Suspends His Campaign ()

Rick Santorum suspended his campaign today, calling the race "as improbable as any race you will ever see for president." The former US Senator, who had won 11 states in primaries and caucuses, announced his decision in Gettysburg, just two weeks before the primary in his home state of Pennsylvania. He asserted that pulling out of the battle for the Republican nomination would not deter him in the battle to unseat President Barack Obama. Reid Wilson is editor in chief of the National Journal's Hotline.

Guests:

• Reid Wilson: Hotline, @HotlineReid

Links:

• Hotline's Veepstakes power rankings