The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee (ACLU-TN) is the only organization in the state dedicated to promoting and protecting constitutional rights. Our goal is to translate the Bill of Rights into an everyday reality for all Tennesseans.

"Monkey Bill" Now State Law

On Tuesday, April 10, a bill that undermines science education in Tennessee public schools by effectively granting permission for teachers to bring religion into the classroom became law, without Governor Haslam's signature.

HB 0368/SB 0893 states that teachers must be allowed to help students understand the "weaknesses" of proven scientific theories such as evolution. Using the phrase “weaknesses” to describe scientific theories is typically code in the evolution debate to introduce non-scientific ideas like creationism and intelligent design into the science curriculum.

Prestigious scientific and educational organizations, including the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the American Institute of Biological Sciences, the Tennessee Science Teachers Association and more oppose the legislation. They unanimously agree that there is no scientific controversy regarding the theory of evolution, only a political controversy that does not belong in the science classroom.

Religion belongs where it prospers best–with individuals, families and religious communities–not in the science classroom.

RESOURCES

"Gov. Bill Haslam should veto 'Monkey Bill,'" Knoxville News Sentinel Op Ed by Hedy Weinberg, ACLU-TN Executive Director

“March Madness: Tennessee Legislature Takes Another Shot at Undermining Evolution Education,” ACLU Blog of Rights post by Heather Weaver, Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief

“Proposed bills intention is to push a religious agenda,” The Tennessean Op Ed by Hedy Weinberg, ACLU-TN Executive Director

"'Monkey' business, again, in Tennessee," L.A. Times Editorial

National Center for Science Education

Letters from prestigious science organizations opposing this bill:

• American Association for the Advancement of Science
• American Institute of Biological Sciences
• National Association of Geoscience Teachers
• National Earth Science Teachers Association
• Tennessee Members of the National Academy of Sciences
• Tennessee Science Teachers Association

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