of creation science being given equal time use the law to support them. Courts have ruled that by mandating the teaching of creation science, the religious doctrine is required to be taught, which has no secular purpose (Grunes 475). The First Amendment of the Constitution states "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." It is interpreted as saying that the government is required to demonstrate a secular legislative purpose, not to advance or inhibit any religion, and to prevent the government's regulations on an individual's religious beliefs (467-68). In another Supreme Court decision in 1987, Edwards v. Aguillard, creation was labeled a religious idea. Therefore its teaching represents a state advocacy of that religion, which violates the establishment clause in the First Amendment (Scott 10). Those organizations that advocate creation science are viewed as trying to cover up religion as science (Grunes 470). Their purpose is seen as trying to advance religion, not protecting or promoting student's academic freedom. It is believed that a theory involving the supernatural intervention of a Creator is religion, not science (Ruse 301). Ruse stated in his testimony, "As someone trained in the philosophy of religion, in my opinion creation science is religion" (306). Parents trust that their students classroom will not be used to advance the religious views of others, which may conflict with their own (Grunes 477). By following the teaching of creation, this trust between educational institution and parent is lost.While creation science is viewed as religion, some also view evolution as religion. Creationists feel that evolutionary theory is a major element of secular humanism and that the teaching of it hinders the creationist's religious freedom (Grunes 467). They argue that the teaching of evolution also violates the Establishment Clause on the basis that it advances...
