The real effect of SB96: It’s a religion test

I have mentioned this topic briefly before, but I thought I would mention it again since the bill will be going before the House Education Committee in a few days.

But first, I would like to introduce you all to Kim, she’s a “very concerned student” over at West Hills Middle School, who posted a comment over on the Senate Site the other day (comment #95). It’s nice to see a Utah public school student speak up about a bill that more or less directly affects them. It’s nice to see them learn about and participate in the political process. And I think her comment is really choice for the context of this bill.

Here is her comment in full:

I want to thank Chris Butters for standing up for all of us who do believe in God and do what to have that truth taught in public schools. I go to a public school and I wish that I could have the same rights as the atheists by having my beliefs also taught. I also want to say something to Governor Huntsman, I DO believe Butters is fighting for a good cause, if I am not mistaken you are Mormon. I believe that you have a certain obligation to your church and to your God to stand up for the things that are in this bill. As a Mormon, I believe that you are suppose to take this opportunity and try to help our Great state of Utah find some truth, some light in the dark world of Science!

Beautiful, isn’t it. I felt sorry for her. It brought a tear to my eye. She’s such a victim. She doesn’t have the same rights as atheists apparently do, to shove her beliefs down other people’s throats. It’s your “obligation to your church and to your God” to promote this bill. Obviously those who don’t promote this bill should either have the veracity of their religion seriously questioned or they are just atheist scum.

The primary effects of this bill have little to do with its effects on science education in the state. Honestly, this bill won’t even dent the reality of evolution teaching as real science, nor do I believe that any students will actually “convert” either way to one side or the other because the state of Utah can’t make up its mind. No, the primary effect of this bill if it were to pass is to let the fanatics out of the closet. It justifies them. It gives them permission to condemn others with different beliefs. How does it do this? Creationism and ID as “scientific theories” cannot be separated from their “biblical” roots that also include religious condemnation for all those who don’t believe.

But we don’t have to wait for this bill to become law for it to have this effect, it’s already here. Just the mere presence of it draws out the divisiveness. This war in Iraq, and Buttars’ other bill on gay clubs (SB97), are having similar effects. Some people are actually dropping out of church because they are being condemned for their lack of support for these political issues. That condemnation is real.

When I hear my local senator tell folks that the theory of evolution is just atheist teaching, and that only atheists would bother to stand against the “truth” that’s in this bill, I feel like sharing a little with my elected representative right on back - Hey, peace to you, buddy! [flipping you the bird with love] (But that wouldn’t be very Christ like of me now would it. So I’ll just forgive him.)

Anyway, religious divisiveness, that’s the only real effect this bill will have.