Teaching “scientific creationism” in public schools (1982)
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGISTS
1. Be it resolved that the American Association of Physical Anthropologists strongly endorses the recent resolution of the American Association for the Advancement of Science condemning the concepts of and teaching of, at public expense, so-called scientific creationism.
2. Whereas the American Association of Physical Anthropologists recognizes the advantages to any society which accrue when its members accept some moral code of behavior, and
Whereas the Association supports the Constitutional provision separating church and state,
Therefore be it resolved that the Association condemns any effort by the state to dictate specific religious instruction to the people, and
Be it further resolved that the Association condemns any effort by the state or any group within the state to restrict the right of all individuals to freedom of religious expression by advancing one religious viewpoint.
3. Whereas the American Association of Physical Anthropologists recognizes that our modern society is based on a high degree of technological and scientific sophistication, and
Whereas the Association realizes that such technology and science can only be sustained if there is continuous advancement in our knowledge of and control over natural phenomena, and
Whereas such continuous advancement can only be sustained if instruction in the current state of knowledge be available to all our citizens, and
Whereas public understanding of our technological society, which will promote the individual’s ability to cope and serve, can only be achieved if instruction in the sciences reflects the current content of scientific research,
Be it resolved that the American Association of Physical Anthropologists charges the state with the duty of providing, through the public education system, the people with instruction in the current state of objective knowledge concerning our natural universe.
4. Be it resolved that the Secretary is directed to communicate these three resolutions to as many individuals or organizations as possible who may be concerned with these issues.
1982