The creationists on the Texas State Board of Education were only partially successful in their efforts to impose "teaching the controversy" of evolution on the state's science standards (see The New York Times, Split Outcome in Texas Battle on Teaching of Evolution [may require registration]). They were, however, highly successful in demonstrating their religious bigotry.

One Board member, Ken Mercer, said he was praying for fellow members whose acceptance of evolution he blames on the influence of "atheists and secular humanists," as if such people are the bad seeds, a dark movement set on corrupting all things American. But the fact is, "atheist" and "humanist" are, like "Christian" or "Jew," the chosen identities of millions of Americans: soldiers, teachers, engineers, doctors, parents, politicians, and - yes - Texans.   Read more »