Cobb County to decide on teaching theories of origin of life

MARIETTA - Cobb County, the state&#39;s second-largest school district, will vote Thursday on whether teachers will be allowed to discuss theories of the origin of life that disagree with Darwinian evolution. <br> <br> Some have praised the proposal as a way to encourage academic freedom, but others say it could allow religious instruction and pseudoscience in the classroom. <br> <br> In August, the board voted unanimously to review a proposal that says the district believes that discussion of disputed views of academic subjects is a necessary element of providing a balanced education, including the study of the origin of the species. <br> <br> Board chairman Curt Johnston said he did not know how the policy would change classroom practices and was unsure whether the new language would allow creationism to be discussed. <br> <br> The theory of evolution, accepted by nearly all scientists, says evidence shows that life developed from earlier forms through slight variations over time and that natural selection determines which species survive. Creationism credits the origin of species to God. <br> <br> In 1987, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that creationism was a religious belief that could not be taught in public schools along with evolution. <br> <br> Since voting to consider the proposal a month ago, the board has been inundated with letters and calls from both sides of the issue, as one of the most polarized debates to hit the conservative school district in years gained momentum and attracted experts from across the country. <br> <br> Last week, the National Academy of Sciences urged the board to drop their effort to teach alternatives to evolution.