The legal tests that are applied to the issue of state mandates to provide creation instruction in public schools, and the implications of the mandates, are discussed. This issue is compared with other curriculum mandates and requirements to illustrate the difficulty of the problem. (MSE)

Reviews court decisions on creationism, science, and separation of church and state in relation to 1st and 14th amendments,establishment clause, and free exercise clause. Discusses fundamentalist interpretation of evolution and concept of "scientific neutrality." Proposes that rights of religious minorities are best served if teaching of…

The memorandum opinion constituting the district court's findings in the case of Arkansas' state law mandating instruction on creation in public schools is presented. Plaintiffs in the suit include Jewish and Christian individuals and organizations and those concerned with academic freedom issues. Defendants include state education officials and…