Ga. schools on trial for hedging on evolutionMonday, November 8, 2004ASSOCIATED PRESSATLANTA - School officials in suburban Cobb County go to court today to defend themselves against a lawsuit accusing them of promoting religion by requiring that science textbooks warn students evolution is "a theory, not a fact."The trial in U.S. District Court is expected to last four days.The lawsuit argues that the disclaimer restricts the teaching of evolution, promotes the teaching of creationism and discriminates against particular religions.County school officials said their warning, on stickers inserted in science books, simply encourages students to keep an open mind.The stickers read: "This textbook contains material on evolution. Evolution is a theory, not a fact, regarding the origin of living things. This material should be approached with an open mind, studied carefully and critically considered."The lawsuit was filed by six parents and the Georgia chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.One of the parents, Jeffrey Selman, said, "I have no problem with anybody's religious beliefs. I just want an adequate educational system."The board adopted the disclaimer after science texts adopted in 2002 were criticized by some as presenting evolution as fact.
