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Religion & Law

: Thoughts in a Haystack

Devolution

By John Pieret

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I don't think evolution should be associated with our school.
- Sherry Melby, Sedalia Missouri School District teacher

The Smith-Cotton High School band had a theme. Like most such exercises, it didn't seem to make much sense ... "how brass instruments have evolved in music from the 1960s to modern day."

1960s ... modern day?

But okay ... they're teenagers and anything before last week is ancient history.

But then they wanted T-shirts to illustrate the theme. Here's what they came up with:

It's hard to see in this jpeg file, which was the largest I could find (PZ has a better version), but each of the figures is carrying a brass instrument. Of course, the old "up from the monkeys" image is not really representative of evolution. But it has become associated with it and this use of it was harmless.

Harmless, that is, except to the local ignorati.

The band debuted the T-shirts when it marched in the Missouri State Fair parade. Summers said he was surprised when he received a direct complaint after the parade.
While the shirts don't directly violate the district's dress code, Assistant Superintendent Brad Pollitt said complaints by parents made him take action.
"I made the decision to have the band members turn the shirts in after several concerned parents brought the shirts to my attention," Pollitt said. ...
Pollitt said the district would now have to absorb the cost of the T-shirts ? $700 ? that would have been paid for by the band parents. Pollitt said an anonymous donor had originally planned to pay half the cost, but declined after the evolution image was placed on the shirts. However, the donor does plan to fund half the price of the new T-shirts.

School District money spent on maintaining ignorance rather than on education.

Some more quotes:

[T]he district is required by law to remain neutral where religion is concerned.
If the shirts had said 'Brass Resurrections' and had a picture of Jesus on the cross, we would have done the same thing.
- Brad Pollitt, Assistant Superintendent, Sedalia School District

It's not like we are saying God is bad. We aren't promoting evolution.
- Denyel Luke, sophomore band member

I can see where the parents are coming from. Evolution has always been controversial.
- Adam Tilley, junior

I liked the shirt because it was unique. The theory of evolution never even crossed my mind.
- Mike Howard, senior Drum Major

This is an exciting time for the band. They don't need any negativity.
- Michael Stees, member, Sedalia School District Board of Education

These people are f*cking morons.
- John Pieret