Two Montana lawmakers have drafted bills tackling the debate over evolution. One would give schools more authority to teach alternatives; the other reaffirms state support for Darwin's theory.
Both bids were driven by curriculum changes in Darby schools earlier this year that mandate discussion of "intelligent design" theory in science classes.
Sen. Ken Toole, a Helena Democrat, is sponsoring a resolution reaffirming separation of church and teaching of valid science, which to him rules out creationism, the Boseman Daily Chronicle reported.
On the other side, Rep. Roger Koopman, a Republican from Bozeman, introduced a bill to give schools more leeway to teach intelligent design and other alternatives to evolution.
"The only time religious bias becomes a factor is when people try to ban scientific data that supports intelligent design, because they insist that only an atheistic model of origins should be taught," Koopman stated.
Intelligent design says the Earth was created through guided, intelligent events, not random chance. Critics say that is creationism in disguise. But proponents say the theory isn't religious because it doesn't state who or what the intelligent designer is.