In Texas, Evolution is Religion?

The folks in Texas have a knack of misunderstanding the separating of church and state, but this is ridiculous.

This article in the Sedalia-Democrat explains how the Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Brad Pollitt somehow thinks that removing t-shirts advocating evolution, protects the school district's mandate to remain neutral on the topic of religion. Huh?

Seems the theme for this year's high school marching band is Brass Evolution, so the t-shirt worn by the band members, designed by band director Jordan Summers, Assistant Band Director Brian Kloppenburg, and a store called Main Street Logo displayed this theme with a logo of clearly evolutionary characters over brass instruments.

When angry parents protested the design, the shirts were recalled, to the dismay of others who appreciated the play on words.

“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 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,” he said.

Band parent Sherry Melby, who is a teacher in the district, stands behind Pollitt’s decision. Melby said she associated the image on the T-shirt with Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution.

“I was disappointed with the image on the shirt.” Melby said. “I don’t think evolution should be associated with our school.”

Parent Alena Hoeffling said she is infuriated with administration’s decision to pull the attire.

“Whatever happened to the separation of church and state,” she said.

Hoeffling said she is both a scientific person and a practicing Catholic and enjoyed the “play on words.”

Oh Texas. Go ahead. Secede.

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k