ICC Note: The atheist group, Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF), recently requested an investigation regarding the fact that a well-known biblical creation speaker and debater, Eric Hovind, spoke at a local Georgia high school. Despite the fact that Hovind did not mention his religious beliefs nor his opinion on creation, but instead delivered a general presentation about critical thinking, FFRF quickly sent a letter requesting an investigation to the superintendent. Tennessee’s Center for Religious Expression has since spoken out, urging the school district not to listen to the atheist group.
By Heather Clark
04/30/2015 United States (Christian News Network) – An atheist group has requested an investigation into the presence of a recognized biblical creation leader and debater at a Georgia high school, where he recently spoke to students about critical thinking.
In late March, Eric Hovind, the president of the Florida-based ministry Creation Today, addressed a debate class at Troup County Comprehensive High School in LaGrange, Ga. Hovind says that his talk did not include mention of his faith or creation, but was rather a general discussion on critical thinking.
But as Hovind had engaged in a debate with a local humanist two days prior and had posted a photo of the event on social media, and since he is a born-again Christian who is known to speak against evolution, atheists became upset with school officials for allowing Hovind to address students.
The Madison, Wisc.-based Freedom from Religion Foundation (FFRF) soon sent a letter to the superintendent of the Troup County School System requesting an investigation into Hovind’s appearance.
“It is unconstitutional and completely inappropriate for TCCHS to host a fundamentalist Christian speaker whose sole purpose and goal is the promotion of biblical creationism,” the letter, written by staff attorney Elizabeth Cavill, read.
“It is difficult for us to understand how this presentation could have been approved,” she wrote. “Your community undoubtedly includes many people who have professional experience … to discuss ‘critical thinking’ with students interested in debate, and whose presence would not violate clear constitutional dictates.”
Cavill then remarked that it takes the promotion of religion in schools “very seriously,” noting as a threat that it had recently sued a school district in the state.
