Resolution Recognizing 'Darwin Day,' Slamming Creationism, Introduced in Congress
A United States Congressman has introduced a resolution before the House of Representatives to express their support for a celebration of the birth of nineteenth century naturalist Charles Darwin.
Democratic New Jersey Rep. Rush Holt introduced H.R. 467 last week, which calls on Congress to recognize Feb. 12 as "Darwin Day" as well as recognize the value of science as a field.
"Charles Darwin's theory of evolution by the mechanism of natural selection, together with the monumental amount of scientific evidence he compiled to support it, provides humanity with a logical and intellectually compelling explanation for the diversity of life on Earth," reads H.R. 467 in part.
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"Charles Darwin is a worthy symbol of scientific advancement on which to focus and around which to build a global celebration of science and humanity intended to promote a common bond among all of Earth's peoples … ."
H.R. 467 also criticizes the teaching creationism in public schools as something that "compromises the scientific and academic integrity of the United States education systems."
Cosponsored by Democratic representatives James Himes of Connecticut and Mike Honda of California, H.R. 467 has been referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
For years, "Darwin Day" has been an observance that assorted groups have been pushing to get recognition for at schools and governments alike.
First coordinated in 1993 by The International Darwin Day Foundation, the observance is a project of the American Humanist Association.
In response to the Darwin Day observance, creationist organizations have launched their own efforts at propagating their views on the creation-evolution debate.
For the 2011 Darwin Day observance, Apologetics.com listed various ways Intelligent Design proponents could celebrate the occasion.
"Use the day as an occasion to learn about Darwinism, the Origin of Species, theories of Micro & Macro evolution, Biological processes of natural election, research performed in the Intelligent Design movement to raise awareness," reads an entry on the site.
"Organize an international Intelligent Design Day to raise awareness of the results of scientific research in the fields of biochemistry and astrophysics that point to design."
Another website has a "No Darwin Day" effort, where it refers to belief in evolution as being akin to a religion, thereby making Darwin Day events a government endorsement of religion.
"This site is a response to the Darwin Day campaign by atheistic evolutionary believers to embed the theory of evolution as a scientific fact," reads an entry on their website.
"The Constitution calls for the state not to be involved in the establishment of any religion - yet a mandated religious view is being proposed."
