The bad news is that Creationism is like a crusty old barnacle that won't let go. Forty-five percent of Americans still "believe that God created human beings pretty much in their present form about 10,000 years ago."
The good news is this is a political opportunity. This is our chance to fight the culture wars on our terms for once. And it ought to be a campaign that brings together the Christian left and the secular left.
The proposed method: an aggressive ballot initiative campaign to ban the teaching of Creationism in the public schools. I'm thinking of 11 states in particular.
The next step would be a constitutional amendment to ban the teaching of Creationism in the public schools. Ideally, the law would hold both teachers and school boards accountable. Make it a crime. The penalties ought to be controversial, but not extreme.
Then, make Republican candidates go on the record. It's time to stop letting candidates like George W. Bush get away with coded references. We need to bring the Enron Billionaire's alliance with the American Taliban into the light of day.
Such ballot initiatives might pass, but that's almost beside the point. The goal is to fight the culture war on OUR terms. Currently, the GOP is in the closet about its Creationist agenda. We need the voters to see as many far right Christians on television as possible speaking passionately about "intelligent" design. Let the voters have a good look at the extremist antediluvian goals of the Republican party.
The right has been doing this type of thing for years, most recently with gay marriage. Their method is to create an emotional wedge issue that highlights the most culturally liberal agenda of the Democratic Party. This stuff divides the Democratic Party and rallies the GOP base. (Note: I support gay marriage 110 percent as a matter of principle).
In any case, this particular ballot initiative proposal is just one idea in a larger strategy. Another campaign might make it illegal for pharmacists to refuse to sell birth control pills, or make referrals for their customers. With a series of carefully designed ballot initiatives and proposed constitutional amendments, we can start to set the agenda. One wedge issue at a time.
It's not my area of expertise, but I'd be interested in working on something like this. Is there anyone out there with experience in ballot initiative campaigns interested?
Note: Thanks jimdscott for his diary pointing out this new Gallup poll
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2004/11/19/103517/37