High School Bans "Evolution" T-Shirts

Fundamentalist parents strike again, forcing a high school to recall a tongue-in-cheek band T-shirt because it “promotes evolution” . . . the Evolution of Brass!

As described in the Sedalia Democrat:

The shirts, which were designed to promote the band’s fall program, are light gray and feature an image of a monkey progressing through stages and eventually emerging as a man. Each figure holds a brass instrument. Several instruments decorate the background and the words “Smith-Cotton High School Tiger Pride Marching Band” and “Brass Evolutions 2009” are emblazoned above and below the image.

Evolution of Brass T-Shirt - BANNED!

Assistant Band Director Brian Kloppenburg said the shirts were designed by him, Band Director Jordan Summers and Main Street Logo. Kloppenburg said the shirts were intended to portray how brass instruments have evolved in music from the 1960s to modern day. Summers said they chose the evolution of man because it was “recognizable.” The playlist of songs the band is slated to perform revolve around the theme “Brass Evolutions.”

Following the debut of the shirts in the Missouri State Fair parade, the school’s Assistant Superintendent Brad Pollitt began receiving complaints . . . from not one, but several parents!

I made the decision to have the band members turn the shirts in after several concerned parents brought the shirts to my attention.

Noting that the school must remain neutral with regard to religion, Pollitt continued,

If the shirts had said ‘Brass Resurrections’ and had a picture of Jesus on the cross, we would have done the same thing.

Mr. Pollitt apparently considers the scientific theory of evolution to be “religion”.

I truly pity the kids who go to this school. One of the concerned parents, Sherry Melby, is also a teacher at Smith-Cotton. Her comment?

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

Yes, it would be a travesty for a public school to be associated with science.

Thanks to Progressive Puppy.

Related articles:

1. Glenn Beck's 'soldiers' ban pro-gay book from NJ high school
2. Berlin court rules Muslim student cannot pray at school
3. Officials consider changing closing Paterson Catholic high school into charter
4. In Brief: Religious accommodationism at Evolution 2010
5. In Brief: Richard Dawkins among academics calling for compulsory evolution teaching at primary school

Jenny Donati is webmistress and co-editor of Secular News Daily. Jenny is an outspoken secularist who believes firmly in the separation of church and state. She demands evidence to support arguments, and holds herself to the same standard. She doesn't write about herself in the third person . . . but there's a first time for everything.

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