The web site Understanding Evolution factually presents information about evolution, billing itself as "your one-stop source for information on evolution." The site provides explanations of what evolution is, how it works, how it affects our lives, what evidence exists to support evolutionary theory, the history of evolution, and an FAQ on evolution "controversy" which details positions taken by both sides of this "controversy."

As the site is partially funded through a grant from the National Science Foundation, religious extremists Jeanne and Larry Caldwell saw an opportunity to sue, claiming that the site wishes to impose religious beliefs on children. In their suit they claim that the site wishes "to modify the beliefs of public school science students so they will be more willing to accept evolutionary theory as true."

In other words, the site is attempting to teach science, and this couple feels that because science and their religion are mutually exclusive, science is trying to get followers of their religion to change their religious beliefs.

The suit comes despite courts repeatedly rejecting the notion that evolution is a religious idea. For example, in 1981, in Segraves v. State of California the court ruled that class discussion of evolution did not infringe upon the right to free exercise of religion. In 1994, in Peloza v. Capistrano School District, the court ruled that the school district's requirement that evolution be taught did not infringe on religious beliefs, and the court rejected the redefinition of evolution as a religion.

---Nick

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