The matter with Kansas

Tucked in a Washington Post article about teaching evolution and "intelligent design:"

A prominent effort is underway in Kansas, where the state Board of Education intends to revise teaching standards. That would be progress, Southern Baptist minister Terry Fox said, because "most people in Kansas don't think we came from monkeys."

Is Terry Fox really ready to argue that public opinion should guide what is taught in school and not actual fact? He sees the need for "intelligent design," which falls outside the boundaries of science, because most people in the state support it. If, then, a majority in the state was convinced that 2+2=5, for example, or that the earth was the center of the universe, does that mean in Fox's eyes that we start teaching our children that as well?

No, of course not. Schooling is not based on popular opinion (or at least is shouldn't be).

However, the battle in Kansas is a big one, with the "intelligent design" side ready to go. One of it's main supporters is a group that has a goal of "the total integration of biblical law into our lives," and another group that teaches "the infallibility of the Scripture." They feel if evolution can be questioned enough, that liberalism will die soon after.

So my question is, what does it say about a group who's political beliefs are predicated on dismantling scientific thought?

*UPDATE* Americablog makes a connection that I should, but didn't. I blame evolution.

*UPDATE* I'd be alright with this one myself, but I think the larger problem on the right would be that teaching the Bible in literature class would be treating it like just another book. I would think a "world religion" class in high school wouldn't be a bad idea, though. Anyone else?