In recent years religious ideas have increasingly impinged on public life in ways unacceptable to New Atheist rationalism, from arguments over the teaching of "intelligent design" in schools to gay marriage and restrictions on embryonic stem cell research.

CNN: The rise of the 'New Atheists'

Many state and federal court cases have not only prohibited the teaching of creationism and intelligent design in public-school classrooms, but have also restrained teachers from introducing arguments against evolution in contravention of a school district's curriculum.

ECONOMIST: Science education