When the Supreme Court struck down a Louisiana law that required public schools to give "equal time" to "creation science," an apparent contradiction was created because groups that traditionally supported the defense of civil liberties in general and freedom of expression in particular seemed to support a position designed to limit rather than expand the free flow of information. To look at this contradiction it is necessary to further understand the concept, "creation science." There are two types of literature in "creation science": (1) the type that attacks and criticizes the concept of evolution, and which misstates scientific principle or fact; and (2) the type that presents the principles of "creation science" and its two basic principles--that the universe is 6,000 years old and that there was the sudden appearance of species. A review of this literature and an understanding of the nature of the scriptures provide the foundation for dealing with the apparent inconsistency of supporting both freedom of expression and the decision of the courts finding the Louisiana (and Arkansas) equal time law unconstitutional. While the stated purpose of the legislation was to promote academic freedom by offering a greater diversity of views and information, the reality behind the legislation was quite different. The equal time concept is nothing more than an attempt to suppress the teaching of evolution or at least to advocate the teaching of a sectarian religious dogma also. (One figure and 18 notes are included.) (MS)