"It took about 55 million years for the present family of horses, asses and zebras to evolve from their earliest horse-like ancestor," reads page eight of the children's book, "Horse" by Juliet Clutton-Brock.

While that statement seems innocuous enough, it was the subject of a public hearing Friday night at the Front Street Learning Center, where nearly 100 people turned out to support and criticize the book -- that is part of the Eyewitness Books series -- that one parent wants removed from a school library because she says it promotes evolution.

Roxanne Cleasby, a parent of an 8-year-old student attending Smith Elementary School in Helena, initiated Friday's hearing by filing a Request for Reconsideration of Educational Materials to the Helena School District.

Cleasby's request asks the district to remove the book from the library, or at least pages eight and nine, because she says it neglects to address creationism as an alternative theory to evolution.

"There remain too many questions with evolutionary theory to present it as a fact," Cleasby said. "Children and adults need the freedom to question, ponder and seek this very fundamental question of how they came to be."

Limited to three minutes in which to address the committee, Cleasby suggested that the district consider exchanging the book for a different one. She spent most of her time attempting to disprove the theory of evolution.

"What made the horse so special to have its own evolutionary diagram?" she asked.

Cleasby went on to say that there is no observable evidence that the horse, as a species, actually evolved.

"It doesn't really happen that way," she said.

John Fenlason of the Hannaford Street Bible Church in Helena stepped forward as Cleasby's only supporter. Addressing the committee, he too said the book presented evolution as a fact.

"Evolution is just as much a theory and a religious view as creationism is," Fenlason said. "I don't think creationism gets equal opportunity to be discussed. Let's give both sides that opportunity."

The moderator turned the discussion over to supporters of the book. The line soon stretched to the back of the room.

Cleasby sat silent with her hands folded in her lap, even as some called hers an "attack by extremists" on public schools and nothing more than "religious dogma."

Some defended the book, citing the First Amendment of the Constitution and freedom of speech. Others defended it using scientific theory.

"The primary assumption of creation science is a supernatural event," said Carroll College biology professor Grant Hokit. "It's impossible to test creationism using scientific theory because the mechanisms -- the supernatural events -- are not measurable."

Hokit argued that science does not dismiss the existence of a creator, nor does it prove the existence of one.

"For the success of future generations, it is critical that we allow access to books that contain the prevailing views of science," he said.

Ann Hedges said today's children must learn to think on their own, and to draw their own conclusions without the meddling of those with religious agendas.

"Learning to be critical thinkers is an acquired skill," Hedges told the committee. "If you start down this road, then you are taking away our children's ability to become critical thinkers."

Zia Kazimi, a Clancy resident born in Afghanistan, said he has lived under repressive regimes that have ruled in the name of religion.

The consequences, he said, are dangerous.

"I've had the opportunity, first hand, to see what extremists can do," Kazimi said. "Perhaps those in our community don't wear turbans or grow long beards, but the simple truth is that they are afraid of any competing views or beliefs."

Kazimi said that Cleasby's effort to remove the book from the library reminded him of the Taliban, which ruled by fear while forcing others to bow under its distorted beliefs.

"It's not our public schools who teach our faith," Kazimi said. "This is done at home and in our churches. Let the schools do what they do best."

The Helena School District's stance on censorship drew the praise of many.

Suzi Watne, the district's library coordinator and a member of Friday's committee, said the district recognizes its students' right to freely access different types of books.

Citing district policy, Watne said library books would not be removed simply because of the race, nationality, political or religious values of the writer. Nor would the books and other resources "of sound factual authority" be removed due to "partisan doctrinal approval or disapproval."

The committee has 30 days before it must submit its recommendation to the superintendent of public schools.

Even as several spoke in favor of the book, they praised Cleasby for caring enough about her child's education to go to such lengths to direct it.

After speaking, Cleasby remained silent throughout the hearing, which remained civil in its discussion.