Segraves v. California (1981)
Evolution & Free Exercise of Religion
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There are a number of religious groups which object to evolution and which find that evolution is incompatible with their religious beliefs. Although they may be missing something and their conclusion may be mistaken, they are nevertheless sincere. Does this mean, then, that teaching evolution in science classes infringes upon the rights of these people and their children to the free exercise of their religion?
Background Information
Kelly Segraves challenged the teaching of evolution in California public schools. According to Segraves, discussion about evolution, even in science classes as mandated by the California State Board of Education's Science Framework, infringed upon the free exercise of religion of himself and his children who were forced to listen to and learn the material.
Court Decision
Although the California Superior Court accepted that Segraves and his family were completely sincere in their beliefs and in their contention that evolution was incompatible with those beliefs, the Court could not accept that teaching about evolution was therefore a violation of their free exercise rights. In particular, the Court concluded that the State Board of Education's 1972 anti-dogmatism policy specifically prevented such infringements from occurring. According to this policy, discussions about origins were to emphasize that scientific explanations are more about on "how" rather than "ultimate causes." Moreover, speculative statements about origins, whether in texts or in class discussion, were to be presented as condition and not dogmatic.
On the other hand, the Court also found that this policy may not have been communicated fully to all concerned parties - had that been done, perhaps the case never would have come up. The policy exists not only to protect students, but also to let parents and teachers know that the students are protected. Therefore, the judge ordered that the anti-dogmatism policy be disseminated to "to all the publishers, institutions, school districts, schools, and persons regularly receiving the science framework."
Significance
This decision is one of many which has established that, however objectionable evolution might be to some religious groups, merely teaching about evolution in science classes cannot be construed either as an establishment of a religion or as an infringement upon the free exercise of students' and parents' religions. This decision also emphasized that science is provision in nature and should be presented as such when taught.
The anti-dogmatism policy of the California State Board of Education was expanded in 1989 to apply to all areas of science rather than just evolution and questions about origins, thus removing the impression that science might be genuinely dogmatic in matters unrelated to life and origins.
Further Information
Evolution & Creationism...
Is evolution a science? Is creationism a science? What is science? Is there evidence for either? Religious fundamentalists often attack evolution, but rarely from a positions of really understanding what evolution is and how it works. This FAQ will not only teach you more about the nature of evolution and evolutionary theory, but it will also explain some of the more common complaints and where they go wrong.
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