Should schools be able to teach scientific creationism? Should schools teach about
evolution? Is evolution a religion? These are just some of the questions courts at
all levels have had to wrestle with due to the attempts by certain religious groups
to stop the teaching of evolution, which they find objectionable, and replace it with
teaching from their own religious traditions.
Epperson v. Arkansas (1968)
The Supreme Court found that Arkanas' law prohibiting the teaching of evolution was unconstitutional
because the motivation was based on a literal reading of Genesis, not science.
McClean v. Arkansas (1981)
A federal judge found that Arkanas' "blanced treatment" law mandating equal
treatment of creation science with evolution was unconstitutional.
Segraves v. California (1981)
A California judge ruled that teaching evolution in public school science classes does not
infringe upon the rights of any students or parents to the free exercise of their religion,
even if they sincerely believe that evolution is contrary to their religious beliefs.
Edwards v. Aguillard (1987)
In a 7-2 decision, the Supreme Court invalidated Louisiana's "Creationism Act"
because it violated the Establishment Clause.
Webster v. New Lenox (1990)
Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that school boards have the right to prohibit
teaching creationism because such lessons would constitute religious advocacy and,
hence, such restrictions do not constitute an infringement on a teacher's free speech rights.
Peloza v. Capistrano (1994)
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals decision that a teacher does not have a right to teach
creationism in a biology class, that "evolutionism" is not a religion or
world view, and that the government can restrict the speech of employees while they
are on the job.
Freiler v. Tangipahoa (1999)
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals found that a disclaimer to be read before teaching
about evolution ultimately had the effect of furthering religious interests and was
therefore unconstitutional.
LeVake v. Independent School District (2001)
A federal district court finds that a school may remove a teacher from teaching a biology
class when that teacher, a creationist, cannot adequately teach evolution.
The Oxford Companion to the Supreme Court of the United States. Kermit L. Hall, ed.
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The Oxford Guide to United States Supreme Court Decisions. Kermit L. Hall, ed.
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The Godless Court? Supreme Court Decisions on Church-State Relationships. Ronald B. Flowers.
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The Godless Constitution: The Case Against Religious Correctness. Isaac Kramnick & R. Laurence Moore.
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The Constitution and Religion: Leading Supreme Court Cases on Church and State. Robert S. Alley
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The Supreme Court on Church and State. Robert S. Alley
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