ABSTRACT
In the early 1980s, there were several attempts at the state level to introduce creationism into science curriculums as an alternative to the theory of evolution. Don Aguillard, an advanced biology high school teacher in Louisiana, brought suit against sitting governor Edwin Edwards in district court. The court of appeals wrote that “the Louisiana Creationism Act advances a religious doctrine by requiring either the banishment of the theory of evolution from public school classrooms or the presentation of a religious viewpoint that rejects evolution in its entirety.” The court held that there could be no valid secular reason for prohibiting the teaching of evolution, a theory historically opposed by and in direct conflict with teachings of some religious denominations. The court also found that this act undoubtedly promoted and endorsed religion, violating the First Amendment. This case held particular significance in that it affirmed the court’s commitment to protect First Amendment rights from efforts to promote religion in public schools.
