Edwards v. Aguillard
Citation
482 U.S. 578 (1987)
Facts
Louisiana enacted a “Creationism Act” requiring that if evolution was taught in public schools, “creation science” had to be taught alongside it. Teachers and parents challenged the law as violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment.
Issue
Whether Louisiana’s Balanced Treatment for Creation-Science and Evolution-Science Act violated the Establishment Clause.
Holding
The Court struck down the Louisiana law as unconstitutional under the Lemon test, finding it had no secular educational purpose and was designed to advance religion.
Rule
Under the Lemon test, a law violates the Establishment Clause if it lacks a secular purpose; “creation science” is a religious concept, and requiring its teaching alongside evolution lacks any legitimate secular educational purpose.