U.S. Supreme Court overturns Louisiana creationism actIn 1987, the U.S. Supreme Court decided that the 1981 Louisiana “Creationism Act” unconstitutionally endorsed religion. The state law originally required that evolution must not be taught in Louisiana public elementary and secondary schools, unless accompanied by instruction in “creation science.” In the case of Edwards v. Aguillard, 482 U.S. 578 (1987) the Supreme Court sided with the Louisiana parents, teachers and religious leaders who had successfully challenged the Act's constitutionality in Federal District Court, which was affirmed by the Court of Appeals. The state lost again in appealing to the Supreme Court, which also said in its decision that “Forbidding the teaching of evolution when creation science is not also taught undermines the provision of a comprehensive scientific education.”« |
