ACLU Applauds Decision in "Intelligent Design" Case

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: media@aclu.org

VICTORY!
> The Case Against “Intelligent Design”

JUDGE’S DECISION
Opinion of Judge John E. Jones III

RECENT NEWS
Historic Victory in Dover, Pa. “Intelligent Design” Case (12/20/05)
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Pa. Parents Challenge ID (12/14/04)

HARRISBURG, PA — The American Civil Liberties Union today applauded a court ruling that it is unconstitutional to teach “intelligent design” as an alternative to evolution in a public school science classroom. Judge John E. Jones III, who was appointed by President George W. Bush, today ruled that “intelligent design” is a particular religious view and not a scientific theory. In his ruling, Judge Jones sharply rebuked the Dover Area School Board and its legal representation, Thomas More Law Center, stating, “the students, parents, and teachers of the Dover Area School District deserved better than to be dragged into this legal maelstrom, with its resulting utter waste of monetary and personal resources.”

The following statement may be attributed to ACLU Executive Director Anthony D. Romero:

“We are extremely pleased that the court recognized that ‘intelligent design’ is not science and that it also is not constitutional. Proponents of ‘intelligent design’ have attempted to create a false dichotomy between science and religion. As the Vatican itself has recognized, in no way does evolution undermine or deny the existence of a divine creator.

Teaching students about religion in world history or social studies is proper, but disguising a particular religious belief as science is not. As the court recognized, activists sought to bring ‘intelligent design’ into Dover as a test case, and in the process, brought division to a small community. We hope today’s decision sends a strong message to proponents of creationism that it is inappropriate to attempt to advance a particular religious belief at the expense of our children’s education.”

The decision in Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School Discrict is available here: www.aclu.org/religion/schools/23137lgl20051220.html