Edwards v. Aguillard (1986)

A law requiring that public schools teach “creation science” alongside evolution was a violation of the Establishment Clause.

The Court held that the Louisiana law failed all three parts of the Lemon Test established in Lemon v. Kurtzman (1965): the requirement had no secular purpose, advanced a religious viewpoint, and excessively entangled religion and government.

The case touched on constitutional principles including limited government and civic values including consideration and respect.