Kitzmiller v. Dover, the much discussed “Intelligent Design” case, proved an overwhelming victory for scientific theory in the science classroom. Judge John E. Jones III ruled that the Dover School District’s policy to introduce Intelligent Design as an “alternative theory to evolution” was both unconstitutional and unscientific.

In 2004, the Dover Area School District added a disclaimer to the beginning of the Biology curriculum telling students that Evolution is “just a theory” and proposing Intelligent Design as an alternative explanation. In Kitzmiller v. Dover, a group of parents from the school district challenged the policy as unconstitutional. JSPAN spearheaded an amicus brief on the case, on behalf of numerous Jewish organizations, arguing that the disclaimer was a serious infraction on First Amendment rights.

In a 139-page ruling, Judge Jones contended that both the purpose and effect of the school district policy was to “impose a religious view of biological origins into the biology course, in violation of the Establishment Clause.” His decision even went so far as to state that religion was the sole possible motivation for the introduction of Intelligent Design into the curriculum.

When comparing Intelligent Design to the Theory of Evolution, Judge Jones found Intelligent Design fundamentally unscientific. “Intelligent Design,” he states, “is grounded in theology, not science.” Jones does not come to this decision lightly. He cites numerous examples where the words “Creation Science” were changed to “Intelligent Design” in textbooks. He also establishes that Intelligent Design fails to uphold the scientific standards of testability and dependence on natural explanations.

In his conclusion, Judge Jones reiterates that the Dover School District policy violates the classic Lemon v Kurtzman test under the Establishment Clause of the Constitution. He forcefully deduces that “Intelligent Design cannot uncouple itself from its creationist, and thus religious, antecedents.”

To view the ruling by Judge Jones in its entirety, click here.