Legal Definitions - evolution statute

An evolution statute refers to a law, typically enacted by a state legislature, that aims to restrict, prohibit, or otherwise influence the teaching of the scientific theory of evolution, particularly within public educational institutions.

More accurately described as an anti-evolution statute, these laws often stem from religious objections to evolution and have frequently been challenged in courts on constitutional grounds, primarily concerning the separation of church and state under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Here are some examples illustrating how an evolution statute might apply:

• Example 1: Direct Prohibition of Teaching Evolution

  Imagine a state legislature in the early 20th century passes a law making it illegal for any public school teacher to present the theory of evolution as fact. The statute specifically states that any teacher found discussing human evolution from lower forms of life would be subject to fines and dismissal. This law directly prohibits the teaching of evolution.

  This example illustrates an evolution statute because it is a governmental act designed to prevent the instruction of evolutionary theory in public schools, reflecting a common historical approach to such legislation.

• Example 2: Mandating "Balanced Treatment" or Disclaimers

  Consider a state that enacts a law requiring public school biology textbooks and teachers, when covering evolution, to also present "creation science" or "intelligent design" as equally valid scientific explanations for the origin of life. Alternatively, the law might mandate that teachers read a disclaimer before teaching evolution, stating that it is "just a theory" and not a proven fact, implying it lacks scientific consensus.

  This demonstrates an evolution statute because, rather than an outright ban, it attempts to dilute the scientific standing of evolution or introduce non-scientific alternatives into the curriculum, thereby restricting the purely scientific teaching of evolution.

• Example 3: Curriculum Omission or Downplaying

  Suppose a state's legislative body influences the state board of education to adopt new science curriculum standards for public high schools. These standards significantly reduce the amount of time dedicated to evolutionary biology, or they completely omit key concepts like common descent and natural selection, focusing instead on vague "changes over time" without explicitly mentioning evolution. While not a direct prohibition, this legislative influence effectively restricts the comprehensive teaching of evolution.

  This scenario exemplifies an evolution statute (or its effect) because it uses governmental authority to limit or remove the teaching of evolution from the required educational content, serving the same purpose as a more explicit anti-evolution law.