NCJW Applauds Decision Against ''Intelligent Design''

December 20, 2005, Washington, DC -- The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) applauds the decision issued today in Kitzmiller v. Dover overturning a local Pennsylvania school board order that required teachers to present "intelligent design" as an alternative to evolution in science classes. NCJW President Phyllis Snyder released the following statement:

"The decision by US District Court Judge John E. Jones III -- that teaching 'intelligent design' as science in public school violates the Constitution's prohibition against state establishment of a religion -- is a resounding victory for religious and academic freedom. Judge Jones concluded that the Dover Area School Board directive requiring students to listen to a statement discrediting evolution was motivated by religious belief. Further, he asserted that 'intelligent design' is not science, but rather a form of 'creationism,' and that the school board members were clearly motivated by a religious agenda.

"Even before today's court decision, the voters of Dover, PA, made their views clear -- voting in November 2005 to remove the school board members who imposed the 'intelligent design' requirement. Their action, combined with the judge's decision, should once and for all end the nationally orchestrated effort to insert religion into science classes. The place for teaching religious beliefs is in our homes and religious institutions, not the publicly funded classroom."

NCJW is a volunteer organization, inspired by Jewish values, that works to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families and to ensure individual rights and freedoms for all through its network of 90,000 members, supporters, and volunteers nationwide.

Contact:
Rebecca Cole
212 645 4048 ext 182; rcole@ncjw.org