A US Christian evangelist has told a Pennsylvania town not to ask for God's help if disaster strikes after it voted against teaching intelligent design.
Pat Robertson's TV programme reaches a million Americans a day
ID says life is too complex to have developed through evolution and an unseen power must have had a hand.
On Tuesday, Dover voters ousted the local school board, which had tried to introduce the concept as an alternative to the theory of evolution.
Pat Robertson told his TV show that the town had turned its back on God.
"I'd like to say to the good citizens of Dover: If there is a disaster in your area, don't turn to God, you just rejected Him from your city," Mr Robertson said on The 700 Club.
The founder of the conservative Christian Broadcasting Network and Christian Coalition has faced criticism for past provocative statements.
God is tolerant and loving, but we can't keep sticking our finger in His eye forever
Last summer, he called for the assassination of Venezuelan Present Hugo Chavez, who is a vocal critic of President George W Bush.
Following his comments on Thursday, Mr Robertson issued a statement saying that he was simply trying to point out that "our spiritual actions have consequences".
"God is tolerant and loving, but we can't keep sticking our finger in His eye forever," Mr Robertson said.
"If they have future problems in Dover, I recommend they call on Charles Darwin. Maybe he can help them."
Supporters of intelligent design say the universe is so complex that a higher being must have created it.
Opponents say it is an attempt by conservatives to introduce religion into the school science curriculum.
Last month parents in Dover sued the school board, accusing it of introducing religion and creationism into schools, in breach of the US constitutional separation of church and state.
The case against the intelligent design policy was heard in a federal court case which ended last week.
A verdict is expected early next year.