I prefer to have most layout and navigation handled in CSS. Yes, Lynx might not support it, but all full featured browsers that I am aware of can't turn it off. Then JavaScript can be used for more flashy but not required things. I also like Ruby on Rails for this purpose. It can do a lot of what JavaScript would be required to do server side as long as you don't need dynamic page updates.
More targeted to the answer of the question: I don't LIKE required JavaScript, but there is a business case where it is required as ChrisF noted.
