I prefer to have most layout and navigation handled in CSS.  Yes, [Lynx][1] 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.

  [1]: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynx_%28web_browser%29