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The Privileged Planet

Astronomers are discovering that the earth is anything but unremarkable and that it may very well be unique in its ability to support intelligent life. Dr. Jay Richards, co-author of the provocative new book The Privileged Planet, will discuss why the earth’s location and design make not only life, but scientific discovery possible. Dr. Richards, Vice-President of Discovery Institute, has Read More ›

Pope Echoes Arguments of Intelligent Design Advocates

This article, published by Religion News Service, quotes Bruce Chapman of Discovery Institute: Bruce Chapman, president of the Seattle-based Discovery Institute, who worked to develop Schönborn’s July 7 op-ed and is a major proponent of intelligent design, said it appears the pope was merely trying to “correct the misstatements” about church teaching on evolution. “The traditional view of the church Read More ›

‘Intelligent design’ theory definitely belongs in biology class—as a history lesson in the evolution of thought.

Original Article I don’t believe that the universe was intelligently designed. I don’t think that “intelligent design” is a scientific theory: It appeals to the supernatural and cannot be empirically tested. I think its proponents have religious motivations for trying to insert it into the curriculum. But I also believe it should be taught in high school biology classes. The Read More ›

Let ‘intelligent design’ and science rumble

Original Article MICHAEL BALTER is a human evolution writer for Science. The views expressed above are his own. Should “Intelligent DESIGN” be taught in school alongside the theory of evolution? That’s the question being tried in a federal court in Pennsylvania, where 11 parents have sued to block the teaching of intelligent design in Dover’s high school. But it’s the Read More ›

people-debating-at-business-presentation-stockpack-adobe-stock
people debating at business presentation
Image Credit: aerogondo - Adobe Stock

Radical Role Reversal in Evolution Debate

Eighty years ago in Dayton, Tennessee, the ACLU went to court to defend the right of John Scopes to teach Darwin’s theory of evolution. Last week, the ACLU went to court in Pennsylvania to prevent students in the Dover School District from learning about an alternative theory known as intelligent design. The Dover lawsuit demonstrates the radical role reversal that Read More ›

Have You Heard the Good News…

We have heard it stated so often it has become a media mantra: Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) offer the greatest hope for cures; adult and umbilical cord blood stem cells have far less potential; the Bush administration’s embryonic stem cell funding restrictions have caused America to fall behind in the great international race to develop effective ESC treatments. Baloney, baloney, Read More ›

Academic Freedom Under Attack in NCSE Letter Seeking to Limit Teaching of Evolution

SEATTLE – “Once again, academic freedom is under attack and an attempt is being made to censor scientific thought,” Robert Crowther, Director of Communications for the Center for Science and Culture at Discovery Institute said today in response to a letter from the National Center for Science Education and others urging all 50 state governors to restrict teaching the controversies of Read More ›

A couple of bad ideas: Legislature shouldn’t design curriculum

Original Article It’s only November, but a couple of bad legislative proposals are already knocking around the Statehouse. Take, for instance, an idea floating among Republican members of the House to require the teaching of intelligent design alongside evolution in public schools. Now, Hoosiers could no doubt argue the merits and demerits of both ID and evolution for hours, if Read More ›

To Debate or Not to Debate Intelligent Design?

Original Article When I heard that advocates of “Intelligent Design” were urging schools to “teach the controversy” between their view and Darwinian evolution, I was dismayed. About 20 years ago, I coined the phrase “teach the controversy” when I argued that schools and colleges should respond to the then-emerging culture wars over education by bringing their disputes into academic courses Read More ›

Imposter Design Theory On Trial In Dover Case, Real Intelligent Design Still Not Discussed in Court

Harrisburg, PA – Building on the mischaracterizations of the first day’s witness, the ACLU continued to put an imposter version of intelligent design on trial in the second day of the Kitzmiller v. Dover trial. “I know what intelligent design is, and it sure isn’t what they’re talking about in Harrisburg,” said Casey Luskin, the program officer for public policy and Read More ›