Intelligent Design Should Alternatives to Evolution Theory Be Taught?
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Researcher Published by CQ Press, a division of Congressional Quarterly Inc. CQ thecqresearcher.com Intelligent Design Should alternatives to evolution theory be taught? he Kansas Board of Education is likely to vote in September to replace the state’s newly updated science-teaching standards with a revised version that plays down evolution and rejects the idea that Tscience is a search for “natural” explanations only. The change would open the doors of biology classrooms to supernatural ex- planations of human life and origins, including the increasingly popular concept of “intelligent design” — the idea that life is so complex it could only have been created by an intelligent being. Believers in intelligent design see evidence of a higher School boards and lawmakers in nearly half the states, including power in such complex natural systems as the double helix structure of DNA. Georgia, Pennsylvania and New York, are examining similar pro- posals. Most scientists say intelligent design is just a new, more I N acceptable name for biblical creationism. But intelligent-design THIS REPORT S supporters argue that they only want an equal hearing for alternate THE ISSUES ......................639 I theories of life’s origins and a chance for students to examine BACKGROUND ..................646 D what they say are serious gaps in evolutionary science. CHRONOLOGY ..................647 E CURRENT SITUATION ..........651 AT ISSUE ..........................653 The CQ Researcher • July 29, 2005 • www.thecqresearcher.com OUTLOOK ........................655 Volume 15, Number 27 • Pages 637-660 BIBLIOGRAPHY ..................658 RECIPIENT OF SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS AWARD FOR THE NEXT STEP ................659 EXCELLENCE N AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION SILVER GAVEL AWARD INTELLIGENT DESIGN CQ Researcher July 29, 2005 THE ISSUES OUTLOOK Volume 15, Number 27 • Is intelligent design a Surviving the Courts MANAGING EDITOR: Thomas J. Colin 639 scientific theory? 655 Intelligent design is expected • Can a person believe in to win future court victories. ASSISTANT MANAGING EDITOR: Kathy Koch evolution and still believe ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Kenneth Jost in God? STAFF WRITERS: Marcia Clemmitt, Peter Katel, • Should public-school sci- SIDEBARS AND GRAPHICS Pamela M. Prah ence classes “teach the con- Anti-Evolution Measures CONTRIBUTING WRITERS: Sarah Glazer, troversy” surrounding evolu- 640 Several are being considered. David Hosansky, Patrick Marshall, tion and intelligent design? Tom Price Majority Supports Teaching DESIGN/PRODUCTION EDITOR: Olu B. Davis BACKGROUND 641 All Theories Many Americans say evolution, ASSISTANT EDITOR: Melissa J. Hipolit Modern Science creationism and intelligent de- 646 In the early-19th century, sign all should be taught. scholars developed a new approach to studying nature. The Case for Evolution 642 Biologists cite numerous Voyage to Evolution types of evidence. 648 Charles Darwin shipped A Division of Chronology Congressional Quarterly Inc. out on the H.M.S. Beagle 647 Key events since 1800. at age 22. SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT/GENERAL MANAGER: 648 Phillip Johnson’s Campaign John A. Jenkins Darwin and God Against Darwinism DIRECTOR, LIBRARY PUBLISHING: Kathryn C. Suárez 650 Darwin was torn about The founder of the intelligent- the existence of a Creator. design movement predicts DIRECTOR, EDITORIAL OPERATIONS: Jesus will prevail. Ann Davies Creation on Trial CONGRESSIONAL QUARTERLY INC. 651 The first court test of a Intelligent-Design Advocates 652 CHAIRMAN: Paul C. Tash law barring teaching evo- Turn to Math They seek a formula explain- VICE CHAIRMAN: Andrew P. Corty lution came in 1925 in ing complex structures. Tennessee. PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER: Robert W. Merry At Issue Copyright © 2005 CQ Press, a division of Congres- 653 Should public schools “teach CURRENT SITUATION the controversy” surrounding sional Quarterly Inc. (CQ). CQ reserves all copyright evolution and intelligent design? and other rights herein, unless previously specified Abandoning Genesis in writing. No part of this publication may be re- 651 In the early 1990s, anti- produced electronically or otherwise, without prior FOR FURTHER RESEARCH written permission. Unauthorized reproduction or evolutionists began to transmission of CQ copyrighted material is a violation play down the biblical of federal law carrying civil fines of up to $100,000. creation story. For More Information 657 Organizations to contact. CQ Researcher (ISSN 1056-2036) is printed on acid- Science Redefined free paper. Published weekly, except March 25, July 654 Bibliography 1, July 8, Aug. 5, Aug. 12, Nov. 25, Dec. 23 and Dec. Many schools require 658 Selected sources used. teaching criticism of 30, by CQ Press, a division of Congressional Quarter- evolution. ly Inc. Annual subscription rates for institutions start 659 The Next Step at $625. For pricing, call 1-800-834-9020, ext. 1906. Additional articles. To purchase a CQ Researcher report in print or elec- Battle in Kansas tronic format (PDF), visit www.cqpress.com or call 654 Citing The CQ Researcher Kansas anti-evolutionists are 659 866-427-7737. A single report is $10. Bulk purchase pursuing a new strategy. Sample bibliography formats. discounts and electronic-rights licensing are also available. Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C., and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CQ Researcher, 1255 22nd Cover: Believers in intelligent design see evidence of a higher power in such complex natural St., N.W., Suite 400, Washington, DC 20037. systems as the double helix structure of DNA. (Corbis Images/Steve Allen) 638 The CQ Researcher Intelligent Design BY MARCIA CLEMMITT versity of California law pro- fessor who launched the in- THE ISSUES telligent-design movement in he word “science” will the early 1990s. 4 (See side- have a new meaning bar, p. 648.) Johnson’s strat- T in Kansas if the state egy worries Michael Ruse, a School Board has its way in professor of philosophy at September. Under a new de- Florida State University. “As finition the board is expect- far as the scientific commu- ed to adopt, the teaching of nity is concerned . intelli- science in Kansas classrooms gent design is religion tarted will include supernatural ex- up to look like science to get planations for natural phe- around the U.S. Constitution,” nomena. Ruse said. Intelligent-design Under the new definition, advocates are “being pushed biology teachers will be re- by people with a much more quired to discuss alternatives right-wing agenda.” 5 to Charles Darwin’s theory of Focusing on intelligent de- evolution, such as intelligent sign instead of creationism has design — the idea that hu- enabled evolution opponents mans were purposely de- to turn the effort to ban or signed by a higher intelli- limit evolution teaching into a gence. nationwide battle. While only The changes will be a sig- Kansas has passed legislation nificant victory for John Calvert suggesting that alternatives to — a retired lawyer and evolution be taught, anti-evo- founder of the Kansas-based Smith Getty Images/Larry W. lution bills are pending or have Intelligent Design Network, John Calvert’s Intelligent Design Network is pushing the been considered in at least 16 which pushed for the new Kansas Board of Education to require teachers to discuss states. (See map, p. 640.) definition. In Calvert’s view, alternatives to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution, such And this year, serious chal- as intelligent design — the idea that life was designed by there is substantial evidence a higher intelligence. Kansas is the only state that has lenges to teaching evolution that living things were actu- passed legislation suggesting that alternatives to evolution in public schools have arisen ally designed by an intelligent be taught, but anti-evolution measures are pending or in such traditionally liberal being, and the “Evidence have been considered in at least 16 states, including states as Michigan, New York, should not be censored,” he Michigan, New York, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. told CNN. 1 “I used to call it a glass But most scientists say no such ev- clusion of alternative ideas, such as Bible- wall,” says Larry Scharmann, a profes- idence exists. “In the scientific com- based creationism, which holds that sor of science education at Kansas State munity, evolution is an accepted fact,” God created all the species on Earth University, referring to the invisible wall said Alan Leshner, CEO of the Amer- just as they are. In the past decade, that once separated the Midwest from ican Association for the Advancement however, many evolution opponents the fervent religious lobbying in South- of Science (AAAS), the world’s largest have stopped raising religious issues di- ern states where evolution was driven scientific organization. 2 rectly, arguing instead that there is as out of the biology curriculum. “Now I “Without evolution, the building will much evidence of intelligent design as say, ‘How did it happen here?’ ” fall down. It’s the cornerstone of bi- there is that humans evolved naturally. Although rising religious conser- ology,” said Al Frisby, a biology teacher “Our strategy has been to change vatism helps explain evolution oppo- at Shawnee Mission Northwest High the subject a bit so that we can get nents’ recent success, Americans’ School. 3 intelligent design — which really sense of fair play — which demands Conservative Christians have long tried means the reality of God — before the that alternate ideas also are