Evolutionary theory is just that...a theory. It is not a proven fact, as there are flaws in the basic, unproven premise -- like the never found
missing link between apes and man -- but it has its theoretical strengths.
The same applies to Intelligent Design (ID). It is nothing less and nothing more than a theory.
The probability of a Universe and life coming into being from pure chance alone is fantastically small and makes no sense.
The physical laws which govern the Universe illustrate an orderly process to ALL THAT IS, not a chaotic mess of matter and energy.
If the Universe were a chaotic mess of matter and energy, there could never be life on this planet.
Order to the Universe and the physical laws thereof implies a premeditated organizational strategy. A premeditated organizational strategy implies
that there was a consciousness which initiated that order in the first place
The stance of those within the Judeo-Christian clergy who believe that Intelligent Design is an insult to God need to remember that it is only an
insult to their conception of God. Not everyone believes in the Judeo-Christian god. Furthermore, one does not have to embrace an established
monotheistic religion in order to agree with the basic premise of Intelligent Design.
Intelligent Design is very similar to the ideas found within
Deism; basically defined as the
belief, based solely on reason, in a God who created the universe and then abandoned it, assuming no control over life, exerting no influence on
natural phenomena, and giving no supernatural revelation.
An ironic twist about Deism, quoted from the above site...
<< Many of the leaders of the French and American revolutions followed this belief system, including John Quincy Adams, Ethan Allen, Benjamin
Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison Thomas Paine, and George Washington. Deists played a major role in creating the principle of separation of
church and state, and the religious freedom clauses of the 1st Amendment of the Constitution. >>
An argument against Intelligent Design is that it is really just a clever form of Creationism. Yet many of the leaders of the French and American
revolutions were able to separate Creationism from Deism, while also being instrumental in furthering the principle of separation of church and state.
So the argument that ID is simply Creationism in disguise and that it threatens the separation of church and state, simply doesn't wash.
In light of all of the above, Intelligent Design should be taught as a theory in schools just as Evolutionism is taught as a theory. In doing so, it
should be emphasized that ID does not prove or espouse the existence or validity of the Judeo-Christian god or any other god representative of any
traditional faith.
The main strength of Intelligent Design is that it logically points to a higher power having been responsible for the creation of an orderly Universe
that enabled life to emerge. How one interprets that higher power should be up to the individual, not solely to the scientific community and not
solely to the religious community.
[edit on 8-2-2006 by Paul_Richard]