Here endeth the lesson (Debate against intelligent design) The Guardian

[applegrove]

Here endeth the lesson

Intelligent design is just creationism in disguise. This nonsense has no place in science classes

James Randerson
Wednesday December 13, 2006
The Guardian


"'We're seeking to have intelligent design and criticisms of Darwinism taught in science lessons." That was Dr Richard Buggs, of the campaign group Truth in Science, putting the case for teaching intelligent design in British schools on the Guardian science podcast this week. Proponents of ID claim that it is a viable scientific alternative to Darwinism. As such, they say, it deserves a place alongside Darwin in science lessons.

Who could argue with that? Darwin's theory has been around for nearly 150 years and has survived many challenges. Why not throw in ID too? Isn't education all about exposing children to ideas and letting them make up their own minds, not force-feeding them dogma?

This argument has been well used by ID's proponents in the US and it appears to be gaining ground over here. The Guardian has revealed that dozens of schools appear to be using teaching materials that promote the idea.

By framing the debate in this way, the creationists - and, yes, they are creationists - have pulled off an impressive rhetorical coup. They have cast the scientists as dogmatic, reactionary and even fundamentalist aggressors who would deny school pupils the chance to hear all sides of the debate

........SNIP"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/story/0,,1970910,00.html

[applegrove]

1. "There is no evidence that could in principle disprove ID, so by definition it is not science."

I like that argument.