Lawyers Prepare to Defend 'Intelligent Design'

posted: 17 October 2005 08:49 am ET

HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania (AP) -- So far, a landmark U.S. federal trial over whether intelligent design should be introduced to public school students before the theory of evolution has featured teachers and parents against the move. Now the defense has its chance.

SPECIAL REPORT
Evolution & Intelligent Design

PART 1
An Ambiguous Assault on Evolution
This Trojan Horse for Creationism has become very popular. But who is being duped? And what does it all mean for morality?

PART 2
'The Death of Science'
Intelligent design is presented as a legitimate scientific theory and an alternative to Darwinism, but a close look at the arguments shows they don't pass scientific muster. So why are scientists worried?

PART 3
Belief Posing as Theory
As evolution takes a beating, scientists remind us of the difference between fact, theory and belief.

PART 4:
Anti-evolution Attacks on the Rise
Each time the effort to introduce creationism into classrooms starts up again, so does legislation aimed against evolution. Learn about the rash of recent cases, plus a look at historically pertinent court cases.

Lawyers for the Dover Area School Board begin presenting their case Monday, defending the decision a year ago to require students to hear a statement on intelligent design before ninth-grade biology lessons on evolution.

The statement says Charles Darwin's theory is "not a fact,'' has inexplicable "gaps,'' and refers students to a textbook called "Of Pandas and People'' for more information.

Eight families suing to have intelligent design removed from the biology curriculum contend that the policy essentially promotes the Bible's view of creation, violating the constitutional separation of church and state.

Mainstream scientists have rejected intelligent design as scientifically untested and contend that its supporters focus on attacking evolutionary theory rather than providing evidence for design.

The defense is expected to lead off with Lehigh University biochemistry professor Michael Behe, whose work includes a 1996 best seller called "Darwin's Black Box.'' Behe argues that Darwinian evolution cannot fully explain the biological complexities of life, suggesting the work of an intelligent force.

Lehigh's biology department sought to distance itself from Behe in August, posting a statement on its Web site that says the faculty "are unequivocal in their support of evolutionary theory.''

The non-jury trial, before U.S. District Judge John E. Jones III, began Sept. 26 and is expected to last up to five weeks.

The plaintiffs are represented by a team put together by the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The school district is being represented by the Thomas More Law Center, a public-interest law firm based in Ann Arbor, Michigan, that says its mission is to defend the religious freedom of Christians.

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