Judge Rules Out "Intelligent Design"

Concluding a six-week trial in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania today, Judge John E. Jones ruled that intelligent design violates the First Amendment Establishment Clause barring government from favoring or establishing one religion over another. The case involved the Dover Area School District's policy requiring ninth grade students to hear a statement about intelligent design prior to learning about evolution. The one-minute statement describes evolution as "not a fact" and intelligent design as an alternative explanation for the origin of life. Read more about the case here.

I believe it requires more "faith" to accept a theory that says our amazingly precise, intricately complex universe just exploded into being out of nothingness, than to believe in an intelligent Creator. I tend to agree with Isaac Newton who wrote, "This most beautiful system of the sun, planets and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being." (Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, 1687) If the theory of intelligent design holds enough validity for one of the most influential scientists in history, I say, what's the danger in offering it as an alternative consideration for our children in school? What do you say?

• Join the debate on the Christianity - General forum.
• Read Catholicism Guide Jessica Steinmetz's view.
• Read a Muslim view of intelligent design.
• Read Agnosticism / Atheism Guide Austin Cline's view.