Evolution curriculum continues in controversy

The issue of intelligent design has been hurled into the public eye due to a recent lawsuit in Harrisburg, Pa.

Parents of ninth-grade biology students at Dover High School brought the suit against the school board after discovering that their students were taught alternatives to evolution theories.

Intelligent design is the theory that certain things in nature are so complex that God must have created them.

The most prominent issue at stake is scientific integrity or, as Jon Garon, dean of the Hamline University School of Law called it, "The sound teaching of science."

While advocates of intelligent design teachings argue that, as a theory, intelligent design is equal in validity to evolution theories, opponents counter by denying any scientific basis for the intelligent design theory."

They discount it as "the latest disguise for Creationism," which has been barred from curricula since 1987, said Jeremy Leaming, a spokesman for Americans United for Separation of Church and State.

The heated nature of the debate has left each side wary of its opponent's actions.

"It's a mess and I don't know which side is doing what," said David Clounch, the manager of the Minnesota branch of the Intelligent Design Network and a proponent of teaching intelligent design in public schools.

Another major issue of contention is whether intelligent design has a place in a science course.

Both Valerie Munson, founder of the department of religion at Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott law firm in Pennsylvania and Clounch said it is the duty of public schools to provide students with alternative teachings and opportunities to think independently.

Objectivity, neutrality and the removal of philosophical and religious bias are the goals of his organization, Clounch said.

He said both sides of the debate are too frustrated to reach a compromise.

Some experts argue against intelligent design in order to preserve the separation between church and state with clear distinction.

However, this is complicated by advocates' desire for protection of their freedom of speech. But Leaming said the First Amendment is not an issue.

"Evolution is not controversy," he said. He added that biology courses are not the place for proselytizing.

He said he believes the school board's intentions were very clearly religious.

"One member said, 'Someone needs to defend Jesus,' when asked about the intention of the teaching," Leaming said.

Munson, a supporter of intelligent design, said she thinks the main concern of parents in Dover was the intention of the school board.

But she said she does not believe persuasion is the goal of intelligent design teachings.

"Even if intelligent design is not found to be scientifically legitimate, it should be available as a secular purpose of fostering critical thinking," she said.

 

Contact the State & National Editor at stntdesk@unc.edu.