Intelligent design
Intelligent Design is the theory that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, rather than natural processes, such as proscribe by the Theory of evolution[1]. Many design leave the identity of the intelligent cause open.[2]. Many proponents however admit to believe the intelligent cause to be God.
To date there has been one peer-reviewed article supporting Intelligent Design in the Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington [3] However, the journal later withdrew the article citing improper reviewing practices. [4] The former editor of that journal, however, asserts he followed all the standard procedures for publication in the Proceedings. [5]
Design theory enjoys a small amount of stated support within the worldwide scientific community (creationist scientists report there is widespread discriminatory action against creationist scientists[6]), but it is steadily growing. From 2001 to 2007 over 700 scientists had signed the pro-Intelligent Design manifesto A Scientific Dissent From Darwinism published by the leaders of the design movement, the Discovery Institute. [7] This has caused some scientists to question the claim of the dominant scientific community that evolution is the best explanation for the origin of life and call for public school science students to study the evidence supporting it in greater detail.
In a recent trial in Dover, Pennsylvania Judge John E. Jones III ruled that Intelligent Design was not valid science and "cannot uncouple itself from its creationist, and thus religious, antecedents". However, the WorldNetDaily stated: "A historic judicial ruling against intelligent design theory hailed as a "broad, stinging rebuke" and a "masterpiece of wit, scholarship and clear thinking" actually was "cut and pasted" from a brief by ACLU lawyers and includes many of their provable errors, contends the Seattle-based Discovery Institute." [8]
In a speech to the Anti-Defamation League, Jones said that "had I decided the Dover matter in a different way, I would have then engaged in just the kind of judicial activism which critics decry," stating that he was bound by "over a half century of strong legal precedents."[9]
Evidence
One of the first major books with evidence for intelligent design was Michael J. Behe's. Behe is a Professor of Biochemistry at Lehigh University. He alleges in "Darwin's Black Box" [10] that there are certain irreducible complexities which can only be addressed by an intelligent designer.
