Intelligent Design v. Evolution: The Latest Battle in the Culture Wars
How will the ruling against teaching intelligent design in science classrooms in Dover,
Pennsylvania, affect education throughout the United States?
by Frank Dunkle
On Dec. 20, 2005, the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania ruled that schools
may not inform students of the theory of intelligent design (ID) in science classes, giving the enemies
of religion another victory in the "Culture Wars."
In his ruling, Federal Judge John E. Jones III said that such teaching violates the constitutional
separation of church and state and concluded that ID is religious teaching and not a scientific theory.
The case arose in late 2004 when the Dover Area School Board passed a resolution saying that students
would be made aware of gaps in Darwin's theory of evolution and would be taught other theories, including intelligent design. The resolution specifically stated that the origin of life would not be taught in school.
The board adopted a statement to be read to ninth grade biology students. A number of parents reacted
by filing suit to block the board's plan, which would have been implemented in January 2005.
The controversial statement
What could have aroused so much controversy and led some parents to believe they must take legal
action to protect their children? Ninth grade students were to hear the following:
"The Pennsylvania Academic Standards require students to learn about Darwin's Theory of Evolution
and eventually to take a standardized test of which evolution is a part.
"Because Darwin's Theory is a theory, it continues to be tested as new evidence is discovered. The
Theory is not a fact. Gaps in the Theory exist for which there is no evidence. A theory is defined as a
well-tested explanation that unifies a broad range of observations.
"Intelligent Design is an explanation of the origin of life that differs from Darwin's view. The
reference book, Of Pandas and People, is available for students who might be interested in
gaining an understanding of what Intelligent Design actually involves.
