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NEWS FEATURE:
Dover, Penn. Intelligent Design Case
September 30, 2005    Episode no. 905
Read This Week's November 7, 2008
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BOB ABERNETHY: In Pennsylvania this week, the national argument over teaching intelligent design in science classes led to a trial in federal court.

The case grew from an order last year by the school board in Dover, Pennsylvania, near Harrisburg, that a statement be read at the start of the ninth-grade unit on biology saying Charles Darwin's theory of evolution is not a fact and that intelligent design is an alternative explanation.

Photo of Dover Area High School sign Evolutionists say life developed gradually, by natural processes, over billions of years. Those favoring intelligent design say life is so complex it must have been created by a guiding intelligence.

The school board's order prompted a lawsuit by 11 parents who argue that intelligent design is just another name for biblical creationism. They say that makes intelligent design a part of religion and that to bring it into the public school classroom is to violate the separation of church and state. Richard Katskee represents the parents.

Photo of RICHARD KATSKEE RICHARD KATSKEE (Assistant Legal Director, Americans United for Separation of Church and State): You can't require the teaching of creationism alongside evolution because to do so is to advance a particular religious view, and that's exactly what we think is going on here.

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ABERNETHY: The school board insists it is not endorsing any religious view, only letting students know there's a difference of opinion about how life developed. Richard Thompson is the board's attorney.

RICHARD THOMPSON (President and Chief Counsel, Thomas More Law Center, Ann Arbor, Michigan): We're going to argue that intelligent design is science, it's not religion -- that what we have here is a debate amongst scientists as to which scientific theory best explains these complex biological systems that we have.

ABERNETHY: The nonjury trial is scheduled to last through October, with no ruling expected until at least December. However the judge rules, both sides see national consequences.

Mr. KATSKEE: It will be a message to this school board and a message to school boards across the country and to legislatures across the country.

Photo of RICHARD THOMPSON Mr. THOMPSON: If the Dover school district wins this battle over intelligent design, you will see intelligent design popping up all over the nation.

ABERNETHY: An analysis by the Pew Research Center of recent polls this week reports that most Americans are not familiar with the term "intelligent design." But when asked about creationism, roughly 40 to 50 percent accept it, as in the Bible's account, while equal numbers accept evolution. Should creationism be added to public school curriculums? Two thirds of Americans say yes.

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