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.

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.