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Intelligent Design: A Rational Approach to Origins?
If the study of origins is to have its basis in scientific discovery then there are two things that cannot be brought into scientific discussion. Yet in the case of both evolution and creation arguments there are extra ideas routinely presented.
In the case of evolution it is a theory-based faith in natural selection and Darwinian evolutionary thought that can cloud scientific observation.
In the model of creation it is often theology that can interfere with scientific observation. In each case it is faith in something that cannot be proven by science that may not allow either side to reach the most conclusive scientific evidence in support of either scientific origins model.
That is not to make a judgment call on faith origins of either theory, however it is an acknowledgement that faith and science have always had a unique love/hate relationship.
When the faith element is removed from scientific discovery we find that scientists on both sides of the origins debate can have more meaningful discussions on what is actually observed.
While it may be true that many intelligent design theorists have a theological understanding of origins the theory of intelligent design neither names the designer nor do they assign a timeframe in which the design was accomplished.
It is interesting that while many intelligent design theorists are willing to put aside their theological point of view evolutionary theorists are not as willing to do so. Evolutionists are quick to criticize intelligent design as a religion, but fail to consider the faith aspects of their own theory.
Intelligent design has proponents who are Jewish, Christian as well as agnostic. Does this seem to indicate a conspiracy developed by a single belief system?
In the spring of 2007 Southern Methodist University of Dallas, Texas had a Darwin vs. Design conference hosted by the Christian Legal Society to debate origin theories. However, many scientists at SMU were incensed by the idea that intelligent design would be equated with science in this forum.
Stephens Meyers, Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture said, "The main misimpression that's been given of intelligent design is that it is a religious or faith-based theory. In fact the theory is based on scientific evidence." In mid April the conference was held as planned.
Evolutionists were also very opposed to the opening of the $27 million Creation Museum in Kentucky in 2007. Evolutionists oppose the museum because it, "Confuse (kids) about what is science and what isn't science," and "The nature of the science process that's presented … is very different from how science is really done by real scientists." [1]
Creation science may hold a strong theological bias, but evolution science holds a strong natural selection bias, and both require faith.
Intelligent design may hold the most rational, logical starting point for scientific discussion while refusing to deny the faith perspective of any individual scientist.
[1] http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/internati...
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