Intelligent Design should be taught as an alternative theory to Evolution.

======== Introduction ======== Darwin's Theory of Evolution is not the only theory out there to explain the diversity of life. Intelligent Design is a viable alternative. Definitions Theory of Intelligent Design: "The theory of intelligent design holds that certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection." (intelligentdesign.org) Evolution: "The gradual process by which the present diversity of plant and animal life arose from the earliest and most primitive organisms..." (talkorigins.org, as cited from Oxford Concise Science Dictionary) ======== Contention 1: Education is Public ======== A 2005 poll by Harris Interactive showed that 54% of U.S. adults "do not think human beings developed from an earlier species." Intelligent Design is therefore the theory that represents the viewpoint of the majority of the United States. Education is public and tax-funded, and these same people who agree with Intelligent Design are sending their children to public schools. These schools should thus teach what the parents want their children to learn. As Intelligent Design supporters make up the majority of the population, it is only reasonable to require that Intelligent Design be taught as an alternative theory to Evolution. ======== Contention 2: Scientists Support Intelligent Design ======== Answers in Genesis has a list of over 300 scientists in support of Intelligent Design. This gives scientific credibility to the theory of Intelligent Design. I see this contention as not as significant as the other two; however, it is still a point worth making. Intelligent Design has not only the majority on its side, but it has the scientific majority on its side. ======== Contention 3: The Science Does Not Support Evolution ======== 3a. Evolution has never been observed. Science cannot function without empirical evidence, and we have never gathered any such evidence for evolution. 3b. During the Cambrian Explosion, a huge number of species appeared within a very short time span. This event is unexplained by Evolutionists. 3c. The earth is not old enough for evolution to be a sound explanation for the diversity of life. Bacterial life, much less animal life, is unimaginably complicated. There is no way in which life could have developed so quickly. 3d. Evolution denies the Second Law of Thermodynamics, which states that "Energy spontaneously tends to flow only from being concentrated in one place to becoming diffused or dispersed and spread out." (secondlaw.com) But this is conflicting with the theory of Evolution, which states that life grew more complicated over time. Given the Second Law of Thermodynamics, increasing complication over such a long period of time is not possible. 3e. New information cannot arise through genetic mutations. 3f. Ignoring point 3e, Evolution is not adequate to explain the sheer complexity of life. The probability of complex life arising by chance is so low that it is zero for all practical purposes. We can thus infer that life did not arise by chance. 3 Conclusion. There is inadequate evidence supporting Evolution. However, each of the flaws in Evolution can be explained by the inclusion of an intelligent designer. Therefore, Intelligent Design is a valid theory to explain the diversity of life, and should be taught at least alongside Evolution. ======= Conclusion ======= Intelligent Design is the most widely accepted theory, and has the evidence on its side. We go to school to learn, so it is important that schools teach Intelligent Design. Resources 1. "Intelligent Design." Explaining the Science of Intelligent Design. 22 Apr. 2009 <http://www.intelligentdesign.org...;. 2. "What is Evolution?" TalkOrigins Archive: Exploring the Creation/Evolution Controversy. 22 Apr. 2009 <http://www.talkorigins.org...;. 3. "Harris Interactive | The Harris Poll - Nearly Two-thirds of U.S. Adults Believe Human Beings Were Created by God." Harris Interactive. Harris Interactive. 22 Apr. 2009 <http://www.harrisinteractive.com...;. 4. "Creation scientists and other biographies of interest." Answers in Genesis - Creation, Evolution, Christian Apologetics. 22 Apr. 2009 <http://www.answersingenesis.org...;. 5. "(2)." The Second Law of Thermodynamics. 22 Apr. 2009 <http://www.secondlaw.com...;.