Reply #77: Evolution row reaches new heights as Bush backs 'intelligent design' [View All]

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Evolution row reaches new heights as Bush backs 'intelligent design'
By Geneviève Roberts
Published: 04 August 2005

The evolution versus creationism debate in the United States has escalated after President George Bush said the theory of "intelligent design" should be taught alongside evolution in public schools. Then, "people can understand what the debate is about", he said.

"First of all, that decision should be made local school districts, but I felt like both sides ought to be properly taught," Mr Bush said in an interview with five Texas newspapers.

"I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought. You're asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, and the answer is yes."

Intelligent design, advanced by a group of academics and some biblical creationists, disputes the idea that natural selection fully explains the complexity of life. Intelligent design proponents say life is so intricate that only a powerful guiding force, or intelligent designer, could have created it.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article303559.ece