Bill would allow "intelligent design" for science classes [View All]

[peace4all]

Bill would allow "intelligent design" for science classes

By MARTHA RAFFAELE
The Associated Press


HARRISBURG, Pa. - School boards would be allowed to require the teaching of "intelligent design" - a concept that is the subject of a federal lawsuit in Pennsylvania - as part of science lessons under a bill that has been introduced in the state House of Representatives.

It's unclear whether the measure, sponsored by only a dozen lawmakers, will go anywhere as the Legislature prepares for state budget negotiations with Gov. Ed Rendell over the next two months.

Rep. Thomas C. Creighton, the prime sponsor, said it would encourage school boards to broaden the discussion of biological origins to include concepts besides the theory of evolution. Intelligent design holds that the universe must have been created by an unspecified guiding force because it is so complex.

"To say we're smart enough to know that there isn't an intelligent designer, we're being very arrogant in our thinking," said Creighton, R-Lancaster.

Opponents argue that intelligent design is merely a secular variation of creationism, the biblical-based view that regards God as the creator of life. They say teaching it in public schools violates the separation of church and state.

-more-

http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/103-04082005-473587.html