The Discovery Institute seems to have given up on the pretense that intelligent design is a scientific enterprise. As in, this pretense is no more. It has ceased to be. It's expired and gone to meet its Maker. It's a stiff, bereft of life, it rests in peace. If you hadn't have nailed it to the perch it'd be pushing up the daisies. It's rung down the curtain and joined the choir invisible. This is an ex-pretense!
With due apologies to the crew of the Flying Circus, the Discovery Institute puts paid to their earlier claims that they're only concerned about science and that ID isn't religion in disguise with the launch of their new website "Faith and Evolution." From the "About" portion of their site:
This site is designed to be especially helpful for pastors, lay leaders, Sunday School teachers, and students.
So take a look at the Curricula portion of their site:
SCIENCE
Explore Evolution
Use this complete curriculum (textbook, DVD, outlines and lesson plans, test bank, and Powerpoint presentations) to teach the evidence for and against modern evolutionary theory. Especially suitable for: High school and college biology classes; home school classes; private study; adult enrichment seminars.
Icons of Evolution
Use this book, study guide, and DVD to critically examine key evidences offered in support of the modern theory of evolution. Especially suitable for: High school and college biology classes; home school classes; private study; adult enrichment seminars.
The Case for Intelligent Design
Use this free article by Stephen Meyer and accompanying discussion questions to explore the history, logic, and evidence for intelligent design as a scientific theory. Especially suitable for: Small group discussions, or as one session of an adult Sunday School class on science and faith or intelligent design.
Explore Evolution
Use this complete curriculum (textbook, DVD, outlines and lesson plans, test bank, and Powerpoint presentations) to teach the evidence for and against modern evolutionary theory. Especially suitable for: High school and college biology classes; home school classes; private study; adult enrichment seminars.
Icons of Evolution
Use this book, study guide, and DVD to critically examine key evidences offered in support of the modern theory of evolution. Especially suitable for: High school and college biology classes; home school classes; private study; adult enrichment seminars.
The Case for Intelligent Design
Use this free article by Stephen Meyer and accompanying discussion questions to explore the history, logic, and evidence for intelligent design as a scientific theory. Especially suitable for: Small group discussions, or as one session of an adult Sunday School class on science and faith or intelligent design.
Yes, that's all the science resources they list.
Do they list publications or articles or textbooks commonly accepted in the scientific community? No.
Do they list resources that describe why intelligent design isn't science? - No. (Don't forget, the Discovery Institute was pushing for "academic freedom" in state legislatures. We see once again how their version of "academic freedom" means anything but.)
Do they specify that the materials are for use in non-public high schools? No.
So despite their claim that they're just trying to promote science education in our country, they've made it clear once again that they wouldn't mind getting intelligently-de$igned textbook$ into our public high school science classes.
Despite their best efforts, though, the overwhelming evidence at the DI's new site shows that this whole issue isn't a matter of science v. religion; it's all about how "best" to interpret Scripture.
And, to bastardize the Circus again, "Strange lawyers lying and distributing words is no basis for a system of science education!"
posted by Cheryl Shepherd-Adams
