North Texas Skeptic - Vol 23 No 12 - 2009

Magazine Overview

Title: The North Texas Skeptic
Issue: Volume 23, Number 12
Date: December 2009
Publisher: The North Texas Skeptics
Country: USA
Language: English

This issue of The North Texas Skeptic, dated December 2009, features a cover story titled "The state of Intelligent Design" by John Blanton. The article critically examines the Intelligent Design (ID) movement, positioning it as a contemporary form of creationism and a significant challenge to legitimate science.

The State of Intelligent Design

The lead article by John Blanton begins by drawing an analogy between creationism and a losing football team that, despite changing its strategy and acquiring 'college degrees' (credentials), still fails to win. This metaphor illustrates the evolution of creationism from its earlier forms to the more sophisticated presentation of Intelligent Design. Blanton notes that ID emerged when creationists realized that their previous arguments were not gaining traction, partly due to a lack of academic credentials and scientific basis.

Intelligent Design is described as being 'hatched' by college-educated creationists. The movement gained momentum around the time of legal challenges to creation science in public schools, such as the 1982 Arkansas ruling by Judge William Overton and the 1987 Supreme Court decision in Edwards v. Aguillard, which declared creation science a religious doctrine.

Michael Denton's 1985 book, "Evolution, a Theory in Crisis," is identified as a key influence, arguing for design in nature. Phillip Johnson, a law professor, is highlighted as a pivotal figure who, after reading Richard Dawkins' "The Blind Watchmaker," decided to challenge Darwinian evolution. Johnson's book "Darwin on Trial" attempted to frame the debate as a legal matter, though it was largely dismissed by scientists.

A significant point of departure for ID proponents was the 1992 conference at Southern Methodist University. Here, figures like Johnson and Jon Buell indicated a shift from young-Earth creationism, acknowledging the age of the Earth and common ancestry, but still insisting on divine intervention for the development of life forms.

The Wedge Strategy

The article delves into the 'Wedge Document,' a strategy developed by the Center for Science and Culture (CSC) at the Discovery Institute. This document, originally an internal memo, outlines the CSC's goal to "defeat scientific materialism" and replace it with a theistic understanding that nature and human beings are created by God. The document's frankness, when leaked, caused embarrassment to the new creationists.

Legal Battles and Critiques

The Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District lawsuit is a central focus. The article recounts how Intelligent Design proponents, including Michael Behe and William Dembski, were involved. Behe was forced to concede under cross-examination that his definition of good science would include astrology. The claimants' lawyers presented evidence showing how ID evolved from creation science, with transitional texts substituting 'Intelligent Design' for 'creation science' after legal rulings.

Judge John E. Jones III, a Republican appointee, ruled decisively against Intelligent Design in the Kitzmiller case, calling the defendants' actions duplicitous and mentioning perjury. The article notes that the Discovery Institute distanced itself from the Kitzmiller trial when it became clear the defendants would lose, but later engaged in public campaigns against the judge's integrity.

Propaganda and Tactics

The article characterizes the CSC as a "propaganda mill." It points to the IDEA club web, student organizations inspired by Casey Luskin, and the Evolution News Web site as components of this propaganda effort. The CSC's fellows, such as Stephen C. Meyer, are noted for emphasizing their Ph.D. credentials to lend an air of scientific legitimacy.

The article criticizes the lack of peer-reviewed science produced by Intelligent Design advocates. It cites examples of their publications, including Meyer's book "Signature in the Cell" and Behe's "Darwin's Black Box," questioning the peer-review process for these works. The movie "Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed" is mentioned for its attempts to link Darwinism with the Holocaust.

Intelligent Design is described as a favored topic among conservative politicians. The article notes Ann Coulter's book "Godless: The Church of Liberalism" as an example of this connection.

Defining Intelligent Design

Blanton attempts to define Intelligent Design, stating that at its core, it is an effort to maintain religious beliefs within the framework of scientific explanation. While Darwin argued that natural processes suffice to explain evolution, ID asserts that purely natural causes are insufficient. The argument is that chance alone cannot account for beneficial features, implying the necessity of an intelligent designer. The article suggests that ID proponents attempt to "hide God within the vagaries of probability."

The article criticizes the argument for design as anthropocentric and not applicable to physical sciences, suggesting that natural selection is the process that drives design in living organisms.

Tactics of New Creationists

Several tactics employed by ID proponents are outlined:

• Teach the controversy: Creating the impression that evolution is a controversial topic among scientists.
• Academic freedom: Arguing for the inclusion of ID under the guise of open inquiry.
• Keep religious-based science out of the schools: Ironically used to argue against evolution, which the article labels as "religious-based science."

Skeptic Ink Cartoon

A "Skeptic Ink" cartoon by Prasad Golla and John Blanton illustrates the suppression of scientists who advocate Intelligent Design, with characters lamenting their inability to present sharp arguments.

What Does Not Get Said

The article concludes by stating that the controversy about evolution is essentially the creationists' opposition to it. They propose their own resolution to the controversy, which is to get their own way. The article dismisses the idea of academic freedom applying to topics like Intelligent Design, comparing it to the exclusion of topics like "Debbie Does Dallas."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

The recurring theme throughout the issue is the critique of Intelligent Design as a pseudoscientific movement that attempts to reintroduce religious arguments into science education under a new guise. The editorial stance is clearly skeptical of Intelligent Design, viewing it as a continuation of creationism's opposition to evolutionary science, lacking scientific rigor and relying on propaganda and legal maneuvering rather than empirical evidence. The magazine advocates for a scientific approach to understanding the natural world and opposes the imposition of religious beliefs into science curricula.