Frist Denigrates Science, Backs Intelligent Design

[Ant]

 Frist Backs 'Intelligent Design' Teaching

By ROSE FRENCH, Associated Press WriterFri Aug 19, 4:01 PM ET

Echoing similar comments from President Bush, Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said "intelligent design" should be taught in public schools alongside evolution.

Frist, R-Tenn., spoke to a Rotary Club meeting Friday and told reporters afterward that students need to be exposed to different ideas, including intelligent design.

"I think today a pluralistic society should have access to a broad range of fact, of science, including faith," Frist said.

Frist, a doctor who graduated from Harvard Medical School, said exposing children to both evolution and intelligent design "doesn't force any particular theory on anyone. I think in a pluralistic society that is the fairest way to go about education and training people for the future."

The theory of intelligent design says life on earth is too complex to have developed through evolution, implying that a higher power must have had a hand in creation. Nearly all scientists dismiss it as a scientific theory, and critics say it's nothing more than religion masquerading as science.

Bush recently told a group of Texas reporters that intelligent design and evolution should both be taught in schools "so people can understand what the debate is about."

That comment sparked criticism from opponents, including Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean, who called Bush "anti-science."

Frist, who is considering a presidential campaign in 2008, recently angered some conservatives by bucking Bush policy on embryonic stem cell research, voicing his support for expanded research on the subject.

Frist said his decision to endorse stem cell research was "a matter of science," but he said there was no conflict between his position on stem cell research and his position on intelligent design.

"To me, I see no disconnect between that and stem cell research," Frist said. "I base my beliefs on stem cell research both on science and my faith."

Copyright © 2005 The Associated

[J Bananas]

Why are we debating what should be taught if NO ONE knows where the world came from?

[Sikotic™]

I think this debate is simple, teach both theories. They both have valid points and hell, they're both THEORIES. None of them are proven.

[Ant]

I think this debate is simple, teach both theories. They both have valid points and hell, they're both THEORIES. None of them are proven.

No offense man, but that opinion has some issues.  I personally think the debate is simple too.  Don't teach ID in science class.  Obviously everyone doesn't agree. 

I really don't think this is even a matter of personal opinion.  Science class traditionally teaches scientific theories.  Intelligent design is not a scientific theory.  Its a philosophic theory.   I have no problem teaching it, it just doesnt belong in a scientific curriculumn.  Teach it in philosophy or history.