Tammy Kitzmiller, et al. v. Dover Area School District, et al., Case No. 04cv2688, was the first direct challenge brought in the United States federal courts against a public school district that required the presentation of "Intelligent Design" as an alternative to evolution as an "explanation of the origin of life." The plaintiffs successfully argued that intelligent design is a form of creationism, and that the school board policy thus violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The judge's decision has sparked considerable response from both supporters and critics.
2007-10-29 05:18:49 · 13 answers · asked by I'm an Atheist 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
By the way, the judge was a conservative, appointed by George Bush.
2007-10-29 05:25:28 · update #1
stiggo629, being a lawyer, should understand the meaning of "precedent"
Here's the definition...
In common law legal systems, a precedent or authority is a legal case establishing a principle or rule that a court or other judicial body adopts when deciding subsequent cases with similar issues or facts.
2007-10-29 05:35:50 · update #2
It's worth mentioning that the judge was a republican and appointed by the Bush administration. So any accusations that he was a liberal are unfounded.
2007-10-29 05:22:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Nope, not until just now. I would like to correct the ID pushed by some answers that ID is a religious concept. That is wrong.
ID is a scientific concept that because the 20 main parameters that control the way the Universe functions/was formed have to be within their established value to at least 0. twenty zeros accuracy for it to have happened at all.
Thus some scientists suggested that this was an extra ordinary coincidence that could only be accounted for by ID.
Naturally enough, some Religions leaped on this and pretended it proved the existence of God. It does not do so, but none the less it seems to be a valid pointer.
2007-10-29 12:45:12 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
WOW!
Both Jolly roger and Jay have excellent thoughts on the matter.
But, I had the belief that Education & Religion were seperate subjects.
If one wants to study world religions, then that is a class they might elect to take.
However, science neither proves, nor disproves the existence of any god, goddess, deity, devil, etc.. If one is taught, then it is only fair that ALL are taught at the same time.
2007-10-29 12:31:01 · answer #3 · answered by None 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
To answer the question you asked, yes I have heard about it. That is all you asked.
Comments on the case:
"Intelligent Design" is a viable solution to the question of "How did life originate and grow/change on Earth?". The "Establishment Clause" says that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."
These two are not mutually exclusive. Teaching possibilities of what happened does not mean that the student is now Christian. In fact, Christianity, Judiasm, and Islam all agree that Genesis is the way things happened. Exactly which religion are we establishing when we teach Intelligent Design?
No, this is struck down by people who fear the possibility that God exists.
2007-10-29 12:27:03 · answer #4 · answered by Jay 6 · 1⤊ 4⤋
Yes, I've heard of it and am as encouraged by it as by ID school boards being thrown out in successive elections and all other evidence that there are people who understand the difference between science and a religious pretext.
2007-10-29 12:23:36 · answer #5 · answered by mommanuke 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Is this still all the buzz here? It's been three years now. This is the first mention I've seen of it.
Yes, I heard of it, back when it happened.
I understand precedent, but there haven't been any other cases along the same lines since this came down, and, as I said, I haven't seen this case as a topic of discussion here.
2007-10-29 12:22:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
It's too bad that they had to resort to bringing in religion, as science eduction should be based on facts and the scientific principle. ID is a hypothesis that has no supporting evidence and should be highlighted in science classes as an example of "How not to conduct science".
2007-10-29 12:26:37 · answer #7 · answered by Pirate AM™ 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I don't think it should be taught in schools. "Intelligent Design" is still a religious concept, and as long as no one is teaching Atheism along with Evolution, no one should have a problem with science classes as they are. However, more classes based on various religions and religious texts should be offered as electives.
2007-10-29 12:24:27 · answer #8 · answered by Lucky S 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, I have heard of it since I, in fact, live in Pennsylvania. Old news indeed.
2007-10-29 12:24:56 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I had not heard this but I agree with it. Facts should be presented in school. Nothing more.
2007-10-29 12:22:52 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋