In today’s PR intensive world it’s very easy for unconventional ideas to get a bad rap. It’s very easy for those controlling debates to reduce the opposition’s chances of even getting their point across by simply twisting the facts a little.

I found a glaring apparent example of this when I began delving into the topic of Intelligent Design. I was first exposed to the concept when my good friend Shawn brought over Ben Stein’s documentary called, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. After watching the documentary I did a little further research into the subject.

Now, I’m in no way a scientist, so we won’t be arguing here the case for, or against Intelligent Design. Though, for me personally, with my general layman understanding of cells and evolution and shit like that, it makes a lot of sense. This blog post is more to give you the understanding of what it is, where you can go to find out more information about it, and what it is most certainly not.

Intelligent Design is, to quote directly from the IDEA center, “The theory of intelligent design holds that certain features of the universe and living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, and are not the result of an undirected, chance-based process such as Darwinian evolution.”

Basically the argument is that cells, their processes, and formations are too complex to have all happened by “chance”. It argues that there had to have been an intelligent something telling all these process what to do, how to form. It also pokes a lot of holes in the theory of Natural Selection, and mutation.

The “what” behind this ID process is not answered by the proponents of theory, they are more than willing to leave that up to the philosophers and theologians.

Intelligent Design is not Creationism. Let me re-write that. Intelligent Design is not Creationism. Creationism as I am to understand it claims that God, specifically the Judeo-Christian God from the Bible is responsible for it, and that the Book of Genesis is the all out, know it all for how the world and we popped into existence. There is a huge difference between the two. ID is a scientifically viable theory, Creationism, I must say, not so much.

The implications of intelligent design are huge. So huge, that I completely understand why mainstream scientists are so reluctant to even allow the topic to be brought up. If ID was given its day, and proven to be remotely possibly, right wing Christians would have a field day. You can just imagine the firestorm that could come about. However, just because its implications might open up the door to a huge, huge debate on the existence of God, that does not warrant it being dismissed.

I’d love to be able to join in the debate on this topic, however, while I have a general grasping of Darwinian theory and IDs, when it comes to the detailed rebuttals that each side puts against each other my brain proceeds to laugh at me. I can say that I never completely bought Darwinian Theory, but I certainly never bought my catholic upbringing either. When it comes to Evolution, I would completely agree that things absolutely change over time. But, the very fact that creatures from all walks of life are so adaptable and capable of that change suggests some intelligence behind our biological make up. But again, not a scientist, I can only speak on what feels right to me and my gut instinct has no place in an intellectual, scientific debate. But there are plenty out there to engage in this debate with, and if you’re one of those left brained thinkers, lots of good reading material to expose you to this theory.

My friend who is definitely more scientifically minded, cautioned me to make sure as I engaged in this discussion that I provided both sides of the argument. I completely agree with her, to quote from the movie Expelled one should always “beware the sound of one hand clapping”. So as I rolled back to Google to grab some links I realized if you’re looking for information to debunk the theory, it’s readily available. Looking for arguments in favor of ID is a little more difficult, so I’ll post them here.

Intelligent Design vs. Evolution – A philosophy student at the University of Michigan started the topic, and then a debate followed. To be far, the philosophy student was not properly armed to really engage the debater in favor of ID. I include this link not to discredit Evolution, but to provide some information for what the ID argument is.

Stephen C. Meyer – is one of the leading proponents for ID. His website is full of information that I can barely understand. Sounds good though

Intelligent Design and Evolution Awareness Center – Great sources of information. Some that even the layman can grasp.

All about Intelligent Design

And lastly a good blog site that provides a lot of information about ID called Uncommon Descent. Some other stuff thrown in there too, but primarily ID.

That’s a good enough to get one started. I’d really like this debate to surface mainstream. Rest assured you can expect to see some mention of this theory in Synarchy Book Two (By the way, have you picked up Book One, yet?) It really makes me giggle to watch science and mysticism slowly closing the gap between themselves, even if it does make other people edgy. There’s a good reason for it, but the past is the past and its time we moved into the future. There are plenty of us to argue about what that “Source” is. That’s a debate I can’t wait to jump in on.

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