Why is Intelligent Design so Appealing?

Tuesday August 30, 2005

One thing that has confounded scientists around the world is how the pseudoscience of creationism generally and Intelligent Design specifically could be so popular in America. No other aspect of science is so assiduously denied - so why this one? Unfortunately, Americans aren't responding to the "ID isn't science" argument of real scientists.

Beverly Kelley writes:

First, never mind religion -- the average American isn’t about to abandon superstition, pseudo-science or any other unproven phenomenon. Take a gander at cable television. The most frequently viewed shows, even on the science-oriented channels, focus on ghosts, ESP, alien abduction, near-death experiences and even good old Nostradamus.

Second, intelligent-design advocates are being assisted by a national sense of fair play. Demanding an equal hearing is at least as inherently American as motherhood, baseball and apple pie. In addition, intelligent-design advocates are aided and abetted by the media, which, obsessed with a warped 21st century “marketplace of ideas” mind-set, insist on presenting opposing points of view, valid or otherwise....

Third, intelligent-design foes have been unable to counter the “what would it hurt?” frame of mind that lingers around the edges of the dispute. Moreover, if evolution backers are actually engaging in anti-religious discrimination, as alleged, God help them. [Ventura County Star]

There is no easy solution to this. The defenders of pseudoscience are not going to go away and they aren't going to give up their fight. Even if there were a major court case dealing with Intelligent Design in which it was soundly struck down, just as Scientific Creationism was a generation ago, the same issue would come back again in another form.

ID advocates are not motivated by good science, such that facts would compel them to change their minds. They are not motivated by legal principles, such that losing a court case would compel them to re-examine their arguments. They are motivated by fanatical religion, which is immune to facts or arguments. They are motivated by the zeal of the True Believer, convinced not only of being right but also of being Righteous, not only of promoting truth but God's Truth.

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