Defenders of Intelligent Design insist that it is a program of scientific inquiry, not religious faith. Evidence makes it clear, however, that in addition to being bad science and bad theology, Intelligent Design is a political program designed to overturn naturalistic science. It is further supported by important leaders in the Christian Reconstructionist movement.

The July/August 2000 issue of Church & State explains:

Anti-evolution crusader Phillip Johnson dedicated his 1997 book, Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds, to “Roberta and Howard, who understood ‘the wedge’ because they love the Truth.”

The mysterious reference is apparently a note of thanks to Howard F. Ahmanson Jr. and his wife Roberta, a wealthy and secretive Orange County, Calif., couple who have generously funded the anti-evolution movement and other rightwing causes that advance their fundamentalist Christian outlook.

The Ahmensons don’t simply support fundamentalist Christian causes, they support Christian Reconstructionism:

The savings and loan heir has maintained a long-time relationship with Christian Reconstructionism, an extreme faction of the Religious Right that seeks to replace American democracy with a harsh fundamentalist theocracy. [...]

Ahmanson served for over two decades on the board of directors of the Chalcedon Foundation, Rousas J. Rushdoony’s Reconstructionist think tank that serves as the intellectual center of the movement. Ahmanson has also generously supported the Foundation’s work.

As for Ahmanson’s interests in opposing evolution, his relationship with leaders such as Johnson raises a series of questions about how the movement to “defeat” evolution is paid for and what the larger agenda might be.

Apparently, even the Republican Party has returned some of Ahmanson’s donations because of how noxious some of his views are, but it doesn’t look like these views are noxious enough for either Phillip Johnson or the Discovery Institute. I have wonder if anyone’s views are noxious enough for them?

Howard and Robert Ahmanson are major funders of Christian Reconstructionism in America. It’s arguable that without them, Christian Reconstuctionism wouldn’t more than a shadow of what it currently is. Thus, they are not just financially responsible for the growth and influence of Christian fascism, but morally responsible as well.

Is their funding of Intelligent Design a completely separate issue from their funding of Christian fascism? No, because Intelligent Design was created specifically for the purpose of replacing genuine science with conservative Christian religious beliefs — and having them promoted by the state.

 

Read More:

• Evolution vs. Creationism
• Science vs. Religion
• What is Intelligent Design?
• What is Science?