Intelligent Design versus Evolution: Why the Concepts Need Not Be Opposed

Religious arguments abound nowadays. Whatever the reason, "believers" and "nonbelievers" have tried to press their arguments recently, each side apparently looking for understanding, if not outright conversion. Prominent books by atheists, such as Dawkins' The God Delusion and Harris' Letter to a Christian Nation, have become rather pointed in their attacks on theism in general, and Christianity in particular. This has occurred at about the same time that the so-called "Christian Right" has exerted itself as a powerful political force in this country. A major point of contention has arisen with insistence in some states on discussing Intelligent Design Theory in science classes as an alternate theory to evolution. While those arguing for this "alternative" mean well, they mistake the concept of evolution for something directly opposed to their view of the world. In fact, evolution, by itself, has nothing to say about the topic that concerns proponents of Intelligent Design the most: how it all began.

In the Beginning