Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has sided with President Bush and believes that the 'theory' of intelligent design should be taught in America's public schools along side the theory of evolution.
While addressing a Rotary Club meeting in Nashville, the Tennessee Republican said, 'I think today a pluralistic society should have access to a broad range of fact, of science, including faith.'
The theory of intelligent design states that the universe is so complex it could not have been created by chance and therefore there must be a 'creator.' Critics say it is a thinly veiled attempt to introduce the biblical theory of creation into public schools.
Frist, who graduated from Harvard Medical School, defended his position, saying, that teaching intelligent design 'doesn't force any particular theory on anyone. I think in a pluralistic society that is the fairest way to go about education and training people for the future.'
Frist is considered a possible candidate for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination.
Earlier this month, Frist drew criticism from religious conservatives for advocating additional stem cell research in opposition to President Bush. Frist said he supported the embryonic stem cell research because it was a 'matter of science.'
With regard to the 'theory' of intelligent design, Frist sees no conflict. 'To me, I see no disconnect between that and stem cell research,' Frist said. 'I base my beliefs on stem cell research both on science and my faith.'
