Next Battle Over Evolution To Take Place in PA Courthouse

A group of 11 parents of students in a Pennsylvania school district have filed a lawsuit that is expected to be the biggest fight over the teaching of evolution in the courts since the late 1980s.

The parents want the Dover Area School District in south-central Pennsylvania to stop teaching the theory of intelligent design in public schools. The plaintiffs, backed by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), say that intelligent design is not a scientific theory and is merely an attempt to get religious views taught in public schools. They say it violates the constitution's separation of church and state.

The theory of intelligent design was created by Christian conservatives after attempts to have the biblical creation story taught in public schools was defeated in court. It claims that the universe is so complex it must have been created by a superior being or a 'creator.' Because the theory does not mention "God" by name, supporters say it gets around the ban on teaching religion in public schools.

The Dover school board claims it just wants students to be aware of the existence of intelligent design as an 'alternative to evolution.' It also denies that intelligent design in 'religion in disguise.'

The school board is being supported by The Thomas More Law Center which uses litigation to promote what it calls 'the religious freedom of Christians and time-honored family values.'

Most of the scientific community opposes the teaching of scientific design as an unscientific process.

'Intelligent design is ultimately a science stopper,' explained Doctor Eugenie Scott of the National Council for Science Education, a pro-evolution group backing the Dover parents.

'It's a political and religious movement that's trying to insinuate itself into the public schools,' she added.

The trial is slated to begin Monday in a Harrisburg, Pennsylvania courtroom and experts say it will last about five weeks.