Intelligent Design gets ‘Expelled’

Is there academic freedom for everyone?

I sometimes wonder how those with a belief in God work in the science arena. From what I can tell, evolutionary theory is what science says is the best possible answer for the development of mankind, but there are several religions that have a belief in some sort of intelligent designer God.

The point of science is to ask questions, make hypotheses, gather evidence and test theories. If science is open to asking any question, then questions related to an intelligent design theory should be open to the field. However, when I started investigating, it seemed science wasn’t open to asking those particular questions.

There is a fine line to walk and my argument calls for some clarification. First, by “intelligent design theory” I do not mean creationism. Intelligent design is a broader term simply meaning that the universe was designed by some intelligent entity. Creationism points to a biblical account of creation.

Secondly, I’m not trying to bring religion into the science. I think scientists can ask questions about nature, the origins of species and the universe without making it a religious study.

One aspect of being human is an inability to be completely objective. We all try and fail – scientists are no different. Yet science seems to have fallen completely on the side of one theory, leaving no room for anyone else. While evolution may be the best theory we have at the moment that leaves no reason for people to stop exploring possibilities.

The recent film “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” explores the academic freedom of scientists who would like to investigate intelligent design. The film leaves science looking completely closed off and down right antagonistic toward intelligent design theorists. Scientists who ask the wrong questions – questions in speculation of intelligent design theory – get fired and/or called stupid.

I thought the film was well made; it was interesting and informative, though I was still skeptical. Is the science realm really closed to discussing intelligent design theory and allowing scientists to explore the possibilities?

I came to campus to observe the scientific atmosphere toward intelligent design theory. It was interesting to say the least. I spoke with different people on campus, both professors and students. What I discovered was similar to the film: there’s not really room in science for intelligent design theory. It’s not needed. What was presented to me in different formats and through several discussions was an understanding that the evidence of evolution is pretty clear and we don’t really need to step outside our box. Investigating in the intelligent design realm is not really good science; it’s a religious question.

The idea that we cannot mix our personal religious beliefs with our science was pointed out to me in most of the conversations I had. People seem to have forgotten that we are always approaching things with a system of beliefs. Whether we’re religious or not, we’re always coming to science with our worldview, no matter how much we try to quell it.

Our human inability to be completely objective plays out in the way we balance things in our lives. When I have a problem I like to talk to different people to hear different sides of things. Our political platforms fall on two sides.

They interact to keep a balance in our nation – we need both or we will spin in one direction.

Science should want multiple viewpoints looking at such an age-old question as the origin of mankind. I don’t want to change everything or throw out evolutionary theory; I just think it’s time to try looking at science from a few different perspectives.

ABBIE KIRCHER
Opinion Writer

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