Charles Darwin's theory of evolution was on trial in Topeka, Kansas, and it seems the legendary British naturologist lost to an "intelligent designer" - a barely disguised euphemism for god.
The mock trial of Darwin's theory by Kansas' Board of Education, which concluded May 12, included testimonies and cross examination of and by pro-evolution and pro-creationism experts.
The board's trial voted 6 to 4 in favour of bringing the concept of "intelligent design" within the methods of teaching science in schools. Over two dozen scientists, teachers and lawyers said the state's science standards be amended to incorporate alternative thinking.
There was widespread apprehension among America's liberals and scientists that god is being brought into the country's classrooms by the supporters of the concept of an "intelligent designer" who argue that the world had to have been designed by a particularly smart designer, possibly god.
At the centre of the trials is Steve Abrams, a veterinarian and Republican, who among other things believes that earth is only 5,000 years old, a view propagated by Christian conservatives, as opposed to 4.5 billion years as argued by scientists.
Abrams as the board chairman has challenged the validity of evolution as the only valid explanation of life. He has said evolutionary biology is inadequate in terms of evidence and there ought to be an intelligent designer at the helm.
The pro-creationists, who are generally perceived by scientists and liberals as Christian religious zealots pushing a biblical agenda, have lately chosen to use seemingly more neutral language while arguing their case. Rather than saying that life was created by god, they use the term an intelligent designer to give their case a more rational touch.
Among those who testified was Mustafa Akyol, a Turkish newspaper columnist and Muslim. He reportedly said that the theory of evolution, which incidentally goes against Islam as well, generates "anti-Westernism" elsewhere in the world. The purpose behind introducing people like Akyol was to give the trial an appearance of being non-partisan and religiously diverse.
The evolution versus creationism debate has been raging in Kansas since 1999 when the state dropped evolution from it requirements of science education and invited widespread ridicule.
--Indo-Asian News Service
US daily calls for sustaining pressure on Musharraf
Publish Date : 3/2/2007 7:07:00 AM
With the Bush administration reportedly sending a tough message to Pakistan that US aid would be cut if it did not rein in Al Qaeda militants, a leading American daily has called for sustaining the pressure on President Pervez Musharraf .....
'Most US intelligence on Iran inaccurate'
Publish Date : 2/26/2007 9:01:00 AM
Most US intelligence on Iran shared with the United Nations nuclear watchdog agency has proved inaccurate and none has led to significant discoveries inside the country, diplomats at the IAEA have said.
UN praises India's all-female police unit deployed in Liberia
Publish Date : 2/26/2007 8:58:00 AM
The all-female police unit from India serving in Liberia has come in for high praise for its work in the peacekeeping mission from the United Nations envoy in the country.
Pentagon continuing with its "intensive planning" on Iran:rept
Publish Date : 2/26/2007 8:37:00 AM
The Pentagon is continuing its "intensive planning" for a possible bombing attack on Iran, a process that began last year at the instance of President George W Bush as Washington is focussing on Shiite Tehran in a shift .....
Nuclear terrorism a matter of time: James Goodby
Publish Date : 2/5/2007 8:40:00 AM
Accusing the Bush administration of not giving nuclear terrorism the highest priority in national goals, a former US diplomat has warned that it was only a matter of time before a terrorist organization detonated an atom bomb in an American city.
Penelope Cruz to star in new Woody Allen film
Publish Date : 2/3/2007 10:28:00 AM
Oscar-nominated Spanish actress Penelope Cruz is to star in the new Woody Allen film, to be shot this summer in Barcelona, newspaper El Pais reported on Friday.
Bush administration seeks $245B for wars
Publish Date : 2/3/2007 10:19:00 AM
The Bush administration will ask for another $100 billion for military and diplomatic operations in Iraq and Afghanistan this year and seek $145 billion for 2008, a senior administration official said Friday.
Thousands rally against Bush's Iraq war
Publish Date : 1/29/2007 8:41:00 AM
Thousands of protestors, including Hollywood stars and civil rights leaders, came out on to the streets here opposing the war in Iraq ahead of a crucial debate and vote in the US Senate on the issue.
Arms Pact violation by Israel to figure in Congress
Publish Date : 1/29/2007 8:35:00 AM
Israel's alleged violation of an arms pact with America by unleashing US-made cluster bombs into civilian-inhabited areas of south Lebanon will come up for a debate in the Congress tomorrow, with even the prospect of sanctions against Jerusalem.
No Pakistan, it's Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan in Bush's speech
Publish Date : 1/25/2007 8:19:00 AM
The State of the Union address by US President George W Bush was dominated by war on Iraq and US' present policy to justify it, in spite of the growing realisation that US marines positioned there have been entangled in a dangerous quagmire.
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