Intelligent Design – temporary fashion or persisting US self-portrait? ID: “life is so complex that it cannot have developed by accident but must have been the work of an unspecified creative intelligence“ proponents: - not religious because designer isn‘t defined - idea reaches back to Socrates and Plato opponents: - repacked version of creationism - no scientific evidence for the theory - only probable identity for the designer: God

Influence of Religion in US society very important in US‘ history: - foundation - Social reforms (Great Awakenings) - Manifest Destiny national consciousness: - “God‘s own Country“ - patriotism, ideologies and religion keep the USA together - 59% of Americans consider religion an important factor in their life

Influence of Religion on US politics Right-wing fundamentalists: –rose as a countermovement to the liberalization of US society in the 1960s and 1970s –today almost 25% of all voters –more than 80% voted Republican in 2000 and 2004 “Religion Gap“ in the elections: almost 30% in contrast: “Gender Gap“: around 7%

History of ID and creationism in the US 1925: “Monkey Trial“ 1968: Epperson v. Arkansas: “forbid teaching evolution = unconstitutional“ 1987: Edwards v. Aguillard: “no creationism in science classes“ 1992: cause of ID begins to be pushed 2002: Georgia + Ohio endorse a critical a approach to evolution in science classes 2005: Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District

Religious or Scientific? fact: No scientific evidence to support ID the designer: God, time-traveling cell biologist, or alien from outer space? leading proponents of ID: “That God created us is part of God‘s general revelation to humanity. [...] The proper metaphysical basis for science is not naturalism or materialism, but the fact that the creator of the cosmos not only created an intelligible universe but also created the powers of reasoning [...]“

Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District Sept.-Nov ID is religious and should not be taught in public schools  “will stop interest in ID“  “will create new interest in ID because Americans don‘t like to be told what to think about“

Public Opinion towards ID in the US only 26%: “just evolution“ 69%: “opposing theories as well“ 64%: “man was directly created by God“ 10% agree to the idea of ID

Why the US? ID = comfortable middle passage between science and religion desire of tolerance and fairness no proof that ID is wrong  unfair to forbid it strong lobby and influence of right-wing fundamentalists