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Survey of Scientists Supports Evolution, Rejects "Intelligent Design"

  • October 11th, 2002
A survey of Ohio university scientists shows that they overwhelmingly view "intelligent design" as a religious, not a scientific, concept. The survey was conducted by faculty at Case Western Reserve University and the University of Cincinnati, and results were announced at a press conference on October 10. Professor Joseph Koonce, Chair of the Department of Biology at Case Western, issued the following statement:

Creationism Not to Appear in Cobb County Public Schools

  • September 27th, 2002
Contrary to some recent press reports, the "Theories of Origin" policy adopted by the Cobb County, Georgia, Board of Education on September 26, 2002, specifically disallows the teaching of creationism. As enacted, the policy explicitly states that, “It is the intent of the Cobb County Board of Education that this policy not be interpreted to restrict the teaching of evolution; to promote or require the teaching of creationism; or to discriminate for or against a particular set of religious beliefs, religion in general, or non-religion.”

"IDnet" Expands to Third State

  • August 28th, 2002
An organization which has actively promoted intelligent design creationism and opposed evolution education in Kansas and Ohio in recent years has now opened a branch in New Mexico. Intelligent Design network, inc. ("IDnet") of Shawnee Mission, Kansas announced the creation of Intelligent Design Network of New Mexico in a July 23 press release. The announcement implies that IDnet is also looking to expand to other states as well. IDnet is led by retired lawyer John Calvert; IDnet of New Mexico will be led by Joe Renick, a mechanical engineer.

School Board to Revise Policy on "Theories of Origin"

  • August 24th, 2002
The Board of the Cobb County School District, near Atlanta, decided on August 22 to consider changes in a policy related to science and evolution education. Early this year the same district adopted an evolution textbook disclaimer. Now the seven member board has voted unanimously to study a proposed new policy for 30 days. A final vote will probably be taken at their September 26 meeting.

The district’s current policy entitled "Theories of Origin" dates from 1995. It reads as follows:

Two Incumbents lose in KS BOE Primaries

  • August 13th, 2002
Two moderates on the Kansas Board of Education lost their primary bids on August 6, raising the chances the board could return to a 5-5 moderate-conservative split. The defeats of Republicans Sonny Rundell, from Syracuse, and Val DeFever, of Independence, means moderates could lose the majority they won in elections following the 1999 debacle when a conservative majority adopted science standards removing many references to evolution, the age of the earth, and the big bang.

US News and World Report on Evolution

  • July 21st, 2002
US News and World Report's cover story for July 29, 2002, is "The New Reality of Evolution." The article entitled "Life's Grand Design: A new breed of anti-evolutionists credits it to an unnamed intelligence" casts an appropriately skeptical eye over the intelligent design movement. NCSE members and supporters Robert Pennock, Kenneth Miller, and Jack Krebs are quoted.

Presbyterian Church (USA) Adopts Resolution on Evolution and Education

  • July 1st, 2002
On June 20 the 214th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA), meeting in Columbus, Ohio, passed the following resolution:

"The 214th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA)

"1. Reaffirms that God is Creator, in accordance with the witness of Scripture and the Reformed Confessions.

"2. Reaffirms that there is no contradiction between an evolutionary theory of human origins and the doctrine of God as Creator.

Ohio University Presidents Oppose Intelligent Design

  • June 27th, 2002
In a letter to the Ohio Board of Education, 15 of Ohio's university presidents urged the board to preserve the integrity of the newly drafted science standards and oppose the inclusion of intelligent design. The letter is available in html and PDF formats. [Links have expired}

School District Rejects Books Which Discuss Evolution

  • June 26th, 2002
On June 17 the Board of the Annville-Cleona School District voted to reject proposed 7th and 8th grade reading course textbooks. According to news reports in the Lebanon Daily News and Harrisburg Patriot-News board members objected to some of the topics presented, including evolution and "radical environmentalism". One board member was quoted as opposing one book "because it does include evolution stated as fact...

Board of Education Requires Evolution for Accreditation

  • June 12th, 2002
On June 7, 2002 the Nebraska Board of Education voted 5-2 to add the state's existing science standards, including coverage of evolution, to the official requirements for school accreditation. According to a report in the Omaha World-Herald, supporters of "intelligent design" had asked the Board to delay this step, hoping that the standards could be changed. The Board refused to do so.

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