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Alan Padgett, who has published books and articles on the philosophy of science and religion, says the ID movement may be turning political prematurely.

"If [ID advocates] don't take the high road of principle here and prove the science first. … there's going to be a backlash in the rest of American culture that's not Christian," says Padgett, a professor of theology at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota. "The church will look like it's selling its brains in order to be Christian."

Dembski, however, argues that science often follows the political process. He says several mainstream scientific organizations receive public funding, which in turn strengthens their ability to do research and spread their findings.

"I don't think you should really separate the political from the scientific," Dembski says. "This could provide an opening that would get people interested in the topic. If there were funding down the line through political means, it would mean that students would start researching and getting into it, and there would be more Intelligent Design research."

Johnson predicts the school board's December vote will be "favorable but very close."

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Christianity Today previously covered the debate in February's "Ohio Has Designs on Science Standards."

News and opinion articles on the science standards in Ohio include:

Scientists shun Ohio education proposal—The Plain Dealer (August 21, 2002)

No 'intelligent design' in group's science standards—Dayton Daily News (June 27, 2002)

Science panel skips debate on evolution—The Beacon Journal (April 2, 2002)

Design vs. Darwin—ABC (April 1, 2002)

'Intelligent Design' means big step back for science—Steve Rissing, The Columbus Dispatch (February 17, 2002)

State board should reject pseudoscience—Editorial, The Columbus Dispatch (February 16, 2002)

In Ohio School Hearing, a New Theory Will Seek a Place Alongside Evolution—The New York Times (February 12, 2002)

Unintelligible Redesign—William Saletan, Slate (February 13, 2002)

The website for the Ohio Board of Education has more information on the proposal for new science academic standards.

An Intelligent Design in-depth report on The Plain Dealer site includes archived articles and commentaries.

Twin bills in the Ohio House of Representatives and Senate (House Bill 484 and Senate Bill 222) would require the board of education's science standard to pass the General Assembly. House Bill 481 would encourage schools to teach alternative origin theories.

Slate posted an overview and critique of the ID movement in 2001 by Northern Illinois University professor Larry Arnhart titled "Assault on Evolution."

Christianity Today's Books & Culture Corner responded to the article.

Larry Arnhart took part in an exchange with Intelligent Design supporters Michael Behe and William Dembski for the November 2000 issue of First Things.

In a February Breakpoint commentary, Charles Colson discussed two books that could help in the Ohio science standards question.

Coverage of the ID movement in Books & Culture, a Christianity Today sister publication, includes:

Creation by DesignIs the intelligent-design movement asking natural scientists to work outside their proper focus? by Alan G. Padgett (Jul/Aug 2000)

Tower of BabelThe Evidence Against the New Creationism (Sep/Oct 1999)

The UnthinkableA review of Paul Davies's The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life by William A. Dembski (Sep/Oct 1999)

The Design DebateDoes "chance" rule out God? Does near-impossibility require him? by Michael J. Behe and Rebecca J. Flietstra (Sep/Oct 1998)

Christianity Today's coverage of the movement includes:

Searching for a BlueprintDiscovery Institute reshapes the origins debate. (November 15, 1999)

Meeting Darwin's WagerHow biochemist Michael Behe uses a mousetrap to challenge evolutionary theory. (April 28, 1997)

Debunking Darwin?'Intelligent-design' movement gathers strength. (Janurary 6, 1997)

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September 9 2002, Vol. 46, No. 10