Educational Media Reviews Online

This video carefully examines how politics, religion, and the vigilant marketing of an alternative theory to Evolution have caused new disputes and challenges to Darwin’s theory. The focal point concerns a manufactured debate of an issue that was thought to be resolved by science and religion long ago. Recently, political leaders have started pushing for the teaching of intelligent design in the public schools despite the 1987 Supreme Court decision that bans the teaching of the theory of creationism and frowns upon violating the separation of church and state. The opposite viewpoints of two syndicated columnists George Will and Cal Thomas are presented as well as the efforts of Discovery Institute, a think tank that markets videos and other products supporting the push of intelligent design.

While interesting and informative, this video might be used as an introduction to the issues of intelligent design vs. evolution and some of the driving forces that steer public policy. This resource would be valuable to parents, teachers and administrators who are most directly involved in the public school systems. The opportunity for curricula to be altered across the country by school board members who are adopting the theological position of intelligent design is a possibility.

This resource serves as a great initiation resource on the debate of intelligent design vs. evolution and would benefit universities, schools, and libraries. The quality of the video is excellent and I highly recommend its use in the classroom.