SENTINEL WATCH January 9, 2006 Issue

ONLY ONE INTELLIGENCE

ELISE L. MOORE

THE PIRATE AND BUCCANEER William Dampier was the first Briton to make scientific observations on the Galapagos Islands. Dampier introduced the concept of species and subspecies in the first volume of his book The Voyage to New Holland published in 1703. Charles Darwin studied the writings of Dampier and quoted him while formulating the theories of natural selection published in The Origin of Species in 1859.

Today, William Dembski, a conservative Christian theologian, mathematician, and creationist is advancing the theory known as intelligent design, instead of natural selection. Intelligent design theorizes that the extraordinary variety and complexity of creation indicates an intelligent creator rather than random selection is responsible for life and the universe.

In promoting his premise, Dembski ignores co-religionists' insistence that humankind began with Adam 6,000 years ago and that creation took place in seven calendar days. Such "creationism" arguments have alienated much of the scientific community. The intelligent design premise shifts the focus to consider the order and intelligent intent underlying creation, instead of random choas.