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The original issue is not whether ID is a view that must be discredited or thought of as hocus pocus, but rather whether or not it should be taught in a science class. Science is a specific methodology using specific parameters, the scientific theory being one of them. ID by it's very definition does not, by its definition, follow that methodology nor fall within the exact same parameters. That's the end of the discussion. Period. To teach both in the same class changes the nature of the class. You can do it, sure, but then whatever you are teaching is no longer a science class. However, that's boring and doesn't allow us to insult each other so let's dissect ad nauseum the validity of the methodology and parameters used by either system. *sigh* Many people in previous posts have defined what "theory" really means and why ID cannot comply with that definition. Those who support ID, in my opinion, don't like having ID excluded from science class because it somehow holds up science as being superior to religion. It isn't and it doesn't. Science is simply a more logical way of looking at the world. ID is a part of Faith which by definition requires a leap over what is logical to reach a conclusion. To contend ID belongs in a science class either A) changes the class so that it is no longer science; or B) requires ID to conform to the methodology and parameters of science...which it cannot. Science continually seeks to refine and improve itself, or to put it another way, disprove what has come before using a stringent series of tests. ID accepts its own existence as is without such tests which is why it cannot be science but just because ID is not science does not make it less relevant. Literature isn't science, neither is math or social studies, but that doesn't make them any less valid in the effort to create a complete and fulfilled person. In the interest of full disclosure, my view is thus - there is an ultimate creator of life, the universe, and everything (LUE)...however his plan is so intricate, so grand, so beyond our comprehension that the idea that we humans can understand the most simple of its machinations is gut-busting laughable. Science is mental masturbation and Faith is a fairy tale. Neither are anywhere near the truth, but we are lesser beings and failing a complete understanding of LUE they are the closest thing we have to the ultimate truth. To assume we can understand the master plan is madness, though for some reason - divine intervention, evolution, aliens, chocolate milk - we have been imbued with curiosity and free will so I also accept that our very nature requires us to seek out that complete understanding once excruciatingly slow step forward at a time. ID however, doesn't encourage me to grow while science does. So I choose to believe we came from a place we must have faith once existed and are going to a place we must have faith will exist using the best process of understanding that our limited forms allow us. Debate that view all you like but whatever your conclusion, you can't disprove my view because I don't claim that it is fact.

After getting my favorite Christmas gift - money - I set out to buy what I had been jonesing for since I found out about it last September: The Blade Runner Boxed Set. 5 discs, 9 hours of additional content, special carrying case - how could I pass this up? Ah but the format, decisions decisions. I planned on upgrading my DVD player but wasn't sure of which format to choose so I did my research, looked around for pricing, and finally decided on HD DVD. HD had a marginally better picture/sound and much more storage space so I bought it. And I figured players would go on sale in January as most electronics tend to do each year because of anticipated new products from CES and sure enough they did. The week after I bought my HD DVD player on sale at 40% off Warner Bros made its announcement. Talk about pissed off! Now I'm stuck with another piece of electronic junk! However, I'm not beyond solace. If newer players continue to support both formats and continue to drop in price, I may be inclined to buy a new player in a few years - or maybe I'll just download what I want. I don't know but right now I'm still upset.