The new strategy is to teach intelligent design without calling it intelligent design.

In the quote, "The new strategy is to teach intelligent design without calling it intelligent design," Kenneth R. Miller, a prominent biologist and critic of the intelligent design movement, is commenting on the methods used by proponents of intelligent design to introduce religious or non-scientific ideas into science education. Miller suggests that, rather than openly presenting intelligent design as an alternative to evolution, some advocates are using more subtle approaches to bypass legal and educational restrictions that prohibit the teaching of religious theories in science classrooms. The goal is to promote ideas that mimic creationism without explicitly labeling them as such.

Miller’s statement points to the growing controversy surrounding the teaching of evolution and intelligent design in schools, particularly in the United States. The teaching of intelligent design in public schools has been a contentious issue because it challenges the scientific consensus on the evolution of species. By advocating for the teaching of intelligent design under a different guise, proponents aim to circumvent legal challenges and push religious beliefs into the science curriculum in a way that appears more scientifically acceptable.

The origin of this quote comes from Miller’s long-standing opposition to the efforts of intelligent design advocates, particularly in relation to the public education system. Miller, a strong supporter of the teaching of evolution and science, has written extensively on the importance of maintaining the integrity of science education and protecting it from religious or pseudoscientific influences. His statement reflects his concern about the tactics used by intelligent design proponents to undermine the teaching of evolution.

Ultimately, Miller’s quote underscores the tension between science and religion in education. It highlights the challenge of maintaining a clear distinction between scientific theories like evolution and religious belief systems. Miller advocates for education that is grounded in scientifically supported facts, cautioning against the stealthy inclusion of religious doctrine in scientific curricula under the guise of alternative theories like intelligent design.