[sz_matyas]

The problem with the theory of evolution is that the version taught in most high schools has been shown false (mainly because a number of the key observations were based on falsified data, such as the classic white versus speckled butterfly population shifts in England during the rise of the industrial revolution). Unfortunately, much of the major publications on this have been within the past 10 or so years, or more recently than most high school science textbooks.

To combat this, there have been a number of permutations of the theory of evolution, neo-darwinianism, punctuated equilibrium, etc. None of these have been falsified, yet they are mutually contradictory. As these don't have the classic experiments to back them up, ID is saying that they have just as much proof for their side and can show the mathematically impossibility of almost all of these new permutations (this is not creationism, it's based on the concept of irreducible complexity and allows for the source to be anything including creation, aliens, guided luck, but says that there comes a point when random mutations would fail).

One key fact you seem to be missing is that ID wasn't started by christians nor was that it's original goal. Christians have joined the movement relatively lately because of it's success in challenging evolution as mathematically impossible. Also the original source of life in ID isn't clear other than it has to be an intelligence. Obviously people who believe in god are going to stick their beliefs in, while in evolution they really can't. This brings in the fringes to what is a fairly sound idea and lets the press and ill informed jump out and have a field day against solid science.

Perhaps ID shouldn't be promoted in schools because of the fact that the fringes are trying to control the debate, but it should at least be put before the choices of individual school boards to look at. Remember people didn't squash all research in quantum theory simply because of the Hindu movement to claim it as their own and that it validated their religion. I feel that ID should be given the same fair shake.