It's very amusing...watching the evolutionists running about screeching like scalded cats because someone dares to introduce (gasp) different ideas...everybody knows, after all, that theoretical evolution closes the door on all there is to ever discuss about origins...the utter nerve of those 'yahoos'...
Where is Clarence Darrow to fight for the rights of those who are so gauche as to question the 'preponderance of opinion'?
Different ideas, yes. Let's put alchemy in chemistry class. The kids can figure it out for themselves. Phrenology can go somewhere. keithtoo has a nice Harun Yahyah muslim indoctrination site to sell you, while we're at it. Allahu Akhbar!
Scientific merit doesn't belong in there as a consideration at all, you're right.
Sorry to tell you, but merely introducing "different ideas" isn't enough in Science. For example, you no longer here about the theory of aether, the "planetary model" of the atom is no longer taught either. Medical students no longer study the "humors", and "bleeding" patients, except rare instances, is no longer practiced. There are a whole host of "different" ideas that are not recognized by science, thats just how it is. It takes more than being different.
We have no problem with different ideas. Indeed, the progress of science is predicated on different ideas.
We just don't like stupid different ideas. Especially those that have no physics or rational basis. Those that are contrivances. In a word, we don't do superstition.
If you want to teach ID with other superstition, then have a superstition class. You could include astrology, palmistry, wiccan, and whatever else. Right along with ID.
Our problem is that ID is superstition, not religion, and certainly not science.