[tacticalogic]

The ID people look at mathematical probabilities of designs of similar complexity arriving by chance.

If it was just a matter of a disagreement over whether it was verifiably random or possibly directed, it might be easier. A quick read of the threads should tell you that's not nearly all there is to it.

[keats5]

I think several of the people on this thread are taking the opportunity to share their faith, which is indeed their prerogative. In this case, they are disclosing the world view, from which they approach this issue, so it is relevant. This goes back to my point of asking whether both sides would be better off discussing origins in a philosophy class.

However, as I understand it, ID does not specify a deity. Panspermia, or the belief that life came from outer space, is one of several ID theories. Other ID theorists don't go so far as to postulate the source of the intelligent design. Obviously, ID opens the door to those who believe in a creator God, but does not dictate that the intelligent designer must be God.