Perhaps the most remarkable thing about the debate over evolution versus intelligent design appears to be how two individuals can consider the exact same evidence – a beautiful sunset, for example, or a baby's laugh -- to arrive a diametrically opposite conclusions concerning how the world came to be the way it is today. According to one historian, Charles Darwin developed his innovative theory of evolution and natural selection in private between 1837–1839, following his return from his voyage around the world on the HMS Beagle; however, it took him fully 20 more years before he finally codified his thoughts in On the Origin of Species (1859), a work that has remained highly influential in contemporary Western society and thought (Desmond 3). Throughout On The Origin of Species, Darwin was careful to compile evidence from biology, geology, and other sciences in support of his theory of evolution as "descent with modification," according to the law of natural selection. In concluding his book, Darwin acknowledges that some of the most eminent authors of the day disagreed with him on the origin of species and remained "fully satisfied with the view that each species has been independently created" (cited in Maurer at 492).
             History has shown time and again, though, that those people that proclaim to absolutely know and understand the mind of God are on shaky ground, but this has not stopped them from trying to convince those around them of the truthfulness of their religious dogma. The proponents lined up in the intelligent design camp are just as forthright and adamant about their convictions as their counterparts in the evolution/natural selection corner, and there does not appear to be any legitimate middle ground available upon which to compromise. What has escaped many of these analysts, however, is the fact that God may in fact "work in mysterious ways," and who is to say that ...