Non-secular science

I am getting sick and tired of explaining this to people. Intelligent design is NOT science. For those of you just learning about it, intelligent design (ID for short) is basically an attempt to make creationism secular (remember that, it will be important later). Intelligent design proponents are pushing for ID to be taught in science classes. They argue that evolution is “just a theory” and that the alternative theories should be taught. The way we use the word theory colloquially is different from what it means in science, and if you don’t know the difference between them then go look it up. If you do and you continue to say that evolution is “just” a theory then stop being a disingenuous prick.    
    Does anyone spot the problem with intelligent design being taught in science classes? Intelligent design is NOT a scientific theory. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying or didn’t pay attention in science class. I am going to lean toward the former because every science class I have ever taken explained in the first unit how science is done and what constitutes a theory. You can’t just think of something and start calling it a theory, and start complaining because it isn’t taught in science classes in contrast with a theory that is widely accepted and actually has *gasp* evidence!
    Generally the scientific process starts with a question or an observation, lets say you notice that trees closer to a stream are taller then those that are farther away. Next you develop a hypothesis. A hypothesis is often explained to as an “educated guess”, but really its just a potential answer to your question. A hypothesis MUST be testable. Then you test your hypothesis and gather data. If the data supports your hypothesis then you draw a conclusion and submit your findings for peer review. If you disprove your hypothesis then you alter it or come up with a new one and continue to experiment or observe until you find an answer to your question. And then you submit your findings for peer review. So what’s so difficult about that Mr. Intelligent design? Middle school students execute this process almost everyday. If you want intelligent design in science classes, you go use the scientific method like everyone else.
    And another thing. I don’t know how some of you got the idea in your head that disproving evolution automatically makes ID the winner by default, because it doesn’t. Ask a legitimate scientist and they will tell you that there is not really competition between evolution and ID. ID isn’t even a contender for reasons I already explained. They don’t even deal with the same things. Evolution by way of Darwinian natural selection deals with the diversity of life. ID is about the origins of life and the universe.
    Every time I explain all of this to someone trying to push intelligent design they pull the religious discrimination card. But wait a minute, I say, I thought intelligent design didn’t have anything to do with religion? Usually they then go on about how evil science is for keeping them out of the conversation because they are religious and so forth. Of course thats a load of crap, there are plenty of scientists who are theists. I have a question about religious censorship while we are at it. If your so sure that your believe is the one true religion, then why are you so offended when someone disagrees with you? I know not all religious people are like that, but some peoples reactions are way over the top.
    Back on topic. When people complain that this group or that group are trying to keep intelligent design out of schools, it makes no sense. Intelligent design has no place in a science curriculum, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be taught in another class, now does it? There are lots of classes in which students could be exposed to ID. Here is an idea, have an intelligent design proponent do a speaking tour at schools with a scientist. Have the ID person explain ID to the students. Then let the scientists explain the widely accepted scientific theories on the origins of life and the universe, and we can let the students choose for themselves.