Why does it always need to be said, every time this topic comes up, that Intelligent Design is NOT even a theory? A theory holds a special place in science. It has verifiable data. It's not teenage bong-rip philosophy hour. Gravity is a Theory. Relativity is a Theory. The very idea that the Earth orbits the sun is a Theory. Calling intelligent design a theory lends it way too much credence as an actual scientific model for the development of life.

And again, I'm not sure why it always needs to be said, but where does anyone even get the idea that intelligent design actually contradicts evolution? Frankly, I'm not terribly impressed with a God that just blinks his eyes and makes something happen. However, an intelligence that was able to design such complex systems as, say, all biological life on planet Earth, evolution inclusive... I would be pretty impressed by.

The Universe is full of Miracles and Wonders. What higher purpose do you really need besides exploring the infinite? Being a good person, and worshipping some abstract authority figure seems pretty trivial by comparison, doesn't it?