"We talking about the origins of life," she said. "Some say that we started with monkeys, others say we climbed out of the slime — if you look at everything that has been said, all you can do is point out that there are competing theories."

House sponsor Rep. Jim Ferrin, R-Orem, said about Urquhart's statement that it's "only one vote." Although he would not prognosticate about the bill's eventual fate, he said he thinks House members "are intelligent enough" to understand the intent of the bill.

"This is not about Sen. Buttars' religious beliefs. . . . This is not about intelligent design," he said. "I think it's about not overstepping what we know."

As of yet, many Republicans are withholding judgment about the bill. During a leadership news conference Tuesday, only Urquhart responded to questions, and when pressed the other half-dozen representatives present stayed silent. And prior to its passage in the Senate, a handful of House moderates had more questions than answers.

"The age-old dilemma here is how many curriculum decisions should the Legislature be making," Rep. Sheryl Allen, R-Bountiful, said last week. "Another question is, is it in compliance with the scientific method?"

Other moderates said that in the end, the debate may convince representatives that the bill is worthwhile — just as it did in the Senate.

"We need to have an open mind," Rep. Dave Hogue, R-Riverton, said last week. "It would be wrong of us to close the door and not listen to the debate . . . (people) may be surprised, and see the House may pass this."

On the flip side, Rep. Kory Holdaway, R-Taylorsville, thought that the bill was not something that the Legislature should be passing.

"I just don't think it's something we need to be doing," he said.

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E-mail: jloftin@desnews.com