First? Second? Dead heat?

I have wanted to understand more of this debate of Intelligent Design that is flourishing in America. However, the approach is, for me, difficult. The basic 'truths' one has to accept to get to the outer rings of the matter, are ones I do not recognise. However, this guy seems to have made it a bit easier. Just a bit. I'm struggling with the concepts and the pro and con of the matter.