An Army of One

Thanks for the confidence that we'll be able to help here.There have been a number of such discussions. Use search to see if you can find them. I will if I get time.AND:A warning to all: Do not make this a catch all place to argue. Let's keep it on approach with references to threads on any topics which arise.

Good start from Sidelined.I think the whole other issue is how to approach the true believer type so that they aren't turned off nor is there any rancour raised in the family.Sometimes it is best to just not discuss it? (Not that I could manage that).

You (like us all) have a lot to learn. Here's a thought - free and maybe worth that much.I'd suggest not discussing ANY interpretations or results for a long time. Instead discuss what are facts and not. As you learn looking around here the anti-science folks are almost universely ignorant of the facts.As you learn things you can bring them up at appropriate times.In addtion, you could bring (in appropriate threads) to here what "facts" they are telling you.In fact, use that as a guide. Ask them for the "facts" that they want you to know. Things like "radio carbon dating is wrong", "there are no transitionals", etc.Do not engage but ask for a lot of clarification. E.g., "how do you know?", what do you mean?, what do you define .... as?

Why don't you jump in and ask your best dumb questions now? I can absolutely assure you that asking questions of any kind will not be looked down on.It will probably be best if each is in a thread of it's own though.

Well, it's not exactly a question is it? I suggest that you were a bit blunt. When the kids (now late teens) ask if I believe in santa claus I still say yes.I think you can, in the same spirit (pardon the pun), say you do believe in Adam and Eve (to the degree that you believe in god or are agnostic about it).What makes us human (please refer to catholic church's position on this too) is NOT the bodies that we inhabit; it is the our natures (our spirit for those so inclined -- but not me).One can choose to believe that god "breathed" this spirit into the animal shell and in fact did it to just a pair of early humans about 200,000 years ago.Of course, others here would say that God is MUCH more powerful than that and set the course of events going 4 or 14 billion years ago knowing that after that time a few millenia ago spirited humans would arise.Not necessarily just two but only a few in the garden of Africa.It's too bad that your family choose to believe in such a little weak god but what can you do.

It might be interesting to ask your family about their attitude toward "lying for the Lord". I would hope that they don't accept it.Then you might ask if they think any of the sources on this controversy would do so. If there are {iany[/i] how many are there? Are their sources in that group?