This broadens the topic slightly, but it looks like Iano and I started similiar threads around the same time, so here's what I had posted, hopefully we can keep them all in the same place.
Surfing the posts I've frequently come across phrases like "your side" or "the people on your side", etc. As near as I can tell everyone (including me) uses these.
But what are the "sides"? Who's on who's team?
This thread is an attempt to establish the main groups active in this debate, their beliefs, theif foundations for those beliefs.
This could include a listing of who's a member of what group, but I suggest we leave that up to an individual to self-identify.
I'm going to start by listing the groups as I see them, organized as I see fit, and their basic arguments.
Feel free to jump in and tell me how wrong I am.
Group 1: Evolutionists
subgroups - Atheistic evolutionists, Theistic evolutionists, Abiogenisists
Argument: The processes we see today are the same processes which existed in the past. The data overwhelmingly supports and confirms a long, slow, process of speciation through the mechanics of Evolution (mutation & natural selection).
Note: How the process started has no effect on the process itself, therefore not real conflict between Atheistic and Theistic Evolutionists, etc.
Group 2: Old Earth Creationists
subgroups: Intelligent Design, Biblical relativists
Argument: The complexities we see around us are too intricate and well thought out to have been the result of chance mutations over time. While the data clearly indicates a long series of species extending back through time, the changes we see in those species have been directed by a higher power.
Note: The creation story in Genesis is metaphorical. The "days" could represent millions of years, and therefore in principle the story doesn't conflict with this theory.
Group 3: Young Earth Creationists / Literalists
Argument: The Bible is a direct account of the creation of the Earth and the species upon it. The events laid out within (the Creation, the Garden of Eden, the Flood) took place as they are described. The special conditions of a worldwide Flood explain the extinction / fossilization of non-existant animals. There is no change of species. Everything alive / extinct was create as is/was by God without variation.
Group 4: Undecideds
Argument: There's a lot of evidence, I haven't had nearly enough time to absorb it all.
Have I missed any groups? Have I gotten the arguments wrong?
Chime in
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