Register | Sign In


Understanding through Discussion


EvC Forum active members: 65 (9162 total)
3 online now:
Newest Member: popoi
Post Volume: Total: 915,817 Year: 3,074/9,624 Month: 919/1,588 Week: 102/223 Day: 13/17 Hour: 0/0


Thread  Details

Email This Thread
Newer Topic | Older Topic
  
Author Topic:   Duck Billed Platypus
Dragoness
Member (Idle past 6067 days)
Posts: 51
From: SLT, CA
Joined: 06-21-2007


Message 1 of 10 (406905)
06-22-2007 10:47 PM


OK well I heard the forum needed "new blood" so-to-speak and my husband (NOT ME) is a Creationist. He says "If they know everything, tell me how the Duck-Billed Platypus came to be."
So there is the question. I have no idea where it would go, or if it can even be started as a topic. But the "fresh blood" wants to know. I am more than happy to type his responses, but he doesnt do the message board thing.

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by AdminNosy, posted 06-23-2007 12:32 AM Dragoness has replied

AdminNosy
Administrator
Posts: 4754
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Joined: 11-11-2003


Message 2 of 10 (406934)
06-23-2007 12:32 AM
Reply to: Message 1 by Dragoness
06-22-2007 10:47 PM


Needs some meat
We ask that a new topic have some more to get it started than this.
I'd suggest that you explain why your husband thinks that there is any problem. In the past we find that people asking this question have no clue about what the duck billed platypus actually is like.
It is useful to know where someone is coming from before we answer a question that wasn't asked.
Some description of why the thinks there is a problem would be part of that.
Then an explanation of why not being able to discuss the detailed evolutionary history of a particular animal is some kind of refutation of evolutionary biology.
If his point is actually that it is necessary to "know everything" then I think that should be brought out clearly. I'm sure he doesn't think it is necessary to know "everything" in order to claim to know something. If he disagrees with then his reasoning for that position would be useful.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Dragoness, posted 06-22-2007 10:47 PM Dragoness has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 3 by Dragoness, posted 06-23-2007 12:42 AM AdminNosy has not replied

Dragoness
Member (Idle past 6067 days)
Posts: 51
From: SLT, CA
Joined: 06-21-2007


Message 3 of 10 (406937)
06-23-2007 12:42 AM
Reply to: Message 2 by AdminNosy
06-23-2007 12:32 AM


Re: Needs some meat
Well he JUST fell asleep, so over the weekend I will ask him. I have no idea why he thinks a duck billed platypus would be any different evolutionary then any other animal.
I think where he is coming from is that the duck bill is SO "out-there" compared with other animals that certainly it must have been made by God because why would something evole into it otherwise?
As far as knowing everything goes, my husband certainly thinks he does (can you imagine me rolling my eyes?)
My husband is looking for any way he can to challenge evolution vs creation. He agrees that things do evolve, but thats not how the planet and everything in it came to be. He doesnt go with the Young Earth Creation story, but rather something along the lines of "when the Bible said 6 days it was interprted incorrectly and 6 days could have been any length of time" and my argument to that is that "Why would the Bible say 6 days of that were wrong?"
IMO my husband changes what he sees fit in the Bible to make it work for him. If 6 days sounds too far fetched then certanily it must be a mistake, Creation still happened but the time frame was longer. In other words he fully believes in the Bible, just not exactly as we see it written.
I don't buy any of it personally.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by AdminNosy, posted 06-23-2007 12:32 AM AdminNosy has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 4 by Admin, posted 06-23-2007 9:41 AM Dragoness has replied

Admin
Director
Posts: 12998
From: EvC Forum
Joined: 06-14-2002
Member Rating: 2.3


Message 4 of 10 (406993)
06-23-2007 9:41 AM
Reply to: Message 3 by Dragoness
06-23-2007 12:42 AM


Re: Needs some meat
So the debate would actually be between evolutionists here at the site and your husband, with you acting as an intermediary. Can you ask your husband why he believes the platypus is evidence against evolution and post that to this thread. That would likely provide enough to get discussion started.
Another way to approach this would be for your husband to join EvC Forum and participate in person. We already have a husband/wife team here with Zhimbo and Schrafinator.

--Percy
EvC Forum Director

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by Dragoness, posted 06-23-2007 12:42 AM Dragoness has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 5 by Dragoness, posted 06-23-2007 2:13 PM Admin has replied

Dragoness
Member (Idle past 6067 days)
Posts: 51
From: SLT, CA
Joined: 06-21-2007


Message 5 of 10 (407029)
06-23-2007 2:13 PM
Reply to: Message 4 by Admin
06-23-2007 9:41 AM


Re: Needs some meat
I may get him to join sometimes soon, he is learning all about message boards and messenger as we speak. Right now he's clueless about message boards and has very little time.
BUT it appears he was just being a smartass anyway. He says "The duck-billed platypus was just put there (By God) to confuse Darwin"
I just don't even know what to say. Sorry I wasted your time with this one, I am going to smack him.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 4 by Admin, posted 06-23-2007 9:41 AM Admin has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 6 by AdminNosy, posted 06-23-2007 3:13 PM Dragoness has not replied
 Message 7 by Admin, posted 06-23-2007 5:24 PM Dragoness has replied

AdminNosy
Administrator
Posts: 4754
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Joined: 11-11-2003


Message 6 of 10 (407036)
06-23-2007 3:13 PM
Reply to: Message 5 by Dragoness
06-23-2007 2:13 PM


But the Platypus is an excellent example
In microcosm the platypus represents some of the nature of the discussions here. I goolged for "duck billed platypus relationships" and the first two sites that came up exemplify the kind of thinking of the two sides.
1) http://genome.wustl.edu/genome.cgi?GENOME=Ornithorhynchus...
This points out the mix of reptilian and mammalian characteristics of the platypus ("transitional" anyone? ). And then discusses the sequencing of it's genome and research.
2)What Did Saul’s Companions See and Hear on the Road to Damascus? - Apologetics Press
quote:
Evolutionists are astounded at the myriad of varying structures found on the duck-billed platypus. Its beak would imply a close relationship to ducks; its tail might place it with beavers; its hair is similar to that of a bear; its webbed feet imply that it would be an otter; and its claws are the likeness of a reptile’s. God’s hand must have been behind such diversity, because evolution certainly wasn’t!
They actually think that because it is named "duck bill" the bill is anything like a duck's. This is an example of basing one's views on wishful thinking and ignorance. BTW -- a platypus's bill is only superficial shaped like a ducks. It is nothing like one in actuality and in no way suggests a relationship to ducks (other than through it's reptilian ancestors).
The difference between these two sites that happened to pop up first and second in google is illuminating.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 5 by Dragoness, posted 06-23-2007 2:13 PM Dragoness has not replied

Admin
Director
Posts: 12998
From: EvC Forum
Joined: 06-14-2002
Member Rating: 2.3


Message 7 of 10 (407041)
06-23-2007 5:24 PM
Reply to: Message 5 by Dragoness
06-23-2007 2:13 PM


Re: Needs some meat
I agree with Nosy that the platypus is an excellent example, especially for the irony of trying to use a living transitional fossil as evidence against evolution. Possibly your husband is amused that you're taking seriously the fallacies he's tossing off. You may be giving him insufficient credit for subtlety.
Please be aware that EvC Forum does not offer couples counseling.

--Percy
EvC Forum Director

This message is a reply to:
 Message 5 by Dragoness, posted 06-23-2007 2:13 PM Dragoness has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 8 by Dragoness, posted 06-23-2007 5:27 PM Admin has not replied

Dragoness
Member (Idle past 6067 days)
Posts: 51
From: SLT, CA
Joined: 06-21-2007


Message 8 of 10 (407044)
06-23-2007 5:27 PM
Reply to: Message 7 by Admin
06-23-2007 5:24 PM


Re: Needs some meat
I assure he fully believes the crap he spouts off, drives me nuts.
But you are right on one thing, he does love to do things to get a rise out of me.
LOL about couples counseling, oh we are wayyyy beyond that. LOL

This message is a reply to:
 Message 7 by Admin, posted 06-23-2007 5:24 PM Admin has not replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 9 by AdminNosy, posted 06-23-2007 8:03 PM Dragoness has not replied

AdminNosy
Administrator
Posts: 4754
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Joined: 11-11-2003


Message 9 of 10 (407046)
06-23-2007 8:03 PM
Reply to: Message 8 by Dragoness
06-23-2007 5:27 PM


Some fun then
But you are right on one thing, he does love to do things to get a rise out of me.
Well, you might enjoy your visits here. No matter what he spouts off there are those here who will enjoy arguing over it. Heck, we argue over almost anything.
There are also some here who have significant expertise in many areas and/or a willingness to look it up and dig in. You have a team of allies that will enjoy helping you dissect almost anything put forward.
Maybe it works already? He's been asked for more details on his platypus position and ..... nothing there. Just, as you say, a smart assed comment. There is nothing confusing there for evolutionary theory and only some interesting questions about the actual evolution of this particular beastie.
You can search the web or the bookstore for the best of the anti-evolutionary arguments. There is little or nothing new and no real meat. It's fun to hold people's feet to the fire.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by Dragoness, posted 06-23-2007 5:27 PM Dragoness has not replied

AdminNosy
Administrator
Posts: 4754
From: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Joined: 11-11-2003


Message 10 of 10 (407216)
06-25-2007 3:24 AM


Thread copied to the Duck Billed Platypus thread in the Biological Evolution forum, this copy of the thread has been closed.

Newer Topic | Older Topic
Jump to:


Copyright 2001-2023 by EvC Forum, All Rights Reserved

™ Version 4.2
Innovative software from Qwixotic © 2024