"Jar's persistent use of provocative language runs counter to the civil exchanges we try to encourage here. " Admin
As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted
What is an Articulate Informed Creationist?
EvC is supposedly a place where the supporters of Evolution or Creation can present the best argument in defense of their position. But what does that really mean?
Type 1If someone is going to support some form of Biblical Creation, they have several choices; they can take the emotional route and use special pleadings to the Bible. This relies solely on appealing to authority, saying that regardless of the evidence the Biblical Creation myth(s) will be all that is accepted.
Type 2A second possible method they could use is to present a series of models that explain what is seen better than the current models, and then actually subject those models to examination through the peer review system. The models though must be demonstrable and explain things even better than the existing models, and should they call on some magic trick like "insert miracle here" they must actually be ready to support with evidence such an incident, or if God is involved, be ready to place God on exhibit to be tested and verified.
Type 3There is a third tactic we often see, but it is flawed and irrelevant right from the beginning and so should simply be rejected, perhaps with a chuckle, as soon as it is entered. That tactic is to try to attack the existing models. Those that use such a tactic thinking it advances the Creationist position should just be dismissed, hopefully with an explanation that even if the TOE, as an example, were shown to be totally wrong, it would in no way add support or validity to any other competing position. The fact that one might be wrong does not imply that the other might be right.
That third tactic needs to be emphasized.
Showing errors in one system, model, technique or theory does not support some other system, model, technique or theory.
So that leaves only the two other options.
The first is simple denial. Biblical Creationists can simply say "I believe the (insert whatever special creation theory the poster likes) and you cannot convince me otherwise." The problem with that approach is it makes for short or boring threads.
The second option, presenting models that explain the universe we live in better than the existing models is all that is left. Unfortunately, that would require a scientific approach. It would need to have the internal consistency and correlative characteristics of the current models as well as providing naturalistic and testable models for all things seen. Further, it would have to be inclusive. The model presented would need to explain geology, biology, genetics, cosmology, astronomy, physics, chemistry and every other area explained by the current models. It also requires that either God be placed in evidence, to be tested just like any rock or slime mold, or God be left out.. If they cannot place God out there to be examined by exactly the same methods used in any of the current models, then God needs to be just tossed aside as another irrelevant part of the model.
So are any of the various approaches possible?
Certainly the first one is valid. It is possible to simply state that you are not going to accept any evidence that refutes your position.
The third is just silly. Disproving one model adds no weight to any other.
The second is conditionally possible. If someone were able to first prove God exists and do so in a way that can be independently tested by believers and non-believers alike, if God can be shown to be just another natural phenomena and not at all super-natural, then God could be part of the model. The alternative approach to the second method is to exclude God totally, and to simply present new models that explain what is seen better than the existing models.
That one, the alternative Second method would be the most likely to actually produce any results. It is though the most difficult of the options available. It would be the most exciting thing to happen in Science to date and something that would be of extreme value.
The problem is that it would have to create models for all of Science. That is a mammoth undertaking. For example, a model is needed to create sand.
Sand seems simple. Under the current model, rock is weathered by forces that can be observed and tested. The main causative factor is expansion and contraction, either of the rock itself by being exposed to hot and cold cycles, or through the expansion of water as it turns to ice. It is a basically simple mechanism, can be tested and shown to work. Once a smaller piece is broken off the larger rock, that piece in turn is split further by the same forces and broken by mechanical forces during transport. The end result is many smaller rocks.
If someone is going to create sand by some other model, they would need to present a model that explains sand as well as the current model.
That step, model creation, would need to be repeated for every thing we see. In addition, all of the different models must be supportive; a model must explain what is seen but also not create conditions that are excluded by other evidence. For example, rocks can also be pulverized into small pieces by a high speed impact, but that will also leave evidence in a change in the type of smaller particles produced.
Water can even be used to cut rock. But again, such a model would have to specify the pressure at the cutting point, the mechanism that produced the phenomena, and demonstrate that the product actually seen, sand that is identical in composition and form to the sand produced by the current model, is produced.
But what do we see at EvC?
We see a few type 1s, those who simply deny the evidence. When it is pointed out that all they have is denial, they often get angry.
Then we get LOTs of type 3s. They try attacking the TOE or dating as though that somehow enhances their position. When it is pointed out that what they are doing is really irrelevant to supporting Creationism, they often get angry.
We get a few of the initial type 2as, those that simply want to "insert miracle here". They spout on about "Fountains of the Deep" and "Pre Flood States" and "Vapor Canopy" but when it is pointed out that they must first produce evidence that any such things even exist, their sole recourse is to quote Bible passages out of context or spin fantasy yarns. Then they get angry.
We have had few members of type 2b post here, so not much can be said about their reactions.
So the question is, how can we allow each type to present the best possible support for their position and is there any reason that their argument should not be countered?
Edited by jar, : Bold Types
Edited by jar, : fix boo-boo
Edited by jar, : still appalin spallin
Edited by jar, : Change topic heading
Edited by jar, : Fix weird punctuation marks
Anyone so limited that they can only spell a word one way is severely handicapped!
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