Hello all, this is my first post to this board. I'm an evolutionist in the midst of a debate with a creationist (more specifically, an intelligent design advocate), and I would like to share some of his arguments in hopes of refining my responses to them.
My opponent's questions (in his own words, and which he claims a reputable evolutionist couldn't answer):
1. Explain the origin of all matter in the universe, and don't use the Big Bang. That is only what dispersed it.
2. Explain how a Venus flytrap evolved. According to atheistic theory, these plants evolved an ingenious trap to capture insects due to a nitrogen deficiency (his point: the trap required an idea...it's too well-conceived to have happened by accident).
3. Explain the evolution of the Saguaro cactus. Arizona was marshland less than 10,000 years ago...an environment which would quickly kill this delicate plant off. Where did it come from? (he claims the plant couldn't have adapted via evolution in such a short amount of time).
4. Which came first? The fig tree? Or the fig wasp? (I assume many of you know of the relationship between these two organisms.) And why can't a fig tree grow in the wild?
5. The diving bell spider builds a diving bell of web under water. Using a pair of hooks on its legs, it traps an air bubble on the surface, then carries it down to the diving bell, where it lives. Without the equipment (the hooks), it couldn't carry the bubble down. Yet, according to evolution, the spider evolved the hooks (which have no other practical use) to trap the air. So, which came first? The spider's idea to build a diving bell? Or the physical tools to accomplish it? If this critter evolved, that means that a spider thought up the idea for a diving bell, before it had the physical means to accomplish it. Utter nonsense.
I have developed some responses to his questions, but I think they need more input in order to convince him of their validity. After all, he claims "You can't change my mind." But it appears he is somewhat reasonable (imagine that!) and open to sufficient evidence (and thus in search of truth and not a confirmation of his religious beliefs). Thus, a finely-tuned explanation for his questions may do some good...
Thank you for your time.