I need your help please!

In my biology class we're currently doing debates about different topics such as human cloning, eugenics, and evolution. I'm pro-evolution, but I have been assigned the job of the Interrogator which means I have to ask the con-evolution advocate questions to try and disprove their theory. I'm not sure what to ask and I really don't want to get into attacking religion because that's not what we're debating. If you could give me some ideas or websites that u know could help me that would be great, I could really use your help since I now sure where to start. Thanks so much!-Bo

Good for you for staying off the attacking religion thing.How long do you have before you are doing this?One problem that exists when "debating" creationists is that no two seem to have the same ideas? Do you know what stance the opponents are taking?And are they taking a creationist stance or simply attacking evolution?

"... their theory"Are there any constaints on them? Does it have to be a scientific theory or can they evoke miracles whenever they need to?

What we're doing is basically Evolution vs. Creationsim- which theory is more valid. That's pretty much all I know, and I don't really know anything about what the Con-Evolution groups is doing except I know that one girl, the Researcher, got a bunch of information on the theory of Creationsim from her church and stuff. And it's due in a little less than a week.-Bo

it' supposed to be a scientific theory but whether or not they actually stick to it, i don't know.

You're almost certain to run into the "it's only a theory" issue. There's a bunch of stuff on here and web sites like TalkOrigins Archive: Exploring the Creation/Evolution Controversy.You need to think about overall strategy. I haven't done such a debate so I'm not the best one to advise. There might be something on talkorgins about that too. Are you going to let them put you on the defensive or stay on the attack.I'd be inclined to demand that they say just what their "theory" is. If it is young earth then you'll see the kind of stuff that is put forward in the radiometric dating thread here. There is some good stuff posted there.

If we had some of that information the girl got from her church, I'm sure we could help. Any chance you can get a look at that stuff?------------------
No webpage found at provided URL: www.hells-handmaiden.com

I think it would be cheating to try to get that. However the good news is that there haven't been many new ideas put forward by the creationists and they have all been recycled to death and refuted here and elsewhere a bunch of times.The FAQs of talkorigins will probably help.If you want to try expressing anything in your own words and get us to play devil's advocate I, for one, will. We can probably do an ok job of attacking you.

I think it would be cheating to try to get that. However the good news is that there haven't been many new ideas put forward by the creationists and they have all been recycled to death and refuted here and elsewhere a bunch of times.The FAQs of talkorigins will probably help.If you want to try expressing anything in your own words and get us to play devil's advocate I, for one, will. We can probably do an ok job of attacking you.

I think the tact to take is to discredit creationism as science.Scientific models have requirements; one of those is that they rely on natural mechanisms to explain things. So if they're argument is that all life was suddenly created 6000 years ago, they need a natural (not supernatural) mechanism to explain how that could occur. Saying "God did it" means it's not a scientific theory.Basically you need some philosophy of science to talk about the scientific methodology and what theories are and aren't science. A good book for that is "Why People Believe Weird Things", by Michael Shermer (I think.) In fact it addresses a number of specific creationist arguments very simply. I highly reccomend you try and find it.

I believe God created the universe in 6 days so I suppose I can point you in a better direction than Talk Origins.First of all, know the subject.Go to Answers in Genesis ( Answers in Genesis ) and review both their Q&A and Archived Articles sections.Second, pick a single topic and hammer away at it.I like the one already suggested above that hits at the heart of Creationist belief. Perhaps an alternative might be "Prove that God exists." or "Where did the matter come from that God created the universe with." There are many possibilities. However, the caveat goes in the opposite direction. "Prove that there is no God;" and "Where did the matter come from that the supposed 'Big Bang' was composed of?"Third, be prepared to address your own beliefs in preparation for your debate.Unless you truly know where you stand on the issues you'll only be flailing at the wind. Are you a naturalist? Then prove your beliefs through the questions that you ask and the answers that you give from a naturalist point of view. You will be challenged by the science (yes, gentlemen, science) at Answers at Genesis because it has already hit some sore spots at Nature, etc. Don't be surprised if you actually learn something there that clearly refutes evolution based on the works of creationists and evolutionists alike. You might even be persuaded by the evidence against evolution, so be prepared to fight your reaction to come over to our ranks. I say the above "tongue in cheek" but you really should reconcile the difference between what you firmly believe with what Answers in Genesis firmly believes if you are to argue against it.Fourth, be prepared to change your beliefs. You may not "become" a Creationist but you may be influenced by the sound, scientific thought at Answers at Genesis to question what you currently hold as truth. If you are truly a naturalist, then you will embrace what you believe is better science and concede that the other was incorrect or incomplete, whatever side you believe afterward.Fifth, be prepared to influence your opponent and others.Whatever your argument against "Creationism," it may have unintended consequences, positive or negative, in relation to your refutation of it. To the Creationist, your argument may be evidence that they can use to prove "Creationism" and refute you in return - ergo, "First of all, know the subject."I hope this helps.Besides, if all else fails, just pray to God before the debate, he always helps me.

How is it going?
Do you have anything that you'd like a comment on?

6days,

quote:

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Go to Answers in Genesis ( Answers in Genesis ) and review both their Q&A and Archived Articles sections.

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Second, pick a single topic and hammer away at it.

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Tell you what, I'll give you the advantage, & ask *you* to pick a subject to hammer away at. I guarantee you, factual & logical errors will abound in anything from AiG. The question is, do you give a shit?Pls open a new thread.Mark------------------
Occam's razor is not for shaving with.[This message has been edited by mark24, 05-29-2003]

The individuals beliefs have nothing to do with the scientific questions. At least this is true on the side of the scientists. They range from militant atheists ( e.g., Dawkins) to evengelical Christians (one of which I worked with). Overall about 40 % of practising scientists are believers. So don't bother with your beliefs. They are not pertinent.Only on the creationist side is there some degree of homogeneity. And since some of the creationist organizations require that belief come first their beliefs might be an issue.

Wow! Thanks for all of your replies and help everyone! I cannot tell you how much I appreciate it! I'm going tomorrow so wish me luck!