Topic: Creation vs. Evolution.
bashajones's photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:19 PM


me thinks you ought to look up the definition of a "Scientific Theory",and while you are at it,also the definition of a "Hypothesis"!


That would require her to develop and discuss her opinions with integrity. This is not the normal way of doing things for a creationist.


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Evolution has never been proven. Its an idea invented by a man who ended up not believing his own stories....


The truth of human evolution doesn't depend on the opinions of any one person.


Neither does the truth of Intelligent Design...

no photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:19 PM

If we compromised, it would be nice. If we agreed, it would be a miracle.


How much of this comment was intended as a joke? Surely you know that the truth is not subject to mere popular opinion? You and he cannot decide what is true and what is not true by compromising with each other.

no photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:20 PM

Scientists are just men. And men have been known to be wrong...


This is why you should not take the claims of men at face value, and investigate it yourself. For example, if people in your religious community claimed that the bible is the word of god, do you take this as truth, or do you investigate it yourself?

Fortunately, the mistakes that scientists have made tend to get exposed and addressed by the work of other people.

Our understanding of evolution has improved much through this process.

jimmorrisoncutthroat's photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:21 PM


If we compromised, it would be nice. If we agreed, it would be a miracle.


How much of this comment was intended as a joke? Surely you know that the truth is not subject to mere popular opinion? You and he cannot decide what is true and what is not true by compromising with each other.


hey man i didnt compromise i m totally for intelligent evolution... & survival of the fittest

bashajones's photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:21 PM
Edited by bashajones on Tue 08/12/14 04:24 PM



That would require her to develop and discuss her opinions with integrity. This is not the normal way of doing things for a creationist.


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Now I have no integrity? Because I don't agree with you? THAT is sooo like a liberal....lol



bashajones's photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:25 PM


Scientists are just men. And men have been known to be wrong...


This is why you should not take the claims of men at face value, and investigate it yourself. For example, if people in your religious community claimed that the bible is the word of god, do you take this as truth, or do you investigate it yourself?

Fortunately, the mistakes that scientists have made tend to get exposed and addressed by the work of other people.

Our understanding of evolution has improved much through this process.


Just like our understanding of global warming is MUCH improved?...lol..Who are you trying to kid here?.....

no photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:26 PM


You are picking and choosing your "truth". Don't you see that?



Which truth have I chosen?

There is a mountain of evidence establishing that humans are descended from non-human primates, and that evolutionary processes have lead to a diversification of life on this planet.

I did not 'choose' this belief, I challenged it. I studied it. I eventually came to realize that it was true.

There is no corresponding evidence to justify a comparable level of confidence in ID.


no photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:27 PM


Evolution has never been proven. Its an idea invented by a man who ended up not believing his own stories....


The truth of human evolution doesn't depend on the opinions of any one person.


Neither does the truth of Intelligent Design...


So you recognize now that your statements about the man in question have no relevance in a conversation about what is true?


no photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:29 PM
Edited by massagetrade on Tue 08/12/14 04:30 PM


That would require her to develop and discuss her opinions with integrity. This is not the normal way of doing things for a creationist.




Now I have no integrity? Because I don't agree with you? THAT is sooo like a liberal....lol



You jump to conclusions without reading carefully. That is so like a liberal.


I made no statement about *your* integrity. I made statements about what would be required of you, and what is the norm for creationists. Do you have that integrity? Are you a 'typical' creationist? Or do you value honesty and truth - and honest thought processes, and the application of reason?







bashajones's photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:31 PM



That would require her to develop and discuss her opinions with integrity. This is not the normal way of doing things for a creationist.




Now I have no integrity? Because I don't agree with you? THAT is sooo like a liberal....lol



You jump to conclusions without reading carefully. That is so like a liberal.


I made no statement about *your* integrity. I made statements about what would be required of you, and what is the norm for creationists. Do you have that integrity? Are you a 'typical' creationist? Or do you value honesty and truth - and honest thought processes, and the application of reason?









I DO value honesty and truth. And I see none in anything you are saying. Your opinion of me means nothing, also. You are merely an evolutionist.

no photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:34 PM


Just like our understanding of global warming is MUCH improved?...lol..Who are you trying to kid here?.....


If you have studied scientific theories surrounding global warming over the past forty years, you would know that that human's understanding of this topic has, in fact, been much improved.

This has been aided a tremendous amount by the development of computers.

What exactly is your point? Why do you change the topic to global warming? Do you think that your disagreement with scientists in one area therefore invalidates the notion that scientists generally function by improving their understanding of a topic over time?

bashajones's photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:35 PM



Just like our understanding of global warming is MUCH improved?...lol..Who are you trying to kid here?.....


If you have studied scientific theories surrounding global warming over the past forty years, you would know that that human's understanding of this topic has, in fact, been much improved.

This has been aided a tremendous amount by the development of computers.

What exactly is your point? Why do you change the topic to global warming? Do you think that your disagreement with scientists in one area therefore invalidates the notion that scientists generally function by improving their understanding of a topic over time?


My point is that scientists are not all-knowing. A degree in science does not prove that you are right about everything. There are your scientists on both sides of evolution and global warming. And guess what? They don't agree. Can you wrap your head around that?

no photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:39 PM


I made no statement about *your* integrity. I made statements about what would be required of you, and what is the norm for creationists. Do you have that integrity? Are you a 'typical' creationist? Or do you value honesty and truth - and honest thought processes, and the application of reason?



I DO value honesty and truth.


Do you have even the minimal integrity to acknowledge that you jumped to a wrong conclusion about my meaning, without carefully reading my words?

If you value honesty and truth, then you know that it matters whether a word is being used in a consistent way. The word theory in one context means something different than the word theory in another. If you want to communicate honestly, you will be open about this fact, and not hide it, and not abuse it to make a dishonest argument. You made such a dishonest argument earlier in this thread. If you value honesty and truth, you will look at this.

And I see none in anything you are saying. Your opinion of me means nothing, also. You are merely an evolutionist.


As a stranger sharing an online space, my opinion ought to mean nothing to you, that's fine. But what about your reason? Do you still employ it? MetalWing posted good material, which I've reposted. Did you read it? Did you think about it?

Individual opinions may not be important, but aspiring to quality reasoning is important to people who really
value honesty and truth.

bashajones's photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:40 PM



I made no statement about *your* integrity. I made statements about what would be required of you, and what is the norm for creationists. Do you have that integrity? Are you a 'typical' creationist? Or do you value honesty and truth - and honest thought processes, and the application of reason?



I DO value honesty and truth.


Do you have even the minimal integrity to acknowledge that you jumped to a wrong conclusion about my meaning, without carefully reading my words?

If you value honesty and truth, then you know that it matters whether a word is being used in a consistent way. The word theory in one context means something different than the word theory in another. If you want to communicate honestly, you will be open about this fact, and not hide it, and not abuse it to make a dishonest argument. You made such a dishonest argument earlier in this thread. If you value honesty and truth, you will look at this.

And I see none in anything you are saying. Your opinion of me means nothing, also. You are merely an evolutionist.


As a stranger sharing an online space, my opinion ought to mean nothing to you, that's fine. But what about your reason? Do you still employ it? MetalWing posted good material, which I've reposted. Did you read it? Did you think about it?

Individual opinions may not be important, but aspiring to quality reasoning is important to people who really
value honesty and truth.



Has it ever occurred to you that you choose the material that you choose to believe? Has it ever occurred to you that you MIGHT be wrong?

no photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:45 PM


My point is that scientists are not all-knowing.


Yes, of course not.

A degree in science does not prove that you are right about everything.


Having known a handful or idiots with science degrees, I can't help laughing about this understatement. Yes. Scientists can be wrong.



There are your scientists on both sides of evolution and global warming.



Truth is not determined by 'popularity among scientists', but its worth addressing this misleading statement, anyway.

There are precious few actual scientists who would disagree with the basic tenets of evolution. Every so called scientist I've heard of who questions the basic tenets of evolution has shown that they are also deeply invested in religiosity, and most have been shown to not actually be scientists. Getting a PhD and then becoming a preacher doesn't make you a 'scientist'.



And guess what? They don't agree. Can you wrap your head around that?


Maybe you'd like to offer a more specific claim? I'm aware of the dishonest tactics that creationists use - of promoting creationists who happen to also have PhDs as if they were actually scientists. It was hard to wrap my head around such scummy behaviour, but I've come to learn to people will stoop quite low to justify clinging to false beliefs.

bashajones's photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:49 PM



My point is that scientists are not all-knowing.


Yes, of course not.

A degree in science does not prove that you are right about everything.


Having known a handful or idiots with science degrees, I can't help laughing about this understatement. Yes. Scientists can be wrong.



There are your scientists on both sides of evolution and global warming.



Truth is not determined by 'popularity among scientists', but its worth addressing this misleading statement, anyway.

There are precious few actual scientists who would disagree with the basic tenets of evolution. Every so called scientist I've heard of who questions the basic tenets of evolution has shown that they are also deeply invested in religiosity, and most have been shown to not actually be scientists. Getting a PhD and then becoming a preacher doesn't make you a 'scientist'.



And guess what? They don't agree. Can you wrap your head around that?


Maybe you'd like to offer a more specific claim? I'm aware of the dishonest tactics that creationists use - of promoting creationists who happen to also have PhDs as if they were actually scientists. It was hard to wrap my head around such scummy behaviour, but I've come to learn to people will stoop quite low to justify clinging to false beliefs.


Now who's making false and misleading statements? Wow, I can't believe you believe the things you are saying. Now, you are picking and choosing who is a real scientist to fit in with what you believe. Do you even realize what you are saying?

no photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:53 PM

Has it ever occurred to you that you MIGHT be wrong?



Oh, absolutely. Thinking that I might be wrong about something is core to how my mind words, and has been since I was a child.

That doesn't diminish the overwhelming body of evidence supporting the view that humans have descended from non-human primates, nor a large body of personal experience suggesting that creationism is sustained in the public's mind largely through dishonest practices like extreme cherry picking, abuses of logic, and outright lies.



Has it ever occurred to you that you choose the material that you choose to believe? Has it ever occurred to you that you MIGHT be wrong?


Earlier in my life, I read everything I could get my hands on. The primary criteria was that it had to be 'new' to me. I intentionally chose materials which challenged what I already thought I knew.

I've read the gospels end to end a half dozen times.

I've read dozens and dozens of books attacking the theory of evolution.

I don't especially *want* to believe in the theory of evolution, I *want* simply to not lie to myself.

I could invent a dozen fanciful stories of human origins that I'd much rather believe, but they would be inventions.

no photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:56 PM
Edited by massagetrade on Tue 08/12/14 04:56 PM


Now who's making false and misleading statements? Wow, I can't believe you believe the things you are saying. Now, you are picking and choosing who is a real scientist to fit in with what you believe. Do you even realize what you are saying?


No, again you are making assumptions about my thought process that fit your preference.

I am choosing scientists based on whether or not they actually continue to practice science over the course of their lifetime.

It just so happens that the 'scientists' who disagree with the basic tenets of evolution are usually not scientists, by this definition. I'm not discounting them 'as a real scientist' because of their belief, I'm discounting them because of their failure to remain engaged in the practice of science after getting a degree.


bashajones's photo
Tue 08/12/14 04:57 PM


Has it ever occurred to you that you MIGHT be wrong?



Oh, absolutely. Thinking that I might be wrong about something is core to how my mind words, and has been since I was a child.

That doesn't diminish the overwhelming body of evidence supporting the view that humans have descended from non-human primates, nor a large body of personal experience suggesting that creationism is sustained in the public's mind largely through dishonest practices like extreme cherry picking, abuses of logic, and outright lies.



Has it ever occurred to you that you choose the material that you choose to believe? Has it ever occurred to you that you MIGHT be wrong?


Earlier in my life, I read everything I could get my hands on. The primary criteria was that it had to be 'new' to me. I intentionally chose materials which challenged what I already thought I knew.

I've read the gospels end to end a half dozen times.

I've read dozens and dozens of books attacking the theory of evolution.

I don't especially *want* to believe in the theory of evolution, I *want* simply to not lie to myself.

I could invent a dozen fanciful stories of human origins that I'd much rather believe, but they would be inventions.



Well, to me it sounds as if you "want" to believe in evolution....That is how I see it, and that is how you come across. At least I'm being honest about what I choose to believe.

bashajones's photo
Tue 08/12/14 05:00 PM



Now who's making false and misleading statements? Wow, I can't believe you believe the things you are saying. Now, you are picking and choosing who is a real scientist to fit in with what you believe. Do you even realize what you are saying?


No, again you are making assumptions about my thought process that fit your preference.

I am choosing scientists based on whether or not they actually continue to practice science over the course of their lifetime.

It just so happens that the 'scientists' who disagree with the basic tenets of evolution are usually not scientists, by this definition. I'm not discounting them 'as a real scientist' because of their belief, I'm discounting them because of their failure to remain engaged in the practice of science after getting a degree.




At this point, it sounds as if you're conveniently making things up. There are credible scientists that have opionions and facts that don't agree with yours. I'm surprised at your intelligence for someone who has such a closed mind.