Is there anyone willing to discuss the theory of evolution with me?

Question

I am not looking to have an argument or a debate with anyone. I am also not a troll (does it do any good to assure others that one is not a troll?). I will say that I do not accept the theory of evolution but I am not so closed minded that I am unwilling to learn more about it. In fact, that is what this is about.

I am interested in corresponding with someone well versed in evolutionary biology so that I may address some issues that puzzle me. I am not a typical Christian creationist and consider myself well educated in regards to evolution, but I guess they all say that, don't they?

I would be interested in corresponding with someone who has actually had formal education in science as opposed to a "layman". Once again, I will stress that I am not looking to change anyone's mind about anything and would appreciate someone who would refrain from trying to "convert" me. Besides, the best thing you could do is give me the facts as you understand them and allow them to speak for themselves. You may think that a person who is a Christian and a young Earth creationist is, by definition, unreasonable and irrational. I assert that I am neither of those things, though you would have to actually get to know me a little bit to convinced of that.

If you are amiable to my suggestion then please send me an email. I promise I won't send you any spam or anything other than my sincere questions on evolution. Thanks!

Answer 1

Rather than correspond, perhaps you should check out a book

Evolution for Dummies

Despite the name, it's pretty good. I caught only a couple of mistakes in it (the whole sidebar on gomphotheres, and the scientific name for dogs is incorrect in one place).

Answer 2

That's an interesting proposal. Unfortunately, it's not likely that you're going to get any takers. You can look at James down there to see what those of us who have a science background expect to run into - he managed to get a BS in Biology, he claims, and yet he managed to rationalize away and presumably willfully misinterpret what he was supposed to be understanding. Faith can coexist with reason, but you need to make a conscious decision to allow such strange bedfellows to live together, and clearly James has decided that faith is all he needs. Science is not religion, and approaching it as if it was simply something to be "believed in" or "converted to" is a pretty good way to fail to understand it. It might be useful to think of science as simply organized curiosity rather than a school of philosophy or whatever you may think it is. It's really just a way of thinking. We try to understand how things work, not why the universe exists (although if you want to approach that sort of question in science, there's no law against it, obviously). The big problem with what you propose is that those of us who have dealt with Creationists have quickly become frustrated at their invariable refusal to accept what we call facts. To us, a fact is something demonstrable and unequivocal. It simply is, and can be shown to be. It's not a matter for debate or argument (although what a fact means may be the cause of savage battles in the halls of academia). To a creationist, in my experience, anyway, a fact is whatever the religion requires something to be, and any conflict between the religion and 'objective reality' is automatically resolved in favor of the religion. This makes it pretty much impossible to have such a discussion as you propose. If we cannot agree on the underpinnings of reality, how can we find common ground?

Answer 3

"You may think that a person who is a Christian and a young Earth creationist is, by definition, unreasonable and irrational. I assert that I am neither of those things, though you would have to actually get to know me a little bit to convinced of that."



A person who is a young earth creationist IS unreasonable and irrational because he is ignoring the overwhelming evidence against his position. It is well established that unreasonable and irrational people do not know they are unreasonable and irrational. It is also possible for someone to be perfectly rational in all other aspects of his life, but believe the most outrageous things in one limited field of knowledge. Irwin Schiff was a successful businessman until he got it into his head that Congress can not impose an income tax. He was completely delusional on the subject. He is now serving what is effectively a life sentence for failure to seek psychiatric help.

Answer 4

They know, they are just practising a Christian type of taqiya. Mendacity is best if you're lying for Jesus. @Prιncess Dαιsy Sαrαsα&alternate; sure you are :P "scientific law: A logical, mathematical statement describing a consistency that applies to all contributors of a vast class of phenomena when specific conditions are met. Examples of scientific legal guidelines: Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction, Coulomb’s law of electrostatic appeal, Dalton’s legislation of partial pressures, Boyle’s gasoline law." "scientific theory: an evidence of why and the way a distinct usual phenomenon happens. Numerous hypotheses are founded on theories. In flip, theories is also redefined as new hypotheses are established. Examples of theories: Newton’s idea of Gravitation, Darwin’s idea of Evolution, Mendel’s conception of Inheritance, Einstein’s idea of Relativity." A law is an outline of what occurs. A idea is an reason behind how it occurs.

Answer 5

I have a BS degree in biology and am a creationist. What evidence would it take for everyone to reject evolution and become a creationist? There cannot be any because it would not be allowed. All possible evidence would somehow be met by an evolutionary answer. If ever there was a concept that deserves to be called impossible, it is the abiotic origin of life. They will go to extremes not to believe. Evolution is effectively unfalsifiable, therefore unscientific. It is a type of religion.

Answer 6

Well, I am a lay person, believe in evolution, think Creationism is bizarre, can't for any reason think of why it should be taken seriously, would absolutely listen to the other side, do agree that every one should be able to believe what they want, am very appreciative of your concise and well written question and your want to listen to another's point of view. I hope you find an email-pal, someone you can discuss the question with, someone intelligent enough to respond appropriately.

Answer 7

If you consider yourself well educated in regards to evolution, why don't you accept it? and, better question, why do you have issues that still need to be addressed? Was whoever provided you with this education unable or unwilling to address your issues?



Your very well written question indicates that you believe you are not unreasonable and are not irrational. It's fine that you believe this but the same sentence indicates you are a "young Earth creationist". I believe that being a "young Earth creationist" demonstrates that you are not reasoning correctly and you are not thinking rationally OR you were certainly NOT well educated in evolution.



Perhaps another theory will provide you with some food for thought...



Suppose that the entire universe was created just for you last night at 3:17 am your local time. You were created with the memory that you were born, grew up with people who were your parents, attended school with other kids (some of whom you may have seen today), memory of what you ate for dinner last night and what you watched on tv before you went to bed. Particular people were created with memories of being your parents and attending the same school as you. Your mother's purse was created with photos of your first birthday and your immunization records. Your dentist was created with x-rays identified as your baby teeth. Your knee was created with a scar on it that you believe happened when you were 10. Your cell phone was created with vm that looks like it was from yesterday and a phone company will soon send you a bill indicating that you owe them for minutes that did not exist because the universe did not exist. A DMV somewhere was created with electronic records that indicate you receive a speed ticket in 2011. Your refrigerator was created with a gallon of milk that is already beyond it's "Best By" date. Your bedroom floor was created with dirty underwear on it that you think you wore yesterday and your tooth brush was created with dried tooth paste on it. A few rare trees were created with tree rings that suggest that these particular trees have been alive for something like 8000 years. Hundreds of glaciers and ice sheets were created all around the earth with layering that suggests the ice accumulated over hundreds of thousands of years. The starlight that appears to be coming from a distant galaxy was created with the red shift that suggests that this particular galaxy is a million light years away from us and is moving farther away from us at very high speed. And, of course, the earth was created with all the fossils and geologic features suggesting a 4.5 billion year history. And all living things were created with the same basic DNA chemistry and with all the genetic markers that connect particular species to other particular species.



Try to prove, reasonably and rationally, that this is not true. When you have done this, let's talk.

Answer 8

I've studied evolution at the university level. I'd be happy to chat if you're interested.

Answer 9

SURE i WILL DISCUSS IT WITH YOU AS LONG AS WE AGREE IT IS A THEORY AND NOT A FACT i DO HAVE THE BACKGROUND IN BIOLOGY AND GENETICS YOU CAN E- MAIL ME