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YahooA shout out to jdudejam for reminding me of the option of posting videos in blog entries.
posted on Wed, 09/24/2008 - 8:40pm
Creationism vs Evolution
Charles Darwin, photographed by Julia Margaret Cameron, 1868
Courtesy Julia Margaret CameronI believe I have mentioned this film before - but have you ever seen the documentary "Flock of Dodo's"? It is a well made (imho) film that creatively and sometimes humorously, discusses the evolution vs. intelligent design debate. The thing that I find most interesting about this film is that it shows something that I think is important. While I may think people who support intelligent design or creationism are wrong, many scientists who argue with them act like uppity jerks. Its not likely a debate one side is going to "win" but we can all at least accept that and be civil.
Now, if you want to be ready to argue for evolution, Scientific American has put together a nice little web feature that covers the topics of creationism in the classroom, a state by state breakdown of the creationism in schools controversy, 15 answers to creationist nonsense (again, could be a bit less harsh in the language here) and a discussion about how scientists ought to approach religion and its followers.
(4 votes)
Your Comments, Thoughts, Questions, Ideas
If evolution deniers mind their own business and keep their breathtaking stupidity in their church where it belongs, they can and should be ignored. If the creationist retards try to stick their god-did-it insanity and their total ignorance of science into public school biology classrooms, then they are no better than Muslim terrorists and they should be treated like terrorists. People who attack America's science education are traitors and they deserve nothing but contempt. They belong in prison for treason.
posted on Wed, 09/24/2008 - 10:09pm
I actually saw this comment in the approval queue last night, and meant to delete it. I don't think name-calling is appropriate.
posted on Thu, 09/25/2008 - 10:26am
I wanted to say, that I don't care ethier way really! All of it is theory, none of what is taught in Evolution or Creationism can be proven. I think we should offer our youth all choices because it hurts nothing by educating them in all fields. I say, You've changed my mind, I am for creationism in schools!!!
posted on Tue, 09/30/2008 - 11:50am
I posted the comment by bobxxxx because I think it perfectly illustrate's the point Joe makes in his post that says "many scientists who argue with them (creationists) act like uppity jerks. Its not likely a debate one side is going to "win" but we can all at least accept that and be civil."
posted on Thu, 09/25/2008 - 10:44am
Exactly. I mean seriously bobxxx, you expect to win anyone over with that attitude? Please watch A Flock of Dodos. While I completely am in with the evolution camp, I think that if I had to choose, I would rather spend time with folks from the creationist camp. They're generally nicer, at least.
posted on Thu, 09/25/2008 - 11:38am
Come on, Joe, you can't publish a statement like that. Now the creationists are going to take it out of context and make it part of their propaganda campaign (see #4 and #5 of the SI article "15 Answers to Creationist Nonsense" you linked to in your post). I'm sending them your way if they show up in Dinos and start quoting you.
posted on Thu, 09/25/2008 - 5:58pm
Generally they are nicer - that's been my experience, reinforced by "A Flock of Dodos". I absolutely do not agree with creationism or intelligent design, but in instances when I have discussed it with others in an instance where there is a difference of opinion, the people advocating on the side of creationism have generally (not always) been more respectful in their manner of debate. I don't at all believe that makes their argument right, but I do believe it makes me like them more as individuals.
posted on Fri, 09/26/2008 - 8:55am
Wow. That comment by bobxxx reminds us how extremist groups are greated...with hatred and intolerance of differences between one's self and others. At least attempt to understand why both sides believe so strongly in their theories. Many people have many different views...and as far as i am concern, neither evolution or creationism has been totally proven 100% yet so life and its origins are still open for many explanations.
posted on Thu, 09/25/2008 - 12:10pm
Yes, evolution HAS been proven 100%. Anyone who believes otherwise is, unfortunately, ignorant of the world around them.
posted on Tue, 09/30/2008 - 2:33am
Debating about creationism vs. evolution in real life is almost always more civil than debating about it via the internet. As for my own personal experiences, I've seen some pretty nasty personal attacks coming from both sides, with pretty equal frequency. While bobxxxxxx so graciously offered us a sample from the evolutionist side (though I must say, this is the first time I've ever heard creationists being called "traitors"), I've seen many a forum post where an evolutionist was called a "devil-worshipper," or something similar.
So here is what I, personally, would suggest for folks debating for either side: do your research! And not just for your side, either (though it certainly wouldn't hurt). Creationists: learn the basic tenets of evolution, and keep up with the current scientific research surrounding it. Depending on what you believe in, it may not actually be as far-removed from your faith as you think. And Evolutionists: CAREFULLY read not just the creation story from the Bible, but also from other faiths, such as Islam, Hinduism, or even Zoroastrianism. You might find some similarities not only among the creation stories themselves, but also with the theory of evolution. The idea behind this is that not only will it make your argument stronger, it will increase your understanding of where your opponent is coming from. Paradigms are powerful things!
Oh, and one more thing: understand that in an actual debate, personal attacks and name-calling are not only rude, they're logical fallacies. They weaken your argument considerably. Don't lose your cool!
Goodness, I meant to write a small note in passing, and instead wrote an essay! Oh well. I guess I'm more passionate about this issue than I thought.
posted on Sat, 09/27/2008 - 9:31pm
It should be pointed out that evolution and creation ideas have very different natures. Science is founded in empiricism -- studying the world around you and looking to find logical patterns that explain what we observe. Creation is based on faith -- faith by its nature cannot be proved or disproved just argued over. Or, as history shows, fight wars over, persecute some folks and so on. Science can be proved -- evolution in at least theshort term can and has been observed. Of course, if one thinks about it, the Big Bang is a creation story and where did it (and the universe) come from anyway?
posted on Fri, 10/03/2008 - 4:20pm
Yeah, Really, what was there before the big bang? To human comprehension there is a beginning and an end to everything. and matter cannot cease or begin from nothing at all right? o'course Then the question could be where did God come from?
posted on Sat, 10/04/2008 - 12:05pm
I think if you look at them a certin way they can both tie in together.
posted on Thu, 10/16/2008 - 3:43pm
There was an article in Time magazine quite a few years ago that spoke of Science as Answering the "How" of things and Religion answering the "Why" of things. Science looks at Evolution as the "how" we came to be, and Creationism looks at Why we are here - or more to the "Purpose" of Humanity. Personally I feel there could be a combination of both - we were created and we have evolved...
Sue
posted on Thu, 11/13/2008 - 6:58am
It's amazing that this is still being debated. When I was taught in high school and college, it was taught as fact that humans developed from monkey's DNA. Biology wasn't my best subject, but that's what I got out of it. A lot of religous communities don't believe in this, but evolution only discusses progression. No one has determined where it all began yet, so why can't the evolutionists and creationists live in harmony?
posted on Sun, 11/23/2008 - 8:32pm
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