Evolutionists help please?

Question

I'm an atheist in a dialogue with a Christian friend who does not accept evolution. This friend recently gave me a little book about evolution vs. creation - you know the type, with all the same arguments you have heard before. I'm reading that and preparing to talk to him about it.

Anyway, my reaction to theists handing out tracts and other literature is always to return the favor. Seems to me to be a positive way to respond to the situation. I was thinking about letting him read my copy of The Selfish Gene, but I think that may be a little too complicated for this particular person.

So I was wondering if there is any book you know of that you would recommend (other than a text book, of course) that deals with not just evolution, but more specifically evolution vs. creation? Kinda like Talk Origins Creationist Claim index in book form? Thanks!

Thanks, Slicky. I can always use multiple copies of the arguments I mentioned having read and dealt with multiple times. Got an original thought in those brain cells by chance?

Answer 1

"Why Darwin Matters: The Case Against Intelligent Design" by Michael Shermer is the best one I've seen yet. It will more than likely contain everything you need.

Michael Shermer, btw, if you're unfamiliar with who I'm talking about, is the founder of the Skeptics Society, who publishes Skeptic Magazine.

Answer 2

Well, this may sound odd, but I always believe people should take baby steps in everything they try to undersstand. Or try to begin to understand.

So if it wouldn't insult him too much, i'd advice:

-Darwin and Evolution for Kids: His Life and Ideas, by Kristan Lawson

I actually read a Dutch transaltion of it 2 years back and highly enjoyed it. Even if it is specifically written for kids of around 10 to 12 years old. The book mainly covers Evolutionism, but doesn't beat around the bush about creationism in saying and explaining why only "misinformed nonscientists … insist that evolution does not exist at all"

Anyway, it depends on who it is and how well you know him. A children's book is always a nice gift anyway :)

Answer 3

I found the Ken Miller talk about evolution vs. creationism in the court room is quite eye-opening - he thoroughly goes through everything and all the ridiculous ID arguments . You have to get them to sit down for 40-50 minutes though, that's the only problem.

Skip the Q&A at the end: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVRsWAjvQSg

Answer 4

Anything by Stephen Jay Gould is good.
"The Beak of the Finch" was great but I thinik it only dealt with microevolution so it might be a hard sell.

Answer 5

You're wasting your time. Creationists do not believe in God because they believe scientific evidence points in favor of Creation. They believe in Creation because they believe in the Creator. There is no possible scientific evidence you can show them that will change their minds, because their minds were not made up in the first place through scientific evidence.

Answer 6

Don't know about "simple" evolutionary biology books, but here's an excellent website that has many articles the average person can understand (plus a few that are more technical).

http://evolution.berkeley.edu/

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Answer 7

Just curious. Did you find any validity in the counter arguments against evolution ?

Answer 8

Give them Charles Darwin's Origins of Species book. Just be sure to rip out the pages where he says that black people are inferior to white people. BE SURE TO DO THAT!

Answer 9

A short walk through a natural history museum.

Answer 10

For some plain talk that anyone can understand, visit godisimaginary.com or thegodpart.com/premise for helpful information to suit your needs. Peace