To religious right creationists; is there anything that would convince you re evolution?

Question

Creationists frequently criticize evolution because "there's not any evidence to support it". I disagree and think there is tons of evidence but that issue aside, what evidence WOULD convince you? If archaeologists suddenly found fossils representing all of the intermediary stages in evolution would that convince you? Something else maybe? Or is there no factual evidence that could pry you from your belief in creationism?

To Sane; You avoided my question. Why?

Ruth; The laws of thermodynamics and the concept of entropy do not contradict evolutionary science. This is a common misconception promulgated by the creationists and the ID crowd.

To Ruth again; No need to define entropy for me, I am a Ph.D. research scientist in molecular biology. Thanks anyway. One of the characteristics of life is the ability to (temporarily) escape the effects of entropy in being able to organize the molecules necessary for life. Look up homeostasis sometime...

To crusader and gradjasen; thanks for the thoughtful answers...

To Ruth a third time; So you doubt me? Why do I even bother with you? As to why I care, all research scientists are by nature truth seekers. Everyone SHOULD care about the truth but research scientists are drawn to their work principally by this desire.

Answer 1

I'm a creationist (though not certainly as far right as the religious right). But I do agree there is some evidence toward evolution. The problem is is that it isn't fully beyond a reasonable doubt. Admittedly the same could be said about creationism; there isn't complete and unarguable evidence for it either.

In essence, anything found already can be explained with both theories. What is explained as a Cro-Magnon man or Neanderthal in evolution could be explained as a son of a fallen angel called a Nephilim in the Bible. In that story some of the angels found the daughters of men attractive and came down and slept with them. They were banished from heaven for it, but their children were rather large and violent individuals (which could be explained by the somewhat smaller brain cavities in the skeletons) and they had to be destroyed in the flood of Noah's day. Evolution says that each species showed up at different times and so this proves they evolved; and yet the Bible provides an account in which God created the animals and plants and so on. Interestingly enough, God is said to have created them in the same order that evolution claims they showed up in.

If archaeologists found the intermediary stages, I would point out that it still wouldn't be conclusive. Evolution scientists would point out that it fits the mold, creationists would point out that it is still explainable that God made them too.

Probably the only thing that could convince everyone (and I doubt even then it would convince absolutely everyone) is if we found a way to go back in time to actually see it happen. Or if Jesus comes back, which would suggest to me (I don't know about everyone else), that God does in fact exist and therefore created all things.

Which probably means evolution can never be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Time travel seems like it is probably impossible; or dangerous to go back to that time out of fear we may affect something that ends with life never being born. Something stupid like you stick your hand in the slime and push some of the pieces of first life away from the other pieces and they never connect. If Jesus never comes back (or Mohammed, to my understanding he and a few other prophets may come back in Islamic faith; or any faith having someone come back really) then we could know. But then many would still believe he's still coming, just later in the future. There won't really ever be a time we quit believing he may come back. But if he does, then we know evolution didn't happen.

Answer 2

I doubt I would qualify as a "religious right creationist," and I'm pretty sure they won't have me, because I represent criminals and conduct divorces for a living (joke based on your stereotypes, btw).

I am a creationist, however. I believe that children are being indoctrinated by an unproveable theory, and I oppose that.

I have no problem with teaching evolution at the high school level. But I see evolution buried in primary readers, and if evolution is such a proven theory, why does it have to be so subtly introduced?

Nothing will convince me to believe in evolution, short of seeing the world becoming a BETTER place. Entropy rules, my friend, and it is a counter-scientific theory for evolution. In fact, I wonder if the Laws of Thermodynamics are still being taught. Maybe you should inquire about that.

EDIT: Okay, because your liberal biology professor TOLD you that. Entropy is the natural state of decay. Order to disorder. Evolution is backwards.

EDIT AGAIN: If you are truly a molecular researcher, why do you even care about this? I have a family member doing pre-natal surgery on the Discovery channel, and she is a Creationist. Why do you care? Evolution is not necessary to DO science.

Answer 3

The "evidence" supporting evolution is all circumstantial and would not stand up in a court of law (of course, neither would evidence in support of God's existence). To get me to believe it, I would need to see a known species naturally produce and entirely new animal. For example, a dog's offspring actual mutate into a reptile or bird or even a larger mammal like a pack animal. Obviously that can't be accomplished in a human lifetime according to evolutionary science.

Answer 4

I think both sides have to get a baseline before any meaningful debate can happen. First and foremost, we need to know "how long is God's day". Who can really say that some "god" didn't create everything, then sit back to see what would happen. I feel that we are like a science fair ant colony project and if the makers gets tired of his pets he or she will trash us.

Answer 5

Evolution is a fact. The fossil record is incomplete because bones rarely survive. It doesn't mean the whole picture isn't viewable because all the dots haven't been connected yet.

Evolution does not address the speculation of creation, nor should it. That is not science.

For the naysayers;

http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/faq-misconceptions.html

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Answer 6

What is YOUR evidence that a cell suddenly appeared out of nowhere and evolved into everything you see???? The evidence you seek for us does not exist becasue the theory is not plausable in the least.

Answer 7

What's laughably sad is creationists claim that evolution is lacking in facts and yet they accept as fact a 4,000 y.o. fairy tale with mush less to back it up.

Answer 8

It's impossible to convince the so called 'religious' right of anything. Proof staring them in the face and they don't get it.

Answer 9

If its true, then we and all other creatures must be continuing to evolve. When I see a new super human I will believe you.