Creation vs Evolution?

Question

why does no one have a sensible debate on this matter I have been reading up on scientific evidence for the creation theory and it seems plausible explanation. All those who are about to say its rubbish and evolution is the definitive answer IT IS A THEORY YES A THEORY ITS NOT CALLED THE LAW OF EVOLUTION BUT THE THEORY OF EVOLUTION. sorry for rant but that does bug me

This is not sensible debate on the matter. What about a counter to some of the scientific evidence that apparently proves creation

This is not sensible debate on the matter. What about a counter to some of the scientific evidence that apparently proves creation

btw I was reading creationscience.co.uk/com was interested in what they had to say perhaps some of you would cast your eyes over it. I wanted sensible debate on these matters.

Couple of points I have heard 1 sediment levels in seas too low for earth to be billions of years old.
lot of earths features could be explained by global flood.
ps I dont 100% believe in either hence the want for sensible discussion I am willing to listen to all sides of the debate. Looks like the fans of creation are not conceeding defeat

Answer 1

There is no creation theory.

For a claim to be a valid scientific theory, it has to meet certain requirements:

1) It's assumptions have to be spelled out. Creationism makes several conjectures that it states as facts. It doesn't state what, if any, scientific basis on which the claims are based. Evolution, on the other hand, lists the assumptions on which the theory is based. Such assumptions include some of the interpretations of geologic data that indicate a certain ranges of time.

2) It has its terms defined. Creationism has some vague terms like "design" that are not really defined. It is a very subjective term. Evolution, however, does define its terms well. For example, it defines a group as a species if they are able to have viable offspring with each other. That, in turn, is used in the differentiation between macro and microevolution.

3) It is falsifiable. If you were asked to think of some evidence which would show Creationism to be false, you can't. It can always be rationalized, no matter how much evidence you bring to bear. It makes claims you cannot test. Evolution, however, has claims that are directly testable. For example, it claimed that monkeys and humans have common ancestry. That implies that our genetic make-up should be similar. If it weren't, that would be evidence against that claim of evolution. It turns out that this prediction is true, because we have, since, found out that human genes and monkey genes are extremely similar.

BTW, a law is just a theory with formulas. Get your terms straight.

Answer 2

There is not serious debate on this (evolution vs. creationism) matter because there is nothing serious to debate.

1) In terms of science, evidence is king. With that, evolution has reams and reams of it, creation has none.

2) Science deals with that which can be falsified. Creation cannot be falsified, since it's primarily founded on an assumption that cannot be verified through scientific means (the existence of God).

3) I'm just guessing, since you didn't give any sources for your information, but most of the evidence that creationists use to support creationism is evidence that also supports evolution. In fact, most of creationists don't have any original research. They use ideas and presuppositions to support their claims, which, as appealing as they may be, they are not evidence.

In fact, the best that most creationists do is try to poke holes in evolution arguments. Most of the time, it is simply because they don't understand evolution. There is no evidence. Remeber, proving someone else's theory wrong does not necessarily make your theory correct.

At any rate, it would be nice to see this "scientific" evidence you say you've been reading up about...

4) Anyone that tells anybody that evolution has solved the problem of origins is absolutely wrong. There are a number of hypotheses that have been proposed, and most are being investigated right now, and there may not ever be a good answer. Of course, probably the closest we will ever come is to say that "X could possibly have occurred because we can create it in a lab"...not very satisfying for some, but it opens the door for further explanations.

5) The process of evolution is a fact, not a law. It is observable, demonstrable, and happens in any population of organisms that have DNA as their genetic material and can reproduce.

The theory of evolution is a theory--a scientific theory, meaning it is a series of testable hypotheses that converge to explain a larger, overarching idea. In other words, the theory of evolution explains how evolution occurs.

I'm sorry if it bugs you that evolution is a fact, but that's the way it is. It bugs me that some people can't take their religious blinders off long enough to examine their beliefs and the world around them, but it's something I have to live with.

Answer 3

I should make a macro or something for whenever I see the words "it's just a theory" to automatically write up a reply from this.

You are confusing the layman term theory and the scientific theory.

To the layman, theory means a guess, a hunch. To the scientist a theory is a hypothesis that has lots of supporting evidence and has survived multiple attempts from multiple persons at being disproven. For example, the theory that the entire world was made by a flying spaghetti monster qualifies as a theory to the lay man but not to the scientist.

This topic gets it's own webpage:

http://www.notjustatheory.com/

Answer 4

Take some time to look up the scientific definition of the word 'theory'. In science words have very definite meaning, often importantly different from their everyday use.

What is the difference between stress and strain? To an engineer there is a huge difference.

If you thin that theories are just vague ideas then think on this:

Einstein's THEORY of relativity replaced Newton's LAWS of motion.

They do this because they are more accurate. For example, using Newton's laws the GPS satellite system for all the car navigation systems would not work. It needs to use Einstein's theory to be accurate enough.


There is no sensible debate because one side has all the evidence and the other side has doctrine, dogma and half truths (AKA lies).

This is like asking for a sensible debate on whether the Earth is flat or (roughly) spherical. You just can not do it because one side has nothing to support their position except their desire for it to be true.

Edit:
What scientific evidence that supports creationism? When you look at it falls into two categories:

Before you post it here you might want to check it against the list of debunked creationist 'evidence' on talkorigins.com

http://www.talkorigins.org/indexcc/list.html

There are thousands of scientists that use the Theory of Evolution every day to make predictions, perform tests on the theory, develop new drugs and treatments based on the theory.

Do you really think they would bother if it was all wrong? If it was so flawed do you not think they would have found that out by now?

I'm sorry if you do not like the thought or concept of evolution, but it is reality. If I do not like gravitational theory that does not allow me to ignore it. If I deny it and jump of a building I do not fly. Gravity take hold of me whether I believe it or not and I fall.

Answer 5

Try some reading Richard Dawkins writes some good books on this and gives other authors to read. Try the Blind Watchmaker and his latest The God Delusion.
However creation is a story made up by some desert tribe leader several thousands years ago. Evolution is a process by which different species arise over time for which there is masses of evidence and most universities in the world have departments working on producing more evidence every week.
Now which would you believe?

Answer 6

Theory is a scientific term. It doesn't mean 'dreamt up one day and put in a book' that's religion's job. There's Germ Theory, The Theory of gravity, Theory of general relativity all these theories can be disproved by a superior theory but, just like the theory of evolution none of these have been. A theory has to be tested, shown to prove its self, and able to make predictions correctly. Creation makes something out of nothing. It makes a huge leap from nothing to everything. Evolution through natural selection gradually over billions of years adapts and forms slowly to 'create' more and more complicated structures. I can't believe that in the year 2007 I'm arguing this completely obvious FACT!

Answer 7

I would like a debate but I think we need to separate the science questions from the religious ones. Any scientific theory is just that. It is provisional and can never be proved. It may be adjusted or amended in the face of new evidence.

Answer 8

Creation is the way the LORD God tells us the world, as we know it, came into existence. God tells us the broad outlines not the method - why should He?

Proof of creation is all around you if you care to look. The wonders of nature, the brilliance of the sun on grass, flowers, insects animals and the wonder of the view of a sunlit bay with sand and sea.

These things cannot have come about by some evolutionary means or happy chance. However it happened God did it.

Have faith and be happy.

Answer 9

The Law of Evolution is that allele frequencies in a population change over time. That is an observed, verifiable fact.

The THEORY of Evolution is the scientific explanation for WHY and HOW that observation happens. That's what scientific theories are.

The Theory of Biological Evolution through Natural Selection fits all of the evidence we have gathered from the fields of geology, paleontology, comparative anatomy, genetics, physics, biogeography and every other field of scientific endeavour.

The "Theory" of Special Creation does not fit any of these scientific observations, and thus is rejected as a workable hypothesis for explaining the HOW and WHY of why we see changes in allele proportions in a population over time.

I'm terribly sorry that reality bugs you, but they have pills for that.

UPDATE:

You ask for a counter to some of the evidence that allegedly supports Creationism. However I have not seen any evidence that actually supports Creationism. Perhaps if you provide some, we can discuss it.

Answer 10

The evidence for evolution is and has been interpreted from a Philosophical and ideological Bias, The answers given by adherents to Evolution here in R&S is proof of the bias and agenda, Atheism has to have an alternate explanation—other than a Creator—for how the universe and life came into existence.
Darwin once identified himself as a Christian but as a result of some tragedies that took place in his life, he later renounced the Christian faith and the existence of God. Evolution was invented by an atheist.
What is sad is that Christians are falling into this Trap and trying to fit evolution into the Bible (Theistic Evolution) thinking they can make it fit.
Lee Stroble in his video listed below “ The Case for the Creator” stated (5 min. 28 sec into the video) The Case for a Creator
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajqH4y8G0MI


That “There is no way you can Harmonize Neo Darwinism with Christianity, I could never understand Christians who would say “ Well I believe in God yet I believe in Evolution as well” You see Darwin’s idea about the development of life led to his theory that modern science now generally defines as an undirected process completely devoid of any purpose or plan,”. Now how could God direct an undirected process? How could God have purpose in a plan behind a system that has no plan and no purpose? It just does not make sense.
It didn’t make sense to me in 1966 and it doesn’t make sense to me now.
The Apostle Paul wrote to His Son Timothy stating that “ in 2 Timothy 4:3-4 “For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, [because] they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn [their] ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.”

Those Christians who believe in evolution have no idea how that effects their theology.
What is theistic evolution?
http://www.gotquestions.org/theistic-evolution.html

God and Evolution: The Problem with Theistic Evolution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9WHB_kMasMs

Biologist Exposes Lie of "Overwhelming Evidence for Evolution"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LTaPIK7maY


Eternity is a Long Time to be wrong about this