"Creationist stakes $10,000 on contest between Bible and evolution"

[Skwim]

A California creationist is offering a $10,000 challenge to anyone who can prove in front of a judge that science contradicts the literal interpretation of the book of Genesis.

Dr Joseph Mastropaolo, who says he has set up the contest, the Literal Genesis Trial, in the hope of improving the quality of arguments between creationists and evolutionists, has pledged to put $10,000 of his own money into an escrow account before the debate. His competitor would be expected to do the same. The winner would take the $20,000 balance.

The argument would not be made in a formal court, but under an alternative dispute resolution model known as a minitrial. Mastropaolo said he would present the argument in favor of a literal interpretation of the creation story once he had found a willing scientist to argue that a non-literal interpretation of Genesis is more scientific.

The Literal Genesis Trial contest would be held in a courthouse in Santa Ana, California and Mastropaolo has said he will create a list of potential superior court judges to decide the case. The participants would have to agree on a judge.
source
​

The Rules:

RULES FOR THE LITERAL GENESIS TRIAL CONTEST

There will be a bailiff, court reporter, and the judge is in charge.

Please note: The mini-trial has been an established alternate form of dispute resolution in our legal system. A brief summary is given in Black’s Law Dictionary.

We will line up the potential players as they appear with their $10,000 ready to hand the judge and vowing to adhere to the rules. First come, first served.

1) The non-literal Genesis advocate puts $10,000 in escrow with the judge.
2) The literal Genesis advocate and contributing writer for the Creation Science Hall of Fame, Joseph Mastropaolo, puts $10,000 in escrow with the judge.
3) If the non-literal Genesis advocate proves that science contradicts the literal reading of Genesis, then the non-literal Genesis advocate is awarded the $20,000.
4) If the literal Genesis advocate proves that science indicates the literal reading of Genesis, then the literal Genesis advocate is awarded the $20,000.
5)Evidence must be scientific, that is, objective, valid, reliable and calibrated.
6)The preponderance of evidence prevails.
7) At the end of the trial, the judge hands the prevailing party both checks.
8) The judge is a superior court judge.
9) The venue is a courthouse.
10)Court costs will be paid by the prevailing party.
source
​

Any takers?

 

[dyanaprajna2011]

It'll be interesting to see if anything happens with this. I doubt much will come of it, though.

 

[InformedIgnorance]

I wonder if they would be applying the 'beyond a reasonable doubt' mechanism of judgement as in a normal case, or whether or not proof would conform to a 'beyond any theoretical possibility'. If the former he should just give up now and fork over the money (there is no need to get into evolutionary theory to contradict a literal account of the bible creation story, merely geological evidence should suffice, astrophysics to supplement), if the later then who would bother taking him up on his offer when everyone admits it is impossible.

 

[Father Heathen]

The creationists will always have a cheap cop-out once they get stomped and backed into a corner to save them from ponying up.

 

[Awoon]

Jews wrote Genesis, no? Then only Jews should prove it is literal.

 

[InformedIgnorance]

Anyone who accepts that the OT is Revelation and then attempts to suggest that the literal interpretation is valid should be able to prove (at least to themselves) that it is so; if they are not, then they should be able to prove why a metaphorical interpretation is (and why it should be used) or else why they do not accept that particular part of the record of Revelation and why not other parts.

 

[Reptillian]

REALLY!? This should be an easy $10,000 for any scientist. Assuming the judge isn't a biased creationist or Biblical literalist. If nobody else is interested, I'll sign up!

 

[Iti oj]

REALLY!? This should be an easy $10,000 for any scientist. Assuming the judge isn't a biased creationist or Biblical literalist. If nobody else is interested, I'll sign up!

ditto

 

[outhouse]

REALLY!? This should be an easy $10,000 for any scientist. Assuming the judge isn't a biased creationist or Biblical literalist. If nobody else is interested, I'll sign up!

takes 10 G's to pony up.


My boss pointed me too this earlier knowing my law skills and knowledge of these texts.

 

[Skwim]

I wonder if they would be applying the 'beyond a reasonable doubt' mechanism of judgement as in a normal case, or whether or not proof would conform to a 'beyond any theoretical possibility'. If the former he should just give up now and fork over the money (there is no need to get into evolutionary theory to contradict a literal account of the bible creation story, merely geological evidence should suffice, astrophysics to supplement), if the later then who would bother taking him up on his offer when everyone admits it is impossible.

Evidently there is. From the RULES link.

"Dear Theistic Evolutionists, “Allegoricalists”, and all you “Long Agers”,

This is you chance to shine. Are you willing to participate in a contest to prove your point that the Bible is wrong and that we evolved?"
​

 

[fantome profane]

Is this even legal? Can you really just "rent" a real court of law complete with judge to settle a bet?

 

[InformedIgnorance]

I was merely pointing out that it was possible to disprove a literal interpretation of the bible without going so far as to involve evolution; not that it wasnt required for the challenge, but merely that the alternative he is suggesting (the 'literal genesis' contest) is easily disproved.

 

[averageJOE]

Isn't gambling a sin?

 

[dust1n]

Jeez, I'll do it. That's like.. 2/3s a years salary there. For broke students such as myself. =]

 

[Big_TJ]

Court costs will be paid by the prevailing party.
​

Really?? So the winner has to pay for the "rented" judge, the "rented" venues and all that sorts? I guess even if you win the10G, it may just go straight back in court cost . . . . which could mean the same as going straight back to Dr Mastropaolo.

 

[StarryNightshade]

If this was televised, I would so watch it.

 

[dust1n]

If this was televised, I would so watch it.

I'll go ahead and start taking wagers.

I put everything I own or will ever own up to bet on behalf of the scientist.

 

[bobhikes]

5)Evidence must be scientific, that is, objective, valid, reliable and calibrated.

​

Any takers?

Its a fools bet. Look at all your evolution evidence, use the scientific method and grade it on objectivity, validity, and reliability not even sure if it can be calibrated.

It won't pass the test.

He doesn't have to prove his point you have to prove yours read the statement. He's going to pick apart everything you say and not mention 1 think about creationism.

A smart scientist would never take the bet plus its not worth the money should be at least 6 figures to your 5 figures.

 

[McBell]

A California creationist is offering a $10,000 challenge to anyone who can prove in front of a judge that science contradicts the literal interpretation of the book of Genesis.

Dr Joseph Mastropaolo, who says he has set up the contest, the Literal Genesis Trial, in the hope of improving the quality of arguments between creationists and evolutionists, has pledged to put $10,000 of his own money into an escrow account before the debate. His competitor would be expected to do the same. The winner would take the $20,000 balance.

The argument would not be made in a formal court, but under an alternative dispute resolution model known as a minitrial. Mastropaolo said he would present the argument in favor of a literal interpretation of the creation story once he had found a willing scientist to argue that a non-literal interpretation of Genesis is more scientific.

The Literal Genesis Trial contest would be held in a courthouse in Santa Ana, California and Mastropaolo has said he will create a list of potential superior court judges to decide the case. The participants would have to agree on a judge.
source
​

The Rules:

RULES FOR THE LITERAL GENESIS TRIAL CONTEST

There will be a bailiff, court reporter, and the judge is in charge.

Please note: The mini-trial has been an established alternate form of dispute resolution in our legal system. A brief summary is given in Black’s Law Dictionary.

We will line up the potential players as they appear with their $10,000 ready to hand the judge and vowing to adhere to the rules. First come, first served.

1) The non-literal Genesis advocate puts $10,000 in escrow with the judge.
2) The literal Genesis advocate and contributing writer for the Creation Science Hall of Fame, Joseph Mastropaolo, puts $10,000 in escrow with the judge.
3) If the non-literal Genesis advocate proves that science contradicts the literal reading of Genesis, then the non-literal Genesis advocate is awarded the $20,000.
4) If the literal Genesis advocate proves that science indicates the literal reading of Genesis, then the literal Genesis advocate is awarded the $20,000.
5)Evidence must be scientific, that is, objective, valid, reliable and calibrated.
6)The preponderance of evidence prevails.
7) At the end of the trial, the judge hands the prevailing party both checks.
8) The judge is a superior court judge.
9) The venue is a courthouse.
10)Court costs will be paid by the prevailing party.
source
​

Any takers?

What I find interesting is how the challenge is so broadly worded that I am not even sure what it is exactly that is to be proven

 

[camanintx]

Anyone want to spot me $10,000? I guarantee a 50% ROI.