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What convinced you that Evolution is the truth?

Dan From Smithville

Monsters! Monsters from the id! Forbidden Planet
Staff member
Premium Member
Well there is an instant fail on your part. You do not go to the dictionary for complex concepts.

You only confirmed your own ignorance since that leaves out far too much. Once again, are you willing to learn?
I like how it is assumed that one can learn science in a couple of posts when it took me years of study to learn what I have.

The implication is that if a 4 year degree is not supplied in a couple of posts than everything that is said in defense of science can be be dismissed as nonsense and belief to be replaced with a particular belief by default.
 
Science according to the dictionary is:
the systematic study of the structure and behavior of the physical and natural world through observation, experimentation, and the testing of theories against the evidence obtained.
So educate me on evolution 101 please, I am willing to listen
Evidence: the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.
Proposition: a statement or assertion that expresses a judgment or opinion
Belief:
an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists

I pulled up these definitions here. Are they correct according to your understanding?
 

Dan From Smithville

Monsters! Monsters from the id! Forbidden Planet
Staff member
Premium Member
Well there is an instant fail on your part. You do not go to the dictionary for complex concepts.

You only confirmed your own ignorance since that leaves out far too much. Once again, are you willing to learn?
It doesn't inspire me when a person is so adamant and confident in their position rejecting science and then have to start citing dictionary definitions of the basics as if making some valid point of significance. I expect those joining scientific discussions to have some basic knowledge of science. I don't think that is an unreasonable expectation. It would be like me joining a discussion of Belarussian history with the attitude that I know something and the facts that I do not.
 

Subduction Zone

Veteran Member
Evidence: the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid.
Proposition: a statement or assertion that expresses a judgment or opinion
Belief:
an acceptance that a statement is true or that something exists

I pulled up these definitions here. Are they correct according to your understanding?
Nope, they are still wrong. Actually scientific evidence is easy to define.

Scientific evidence consists of observations that support or oppose a scientific theory or hypothesis.

Seems pretty simple right? But with that definition, which is the definition used for all of the sciences, there does not appear to be any evidence that supports creationism or the flood myth.
 

Subduction Zone

Veteran Member
I like how it is assumed that one can learn science in a couple of posts when it took me years of study to learn what I have.

The implication is that if a 4 year degree is not supplied in a couple of posts than everything that is said in defense of science can be be dismissed as nonsense and belief to be replaced with a particular belief by default.
But one can hopefully get across the basics of how to see if an idea is scientific or not and whether it is supported, even if one cannot fully understand the science behind it.
 

Dan From Smithville

Monsters! Monsters from the id! Forbidden Planet
Staff member
Premium Member
But one can hopefully get across the basics of how to see if an idea is scientific or not and whether it is supported, even if one cannot fully understand the science behind it.
I would hope but experience tells me that hope is often misplaced.

If I don't understand the subject at hand, all I can do initially if interested is review the logic used to arrive at conclusions or recognize claims that are empty. I might learn something about the subject to be better involved in the discussion and the debate. I generally don't see that. For the most part what I have seen is that information is brought in from some questionable source that seems to be technical to the uninitiated, but is bunkum or has been previously refuted.

I've had some geology for instance, but I don't pretend to know as much as you do on the subject. I don't see that recognition of limitations for many that don't have the technical understanding that doesn't even require a degree to know.
 

Dan From Smithville

Monsters! Monsters from the id! Forbidden Planet
Staff member
Premium Member
But one can hopefully get across the basics of how to see if an idea is scientific or not and whether it is supported, even if one cannot fully understand the science behind it.
It does put a lot of burden on the those with the technical knowledge and understanding to try and get their point across. Another fact that I think distracts from the authority that opposing views to science seem to cultivate without basis.
 

Dan From Smithville

Monsters! Monsters from the id! Forbidden Planet
Staff member
Premium Member
You are correct, I can go sit in a car garage the rest of my life and that will never make me a car!
All that you have said here is only a claim of Christianity. I have no way to know if your claims are true. That another Christian accepts science may be evidence that their opinion is not consistent with a certain interpretation, but it is not evidence that they are not Christian. I'm pretty sure that is a prevailing belief here among some Christians, but it is not a fact.
 

Subduction Zone

Veteran Member
It does put a lot of burden on the those with the technical knowledge and understanding to try and get their point across. Another fact that I think distracts from the authority that opposing views to science seem to cultivate without basis.
Yes, creationists will still automatically reject quite a bit of evidence unjustly. I try to point out that they only need to know two things to see if it is scientific evidence or not. Does the observation support the claim. And that one should almost always ben an automatic yes. Second, and I admit that this may take some work on their part, is the idea in the form of a testable theory or hypothesis. If the answer is yes to both even if they do not like it, it is evidence for an idea.

By the way, it was the evidence that eventually convinced me that I was wrong when I used to argue about AGW. I could see the flaws in the sources that I used and how their evidence was usually only for local areas. As you know, there can be local cooling as weather patterns change in AGW. The sources that were used against me tended to be global sources, which in hindsight only made sense.
 

Dan From Smithville

Monsters! Monsters from the id! Forbidden Planet
Staff member
Premium Member
You are correct, I can go sit in a car garage the rest of my life and that will never make me a car!
It is interesting to note that there is no reasonable, rational effort that would get you to transform into a car ever. That isn't true of Christianity.
 
It doesn't inspire me when a person is so adamant and confident in their position rejecting science and then have to start citing dictionary definitions of the basics as if making some valid point of significance. I expect those joining scientific discussions to have some basic knowledge of science. I don't think that is an unreasonable expectation. It would be like me joining a discussion of Belarussian history with the attitude that I know something and the facts that I do not.
So guys, Here we are, I believe at an im-passe! no answer I give, is satisfying to you, and I would say the same about your arguments!

Just to make sure there are no claims of not knowing! on your part when you actually stand before my figment of imagination.....I part with one more mythical, written only by man, fable from the bible

Romans 1:18-22
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress (meaning they Consciously, Intentionally Dismiss) the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

This was written 2,000 years ago. If this does not apply to many many people in this day and time I don't know what does.

I really do pray for you guys, that you will just stop for a moment and really ask God to reveal himself. He already is doing that, but it takes a humble heart and a willingness to yes............I Believe!

Otherwise according to the Word of God, (NOT MINE) you will be without excuse for rejecting him!
 

Dan From Smithville

Monsters! Monsters from the id! Forbidden Planet
Staff member
Premium Member
So guys, Here we are, I believe at an im-passe! no answer I give, is satisfying to you, and I would say the same about your arguments!

Just to make sure there are no claims of not knowing! on your part when you actually stand before my figment of imagination.....I part with one more mythical, written only by man, fable from the bible

Romans 1:18-22
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress (meaning they Consciously, Intentionally Dismiss) the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

This was written 2,000 years ago. If this does not apply to many many people in this day and time I don't know what does.

I really do pray for you guys, that you will just stop for a moment and really ask God to reveal himself. He already is doing that, but it takes a humble heart and a willingness to yes............I Believe!

Otherwise according to the Word of God, (NOT MINE) you will be without excuse for rejecting him!
I have different interpretations of that. But I accept your resignation from the field.

I pray for you too.
 

Dan From Smithville

Monsters! Monsters from the id! Forbidden Planet
Staff member
Premium Member
So guys, Here we are, I believe at an im-passe! no answer I give, is satisfying to you, and I would say the same about your arguments!

Just to make sure there are no claims of not knowing! on your part when you actually stand before my figment of imagination.....I part with one more mythical, written only by man, fable from the bible

Romans 1:18-22
The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress (meaning they Consciously, Intentionally Dismiss) the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools

This was written 2,000 years ago. If this does not apply to many many people in this day and time I don't know what does.

I really do pray for you guys, that you will just stop for a moment and really ask God to reveal himself. He already is doing that, but it takes a humble heart and a willingness to yes............I Believe!

Otherwise according to the Word of God, (NOT MINE) you will be without excuse for rejecting him!
So rejecting what you have said regarding science is the same as rejecting God? Really. Wow!

I had no idea. I don't really believe that. I hope you don't. But who, besides God in my view, can know.
 

TLK Valentine

Read the books that others would burn.
Jesus did say to follow him. When I sang in church I had no idea what was what.

Sounds like you learned obedience before you learned understanding... it never goes away, does it?


For instance, we sang beautiful music (I was a paid musician for a big church) that would quote scripture. I had no real idea what it was talking about, but I loved the music. I learned more later. Also about words such as hell...what it really meant. Just sayin' as the expression goes.

Just sayin' what? Make a point...
 

Dan From Smithville

Monsters! Monsters from the id! Forbidden Planet
Staff member
Premium Member
Yes, creationists will still automatically reject quite a bit of evidence unjustly. I try to point out that they only need to know two things to see if it is scientific evidence or not. Does the observation support the claim. And that one should almost always ben an automatic yes. Second, and I admit that this may take some work on their part, is the idea in the form of a testable theory or hypothesis. If the answer is yes to both even if they do not like it, it is evidence for an idea.
That seems like a good set of criteria to clear the fog. Of course, that assumes one is dealing with a person grounded in rational thinking I would say.
By the way, it was the evidence that eventually convinced me that I was wrong when I used to argue about AGW. I could see the flaws in the sources that I used and how their evidence was usually only for local areas. As you know, there can be local cooling as weather patterns change in AGW. The sources that were used against me tended to be global sources, which in hindsight only made sense.
I've changed my mind on issues based on the evidence. It seems a reasonable way to operate in the world. I realize that I still believe things on faith, but I don't make subliminal threats as parting shots or claim that rejection of my ideas is a rejection of God.
 
So rejecting what you have said regarding science is the same as rejecting God? Really. Wow!

I had no idea. I don't really believe that. I hope you don't. But who, besides God in my view, can know.
I'll try this one more time....(maybe). Rejecting God's word which is what defines, who he is, who we are and why we need a Savior is Rejecting God. If you have time, read the whole chapter, just the 1st chapter of Romans, and you see there is quite a bit more than just saying God exists......When one truly comes to that, it is literally just the first step to believing , as defined by God,.......not me, not you, not anyone else......but God!
 
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Dan From Smithville

Monsters! Monsters from the id! Forbidden Planet
Staff member
Premium Member
I'll try this one more time....(maybe). Rejecting God's word which is what defines, who he is, who we are and why we need a Savior. If you have time, read the whole chapter, just the 1st chapter, and you see there is quite a bit more than just saying God exists......When one truly comes to that, it is literally just the first step to believing , as defined by God,.......not me, not you, not anyone else......but God!
I get it. You have an interpretation that everything in the Bible is a true and accurate recounting of events that all happened and that anyone that rejects that interpretation or even a part of it is rejecting you and by default rejecting God.

I've read the entire Bible more than once. I am a Christian. That I do not agree with your interpretations and views doesn't make that less so or false. You have no input in the validity of my faith at all. And not just as far as I am concerned, but much further.

I'll continue to keep you in my prayers.
 

YoursTrue

Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
Sounds like you learned obedience before you learned understanding... it never goes away, does it?

Just sayin' what? Make a point...
I would read the Bible sometimes before I became a Christian but did not understand it at all. Later, though, as I kept reading the Bible, I realize that Jesus spoke of sheep and goats. He spoke of a good shepherd. I began to change my thinking and my life.
John 10:14 "I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, 15just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd."
Hope that helps to understand.
 

YoursTrue

Faith-confidence in what we hope for (Hebrews 11)
I'll try this one more time....(maybe). Rejecting God's word which is what defines, who he is, who we are and why we need a Savior is Rejecting God. If you have time, read the whole chapter, just the 1st chapter of Romans, and you see there is quite a bit more than just saying God exists......When one truly comes to that, it is literally just the first step to believing , as defined by God,.......not me, not you, not anyone else......but God!
I remember when I was there. Being in this world, naturally there are signs and teachings everywhere about religion and beliefs, true or not. I was in church many times, mostly for professional reasons as a musician. Yes, I loved the music and enjoyed both the rehearsals with a wonderful choir and organist and conductor. All of us were professionals. In other words, got paid for our time and expertise. One of the songs that I remember now was "Dies Irae" by Verdi. A fabulous piece. God's Day of Wrath. But it kind of scared me, not knowing what it meant but it sounded threatening...no one explained anything to me until later.
 
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