Well this is what I still don't understand. How can they go around spouting supposed inconsistencies in things like geology, cosmology, evolutionary biology and so on, and yet not provide a shred of evidence to back up their position?
I'm pretty new to the debating of creationists and I know its a futile process, but how can you debate someone about science when they provide no evidence? Yet they can readily refute science that has been shown to work over and over and over again. It boggles my mind!
The most important thing you can learn about creationists (aside from the fact that they only "evidence" they need is their interpretation of the bible) is that it's not about science or scientific evidence. It's about trying to cast doubt on the scientific evidence that they don't like. They set up the invalid dichotomy of either evolution or creationism, then try to show that since evolution doesn't work, this is proof of creationism.
They must adopt this tactic for the simple reason that they don't really understand science, the scientific method, or scientific evidence. There are two main consequences of this fact. One, they don't understand that none of their criticisms are valid. Two, they would be completely unable to build a truly scientific case in support of creationism, even if there were any evidence in support of it.
Unfortunately, most of their audience is equally ignorant about science, so their rhetoric sounds convincing, if not to establish the validity of creationism, at least to cast doubt on the scientific evidence supporting evolution.
If you really want to see a creationist squirm, ask them for evidence in support of creationism. When they start spouting their usual blend of PRATTS against evolution, point out that none of that is proof of creationism and insist for positive proof for creationism. Hopefully, when they turn up empty, this will make an impression on any audience.
Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions. -- Thomas Jefferson
We see monsters where science shows us windmills. -- Phat
It has always struck me as odd that fundies devote so much time and effort into trying to find a naturalistic explanation for their mythical flood, while looking for magical explanations for things that actually happened. -- Dr. Adequate
...creationists have a great way to detect fraud and it doesn't take 8 or 40 years or even a scientific degree to spot the fraud--'if it disagrees with the bible then it is wrong'.... -- archaeologist
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