From: Jay Willingham (jaywillingham@cfl.rr.com)
Date: Sat Sep 28 2002 - 12:44:18 EDT
Your position appears to be that AiG and ICR are not parts of the scientific
community. I disagree.
Referring to their theories as snake oil further supports my conclusion that
both sides need to be less dismissive of the other. Attacks of an ad
hominum nature denote unavailability of a satisfactory dispassionate
response to their theories.
The image of being chopped to pieces in debate on these issues subsumes a
prejudiced jury. Further, Christ's imprimatur regarding the millstone and
the deep blue sea should give pause to anyone who claims they are Christian
yet viciously lashes out at a young believer so that he stumbles.
Debates before disinterested juries on the subject by scientists learned on
both subjects have produced results indicating both sides can set forth
credible arguments for their positions.
To me, the essence of science is to question conventional dogma. From such
debate progress is made and entrenched hypothesis masquerading as theory is
oft demoted to where it belongs.
Jay Willingham, Esquire
Central Florida
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Burgeson" <hoss_radbourne@hotmail.com>
To: <jaywillingham@cfl.rr.com>; <asa@calvin.edu>
Sent: Saturday, September 28, 2002 12:09 PM
Subject: Re: AiG bites the dust
Jay writes, in part: "On one side there is a lack of skepticism about
radioisotope and stratigraphic dating techniques as well as fossil record
interpretation. On the other side there is a similar dismissive attitude
about the same hypotheses and a lack of skepticism about certain biblical
interpretations. The shrill voices on both sides ... ."
>From the above, I perceive that you see about the same amount of credibility
from ICR and AIG as you do from the scientific community.
All I can recommend to you if you really believe this is to go to AIG and
ICR with the hard questions. Ask them for their explanations of the
recognized scientific data, or if they reject that data, on what basis they
do so.
I went deep into this in the late 80s -- even attended a week-long seminar
by ICR. I gave them every benefit of the doubt. I entertained Gish, Ham and
Morris at lunch and quizzed them. I like them. But they sell snake oil. They
do great harm to the cause of Christ whenever some young person, steeped in
their theology (derived from the SDA) and mesmerized by their pseudoscience
finds his way into any one of the many internet chat groups (I help run one
on Compuserve) and gets literally chopped to pieces. Or worse -- goes to
college and finds out his "science" is a joke. At that point, as friend
Glenn has documemented, he tosses Christianity over the side.
Burgy
www.burgy.50megs.com
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