From: Dawsonzhu@aol.com
Date: Mon Oct 06 2003 - 13:25:16 EDT
Hi Glenn,
> GRM: The fear is that if one accepts evolution you have to accept that the
> Bible is false! That last statement will get the hackles of the
> old-earthers up! But before the complaints and defenses come in, hear me out. YEC
> leaders constantly tell these people that if evolution is true, then the Bible is
> false. They are programmed to follow that line of reasoning and thus when
> faced with obvious data that doesn't fit or flatly contradicts their viewpoint,
> they look into the precipice and see atheism. And they recoil. That
> programming is why I have struggled with these issues for years.
>
WD: Perhaps added to that is a sort of practical point. Many of the lay
people
who listen to YEC are trusting that they are getting reliable information.
Accountants, CEOs, and regular hard working folk simply don't have lots
of free time to devote to thinking deeply on scientific matters like this
and want someone to explain it to them in a way that they can cope with
it. We all trust that the stuff we read in books is true. Lay people are
likely to read a book or two on the subject, but one cannot expect them
to have a whole library-sized shelf devoted to the matter. So when they are
confronted with the cacophony of issues around evolution, they regrettably
first fall for the quagmire of YEC interpretations rather than something
that could begin to help them cope in a less defensive way.
But as you say, when YEC folk are faced with contrary evidence, I expect
they would recoil if they are taught that these are the ONLY options
available. We just have to keep trying to persuade people that other
options actually are possible. But scientist are very cautious folk about
true and false issues, politicians and some religious leaders are not.
By Grace alone we proceed,
Wayne
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