From: John W Burgeson (jwburgeson@juno.com)
Date: Tue Oct 07 2003 - 12:14:42 EDT
On 10/4, Howard posted, in part: "Twenty years ago I was actively engaged
in examining typical creation-science arguments for a recent creation.
Each case that I examined carefully led me to the same conclusion: highly
selective and idiosyncratic use of data; no scientific case whatsoever."
I has been a little less than 20 years for me, Howard, but otherwise we
seem to have had much the same experiences.
Howard continued: "I am no longer interested in spending my time
debunking YEC (Young-Earth Creationism) claims for scientific support for
their position."
I understand. I guess I am, and Glenn is, and that most of the rest here
are also. The way I see it, if I have the expertise to do so, and I do
not oppose what I believe to be a serious heresy, I am not fulfilling
God's highest plans for my life. I may, of course, be wrong in either
thinking (1) I have any expertise or (2) that the heresy is all that
serious or (3) that God has better things for me to do.
In your case, having read and enjoyed your books, I suspect that reason
(3) may well apply.
Howard continued: "I remain interested in understanding the YEC community
as an interesting human phenomenon within the larger framework of
religious community dynamics. Two questions:
1) What do you (and other critics) think are the key concerns that lead
good and intelligent people to support a YEC position in spite of its
scientific shortcomings?
2) What do supporters of YEC see as its most important religious
function?"
(1) I agree with many others that some people, even some people with
scientific training, sometimes accept YECism because they have better
things to do with their time than studying the arguments closely and go
on the assumptions that "good Christians" don't falsify and "good
Christians" necessarily do good science and therefore "good Christians"
are to be trusted when they give a YEC argument. I know that in my case
it was some time before I began to recognize that those 3 assumptions, as
applied to Henry Morris and my (still friend) Duane Gish might need
examination. It was not until about 1988 that I probed deeply into the
Paluxy frauds and the magnetic field physics theories of Thomas Barnes
and saw them for what they were. It took some effort to do this -- it is
easier to do now with the internet of course. And my profession, with
IBM, was both intellectually and time consuming -- at day's end I had
better things to do than more study of YEC arguments.
We all only have 24 hour days -- allotting time to study projects, and to
tilting with windmills (G) has to be carefully rationed. And so "good and
intelligent people" buy the YEC snake oil.
(2) YEC speakers are keen on "defending God." They are, as far as I know
without exception, searching for certainty (see John Casti's excellent
book by this title of about 8 years ago -- review on the ASA site and
also on my web site). They are all, without exception AFAIK,
fundamentalists.
They are something else. They are not interested in engaging in public
debate on this LISTSERV or on Compuserve's RELIGION FORUM. They are not
responsive to emails of invitation to do so -- indeed, they generally
don't respond at all. I had thought Joe Sebeny was going to be an
exception to this -- so far, I have not seen him appear here, nor
respond, even negatively, to my several emails to him and other AOSA
(Arizona Origins Science Association) members to do so.
AFAIK, YECs who are in academia, with the exception of those few listed
on ICR's monthly Acts & Facts letter, generally do not publicize that
fact. Who ARE those "600 members" of the Creation Research Society? I
once tried to find out -- I was told that even if I joined the society I
would not be given access to a membership list.
I have two YEC friends (besides Gish) that I respect. Neither "speaks" to
the subject, although in a church setting both will say that's what they
believe. Both are college trained highly intelligent individuals, one in
aeronautics, the other in computer science. Neither tries to reconcile
their YECism with science. They simply compartmentalize. And that is what
I think many Christians do, their Monday-Friday lives are unrelated to
Sunday and on Saturday they play.
I could never do that.
Burgy
www.burgy.50megs.com
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