Re: Ken Miller talk at Case Western

David Opderbeck wrote:

> /> Ken plays more fairly than anyone from the ID or YEC camp./
>
> From what I've seen, I disagree. I've certainly observed that the YEC
> camp doesn't play fair. I haven't observed it as much from the ID
> camp, but I wouldn't doubt it. But neither does Miller play fair from
> the written and televised debates I've seen. It's become a political
> question, and like any politics, it's riddled with bad arguments and
> sleight of hand on both sides, IMHO.
>
> /> Also you should know by now that no amount of evidence will
> persuade a YEC or ID to change their mind./
>
> This is neither fair nor true. I recall reading something written by
> a prominent ASA member who abandoned YEC years ago. I've had the
> experience of migrating away from YEC myself, and though I was pretty
> convinced by ID in the past, my view of it continues to evolve. And,
> you could make the same statement about many folks who think
> evolutionary theory supports a materialistic worldview without any
> need for God. For all the ad hominems we might be tempted to make
> about commited YEC or ID folks, I'd think ASA members who oppose YEC
> and ID should remember that the statement of faith to which they
> subcribed when they joined the ASA is held in equal ridicule by many
> materialists.
>
Ditto to what Mr. Opderbeck observes. I saw him give a talk in Kansas
several years ago. My impression of his presentation then was that he
is a good and engaging speaker which is neither here nor there in regard
to actual content. I.D. was a lot younger, Behe still fresh and the
arguments not nearly so hammered to death as they are by now. And I'll
bet everybody left that meeting with pretty much the same position that
they brought -- just as we still do today.

    I recall a statement from among the ASA ranks on this forum not too
long ago that referred to at least some ASA members as having 'emerged'
from a YEC background. I add myself to that number. I'd wager there
are more than a few counter-examples around here to refute the 'no
amount of evidence' charge. Of course, it was probably meant as a
general observation of the entire camp rather than a rule -- but as far
as general observations go, I've been around a few decidedly 'NON-YEC'
sites and as far as paradigm ruts go, they certainly give the
much-despised YEC a run for that prize.

--merv

"A scientific truth does not triumph by convincing its opponents and
making them see the light, but rather because its opponents eventually
die and a new generation grows up that is familiar with it."
--Maxwell Planck
Received on Tue Jan 10 19:47:35 2006