Re: [asa] YEC and ID arguments

Greg,

You wrote:

> I have read vast amounts of YEC and ID literature of all sorts. As I
unravelled any scientific argument in them (had to be geology as that is
my field) I
found that they were ALWAYS marked by inaccuracies..." - Michael Roberts <
    
> 'They,' as the quote makes clear, refers only to YEC or ID arguments in
geology (with absolutist language any argument, ALWAYS to boot!). Wouldn't
it be nice if YEC or ID had to do only with geology...or with natural
science only, for that matter? As if it/they had nothing to do information
theory or psychology. <

Just a side observation that came to me as I read your post that may or
may not be relevant to your ideas ...

When I was in High School, I became convinced by the YEC arguments given
in the book "Scientific Creationism". When I went to college and began to
study geology I soon saw that the YEC geology arguments were flawed. But
I still found the YEC astronomy, biology, mathematical, and theological
arguments fairly convincing. Then I read Howard Van Til's "The Fourth
Day" and saw how the YEC astronomy arguments were flawed. Over the years
as I've read, talked with, or listened to experts in each of these fields
I've come to see flaws in YEC arguments for each discipline.

I've also noted an interesting pattern on this list and in other forums.
Many people on this list see the flaws in YEC and ID arguments within
their own scientific (or theological) specialty but are worried about or
even convinced by the YEC or ID arguments from fields outside of their
expertise. How much more difficult is it for the average lay person, not
intimately familiar with any of the different sciences, to judge the
quality of these arguments?

Steve
[Disclaimer: Opinions herein are my own and are not to be attributed to my
employer.]
_____________
 Steven M. Smith, Geologist, U.S. Geological Survey
 Box 25046, M.S. 973, DFC, Denver, CO 80225
 Office: (303)236-1192, Fax: (303)236-3200
 Email: smsmith@usgs.gov
 -USGS Nat'l Geochem. Database NURE HSSR Web Site-
  http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/1997/ofr-97-0492/

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Received on Fri Oct 20 11:53:20 2006