Re: [asa] Advice for conversing with YECs

[asa] Advice for conversing with YECsDennis,
 I'm a couple of hundred notes behind and not catching up very fast. I see this is a prolific thread and I hope somewhere there's a good answer. I just finished two lengthy email dialogs with YEC's, one a prominent YEC author and another a senior in high school. Both unfortunately ended in failure where the criterion for success/failure is not convincing anyone to change their mind but being able to converse in a civil manner and agreeing to disagree. I do not know any formula for success--a necessary ingredient does seem to be a willingness to learn and understand as opposed to defending a position.

In my own transition from YEC to whatever it is I believe today, I can't pinpoint a single dramatic argument that turned me around. A major factor was simply getting to know and respect Christians in science who weren't YEC, mainly Wheaton faculty. I had been taught to think non-YEC scientists were duped compromisers. But getting to know them personally made all the difference. (ok, I confess, it also helped greatly that one of them was not just an ASA member but the father of the woman I was dating and later married!!) Studying physics and going to grad school just gave me the tools and methods to understand and analyze the claims myself.

Randy

Dennis wrote:

  I seem to be something of a lightning rod for YECs in my local church sphere. At present I am discussing these issues with a gentleman from my congregation, but I am not making much progress in having him try to understand my point of view. We can't even get past the age-of-the-earth issue. He is not interested in looking at any evidence, either.

  I am interested in what advice folks might have - I am especially interested in hearing from those of you who used to be YECs but now accept an old earth. What was useful to you as you made the transition?

  Thanks, all.

  Dennis

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Received on Sun Nov 2 20:49:06 2008