I am going to use the discussion points found on RichardDawkins.net as the basis of this feature.
Calilasseia is the author of the post and deserves many rich accolades for assembling so much useful information in one spot. This constitutes an open thread of sorts, please leave your opinions and observations in the comment section.
Enjoy!
[11] The tiresome conflation of evolutionary theory with abiogenesis (with Big Bang side salad).
A favourite one, this, among the creationists who come here. Which always results in the critical thinkers going into petunias mode (read Douglas Adams in order to understand that reference). Since so many creationists are woefully ill-educated in this area, I shall now correct that deficit in their learning.
Evolutionary theory is a theory arising from biology, and its remit consists of explaining the observed diversity of the biosphere once living organisms exist. The origin of life is a separate question, and one which is covered by the theory of naturalistic abiogenesis, which is a theory arising from a different scientific discipline, namely organic chemistry. Learn this distinction before posting, otherwise you will simply be regarded as ignorant and ill-educated.
While we’re at it, evolutionary theory does not consider questions about the origin of Planet Earth itself, nor does it consider questions about the origin of the universe. The first of these questions is covered by planetary accretion theory, the second by cosmology, both of which arise from physics. As a consequence of learning this, if you subsequently erect the tiresome conflation of evolutionary theory with the Big Bang or the origin of the Earth, be prepared to be laughed at.




3 comments
August 15, 2010 at 11:13 am
John Baker
Smacking creationists is fun and sometimes necessary but ultimately futile. As a wiser person noted it’s like pig wrestling in a sty. You will get dirty and the pig will enjoy it.
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August 15, 2010 at 11:24 am
The Arbourist
I agree. Arguing with the faithful is not particularly worthwhile.
The reasoning behind these posts is that while arguing with the faithful is futile, even counterproductive, deriding and showing how inane religious belief is, is a important and useful endeavour. Religions cannot stand up to reasonable scrutiny and rational inquiry.
Eventually (one hopes) the religious, faced with the reality of the situation, will give up their bronze age mythology and join the rest of us in the 21st century.
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August 15, 2010 at 11:26 am
The Sunday Creationist Smackdown Part - X | Γονείς σε Δράση
[…] post by The Arbourist var addthis_language = 'en'; Filed under Uncategorized ← Is An International […]
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