Help! need help debating an evolutionist!

AV1611VET said:

And I'm sure you'll be glad to provide all that evidence, along with its interpretation --- won't you?

How about you show me some evidence --- starting here: 1?

(Please --- )

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Surprise surprise... there's no evidence to prove you're right about something.

AV1611VET said:

And I'm sure you'll be glad to provide all that evidence, along with its interpretation --- won't you?

How about you show me some evidence --- starting here:
(Please --- )

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No wiseguy, I'll give you nothing. I'm not a scientist and I don't know what I believe. I just know that when NOVA comes on TV I don't immediately dismiss what they are talking about because it doesn't fit nicely into our Theology.

I am beginning to research the matter—I am more comfortable with people who are humble about their opinions, not those who claim to be right.

Cabal said:

Well, if you haven't squared it with their mother first, best to do that I guess - but if you don't mind me saying, if it's something you two can come to an agreement on it could be a great way of demonstrating to your children that it's possible to agree to disagree over comparatively minor* things like this.

* It would also be a great demonstration that one can disagree over the smaller differences without compromising on the bigger ones - when I call this evolution/creation thing a minor thing, I'm not meaning to trivialise your situation, what I mean is that compared to the more basic tenets and more important tenets of faith, like the crucifixion, resurrection, etc. one's choice of preferred creation mechanism is really quite unimportant by comparison.

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That sounds like reasonable and good advise. And that is why I haven't made an issue out of it. Thank you.

Split Rock said:

How old are your kids? One thing you can do if give them some stuff to read about what evolution really is. One book I recommend is "Science, Evolution and Creationism," 2008, National Academy of Sciences. You can buy it in many bookstores, and also online at the NAS website. It is inexpensive, short (70 pages), to the point, and written for laymen, not scientists.

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Thank you, that sounds like a good idea.

Space Cadet said:

Because their mother still believes in the literal young earth creation. I don't want to cause confusion, but I want them to know that they can look at the evidence and not be afraid to draw their own conclusions.

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I'd be really worried about their mother's reputation, and the way she sees the children trust her guidance.

The risk here is if the children find their mother has been very wrong about something big they may not trust her and make some serious mistakes like get pregnant or in prison.

If you look around I'm sure you will see that religious belief even by the most religious people is rarely regarded as being as important as family, so while YEC is pretty crazy, it isn't worth risking a serious family problem.

Space Cadet said:

I am in a tough spot. I have been in a very conservative church for a long time and I just went along with everything, but now I see no reason to disregard scientific evidence—and I don't know how to handle it with my kids. Yes, I know all about creation scientists' evidence, but come on, let's be real. What are we afraid of? It doesn't mean the end of our faith to think that God could have had an less literal way of creating life.

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I don't have kids of my own, so this is probably easier said than done but if you have an open and trusting relationship with your wife, I would suggest that you guys first talk about this. I would also recommend answering as honestly as possible to your kids' questions and simply telling them what you believe and what your doubts and thoughts are. Let them make their own decision but don't lie to them or hide information.

For instance, despite my father being a deist and my mother a Roman Catholic, neither pushed their beliefs, I went through my First Communion and at 16, I started my path to being an atheist my brother has remained a Catholic. So, despite our varied and colorful upbringing, my brother and I chose our paths without pressure or being pushed in one direction or another.

sandwiches said:

I don't have kids of my own, so this is probably easier said than done but if you have an open and trusting relationship with your wife, I would suggest that you guys first talk about this. I would also recommend answering as honestly as possible to your kids' questions and simply telling them what you believe and what your doubts and thoughts are. Let them make their own decision but don't lie to them or hide information.
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Yes, it is important to get the mother on board before a course change like this. The children will take it in their stride if they are over 10 or so, and will hardly notice it if they are under 6 I'd guess, the years in between could be a problem, might be best to wait if they are in between.

I like the point about honesty and if you do have your children's best interests in mind they will tend to continue paying attention to what you say. YEC can be regarded as a complex issue so it is understandable that someone makes a mistake about it.

It was easy for me, I dropped YEC before my first child,

cheers, MorkandMindy