(I posted this on the Science forum but I'll put it here too.)
On another thread I was chided for making the assertion to follow. But I do feel it is an appropriate observation.
When debating the YEC position, the supporters of YEC seem entrenched in their position despite the large volumes of scientific evidence to the contrary of the YEC position.
This is often put down (politely for the most part) to the dogmatic literal interpretation of the Bible and the YECists refusal to accept anything that goes against this.
BUT, I feel at least as important a reason is that the YEC people lack the wherewithal to actually understand basic science. I think the majority (and seemingly the totality on here) even if we were discussing science NOT connected to the creation/evolution debate these people could not handle the material.
All people are not capable of doing all things. I have always been good at math/science but cannot put up drywall to save my life. But I don't start lecturing the drywaller as to how he should do his job.
Asking questions and trying to learn is important. But arguing science with scientists when it is obvious you do not know even the basics of high school physics/chemistry/biology is futile. You are not going to be taken seriously on advanced topics when the fundamentals escape you.
And a large percentage of people, no matter how much you try to drill the science into them are just not going to get it. To them it's a foreign language and shall forever remain off limits.
When we were in school there was always the kids who let's face it were as dumb as a bag of hammers. These days that is politically incorrect and considered elitist to point it out but it doesn't change the fact it is true. Remember the people who as soon as a number was represented by the letter x just never ever got it. And they never shall.
Unfortunately the ardent YEC proponents on here seem in this category (or are very young.) The inane arguments I see against thermodynamics, relativity, cosmology, biology and geology show a complete lack of the basic intelligence to handle the concepts.
I don't put much credence in someones arguments against say the Big Bang when their method of refutation involves basic physics that it is plain they have not even understood that when applied to an everyday physical phenomena.
I am sure I shall be considered a pompous elitist for saying this (ivory towers and all that) BUT it does need to be said because sadly it is true.
PS - I know this post achieves nothing and contributes even less.
On another thread I was chided for making the assertion to follow. But I do feel it is an appropriate observation.
When debating the YEC position, the supporters of YEC seem entrenched in their position despite the large volumes of scientific evidence to the contrary of the YEC position.
This is often put down (politely for the most part) to the dogmatic literal interpretation of the Bible and the YECists refusal to accept anything that goes against this.
BUT, I feel at least as important a reason is that the YEC people lack the wherewithal to actually understand basic science. I think the majority (and seemingly the totality on here) even if we were discussing science NOT connected to the creation/evolution debate these people could not handle the material.
All people are not capable of doing all things. I have always been good at math/science but cannot put up drywall to save my life. But I don't start lecturing the drywaller as to how he should do his job.
Asking questions and trying to learn is important. But arguing science with scientists when it is obvious you do not know even the basics of high school physics/chemistry/biology is futile. You are not going to be taken seriously on advanced topics when the fundamentals escape you.
And a large percentage of people, no matter how much you try to drill the science into them are just not going to get it. To them it's a foreign language and shall forever remain off limits.
When we were in school there was always the kids who let's face it were as dumb as a bag of hammers. These days that is politically incorrect and considered elitist to point it out but it doesn't change the fact it is true. Remember the people who as soon as a number was represented by the letter x just never ever got it. And they never shall.
Unfortunately the ardent YEC proponents on here seem in this category (or are very young.) The inane arguments I see against thermodynamics, relativity, cosmology, biology and geology show a complete lack of the basic intelligence to handle the concepts.
I don't put much credence in someones arguments against say the Big Bang when their method of refutation involves basic physics that it is plain they have not even understood that when applied to an everyday physical phenomena.
I am sure I shall be considered a pompous elitist for saying this (ivory towers and all that) BUT it does need to be said because sadly it is true.
PS - I know this post achieves nothing and contributes even less.
