Sticky Proposal: Arguments NOT to make

[Apollo Rhetor]

Hi,

I'd like to propose this as a sticky thread detailing arguments YEC's should avoid, statements not to use, and attitudes to follow. Many of you probably are aware of AiG's list:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/dont_use.asp

I'd like to add or reinforce the following:
* Don't accuse Darwinists of being liars - you shouldn't do this unless you are able to back it up with solid evidence. Lying is something you do intentionally. Like most people who believe something you don't, they have reasons and are almost always convinced of it. In these cases they are not lying. Do you think they are someone who deliberately lies for their own personal advancement? If you do, and you have no proof, that is slander. Make sure you're right
* Don't call theistic evolutionists non-Christians - our faith is in Jesus Christ, by trusting in Him and His promises we are saved. If their belief in Darwinism has destroyed any core doctrines, then answer them on that point. If they see that their belief in Darwinism has caused them to believe something wrong and faith destroying, then fine. But you, just like everyone else in the world, holds at least one incorrect view of God. Does that cause you to lose your salvation? Perhaps Darwinism can lead to a loss of faith - but it doesn't necessarily. You should not accuse others of not being Christians unless you are absolutely certain of your argument.
* Treat them with respect and courtesy - Sure, we get mocked time and time again by Darwinists. But not all of them are like that. I've found many times that I've been mocked, if I point out the mockery and respond respectfully, then more often than not they apologise and return the courtesy. Not always - and at those times, simply refuse to debate. No need to do the same, it just gives us a bad name.

And I'd like to make sure we're all aware of this one. I don't know any Creationist who says this, but I hear it again and again when I talk with Darwinists:
* Species do not change - this is absolutely false. The truth is, species change, and new species arise. For more info, see here: http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/speciation.asp

If anyone else has anything useful to add to this thread, please do. I just don't like to see a bad name spread by us amongst others. We should not give others cause to revile us, especially those who are our brothers and sisters in Christ.

 

[Apollo Rhetor]

I forgot to add - I don't know if this is a problem in this forum or not, since I haven't been reading the threads. I'm responding to something someone else claimed. If it doesn't happen here, then all is well At least this thread can help nip it in the bud if others start here.

 

[MatthewDiscipleofGod]

* Species do not change - this is absolutely false. The truth is, species change, and new species arise. For more info, see here: http://www.answersingenesis.org/home/area/faq/speciation.asp

Remember though that all because scientists define an animal as a new species that it doesn't mean it's a different kind of animal or that it has all new information not encoded in it's original ancestor.

 

[MatthewDiscipleofGod]

Only thing I can think of adding to the list that AIG doesn't already list and that you have not listed would be don't try to hard to prove dinosaurs are alive today. This is probably one of the arguments that Kent Hovind uses that bothers me the most. He tries to say Lock Ness is probably a dinosaur even though some pictures have been proven frauds and it's very possible there never was a creature. Also people try to say there are [size=-1]Terradactiles[/size] in Papua New [size=-1]Guinea[/size]. I was there on a 2 weeks mission trip and can tell you there almost certainly is not. That natives there have many stories about creatures that don't exist so why give them so much credit when they say they saw a dinosaur? Also there are large bats that come out at night so even a missionary may think he say some flying dinosaur but there would be little credit to that. I'm not saying it's not impossible for dinosaurs to be alive today, just look at the coelacanth fish for an example! Thing is, just like with the coelacanth fish if we find a T-Rex it won't change evolutionists beliefs about evolution.