Comment on Debate between Stephen Meyer and Charles Marshall by Richard Gates.
Thank you for an intelligent, fact-studded, resume of the debate. I didn’t understand everything, but I suspect few readers will !
Let’s keep raising the issues, keep defending truth as we perceive it. If there is a God, He will aid the arguments to reach willing, investigative, minds, and there will be positive, eternal results.
Like Plato argued, surely this life isn’t all there is to expect. There must be something beyond.
Richard Gates
Table of Contents
Recent Comments by Richard Gates
Dr. Ariel Roth’s Creation Lectures for Teachers
I’m delighted that Dr. Roth, as I would expect, is presenting a scientific perspective on fiat creation.
Too often in secular circles the belief prevails that special creationists are “ignorant and uninformed”.
A cogent, alternative, yet soundly scientific, explanation of available data is rarely heard. Young people desperately need to be exposed to this.
Pastor Richard Gates, RN
(Retired GC Mission Aviation Bolivia/Peru)
Michigan Conference vs. LSU – Right Wing Politics or Truth in Advertising?
Dr. Pitman, I support your contention that Adventist members expect to get what they are paying for.
Unfortunately, “bait and switch” has a long business history. Christian education, by its very definition, shouldn’t use such secular values to “sell” its product.
I almost broke a lifelong practice of “listener’s silence” while visiting a large church in Southern California some years ago when several of my sons were studying medicine there.
An ordained Adventist clergyman preached for about 40 minutes and encouraged us to look elsewhere (outside of Adventism) for spiritual satisfaction, if appropriate.
He clearly said Adventism requires 1/10 of one’s income and 1/7 of one’s time, which may not be satisfactory.
I held my tongue in that august body, but never have forgotten the trauma I experienced.
The Church pays alot for the teaching of truth in its many educational institutions.
They deserve to get what they pay for.
Pastor Richard Gates, RN
(Retired GC Mission Aviation Bolivia/Peru
The Basis of Biblical Credibility
I’ve been watching closely for rational arguments but distressed to see an abundant psychological element.
With such a claimed mass of scientific evidence for organic evolution, it ought to be easy to show an opponent his error.
If there is abundant evidence against a position, it should be made available.
Avondale College Arguing in Favor of Darwinian Evolution?
I have read thoughtfully and with considerable understanding the main arguments on both sides of the dialogue to this point. It appears to me that a great deal of bias, butressed by assertions, is involved.
Allow me to quote James M. Tour, said to be one of the ten most cited chemists in the world.
“I will tell you as a scientist and a synthetic chemist: If anybody should be able to understand evolution, it is me. because I make molecules for a living…I mean, ab initio, I make molecules…Still I don’t understand evolution.”
“Let me tell you what goes on in the back rooms of science–with National Academy members, with Nobel Prize winners. I have sat with them and when I get them alone, not in public–beause it’s a scary thing, if you say what I just said–I say, “Do you understand all of this, where all of this came from, and how this happens?” Every time that I have sat with people who are synthetic chemists, who undestand this, they go “Uh-uh, Nope”.
“I’ve sat with National Academy members with Noel Prize winners…Sometimes I will say, “Do you understand this?” And if they’re afraid to say “yes”, they say nothing. They just stare at me… But you can’t wave by and say, “this enzyme does that.” You’ve got to get down in the details of where molecules are built. So I sincrely want to know, I would like to believe it, but I just can’t.”
“I was in Israel not too long ago, talking with a bio-engineer, and (he was) describing to me the ear, and he was studying the different changes in the modulus of the ear, and I said, “How does this come about?” And he says “Oh, Jim, you know, we all believe in evolution, but we have no idea how it happened”.
A man’s mind changed against his will….
Dr. Richard Lenski’s “Unicorns”
This is precisely the kind of information that one needs to evaluate scientific lab experiments.
It is impressive to read reports, even in reputable science journals, that describe and often interpret experiments in a way which almost invariably reflects the bias of the reporter. However someone knowledgeable in the discipline is always needed to take a closer look at the issues, as has happened in this case.
This is the kind of “peer review” that serves truth.
Thank you for respecting the reader’s intelligence!