Keith Devens .com

Whatever one's beliefs concerning the origins of life on this planet, if you object to the idea that life originated and changed over time without the participation of some Intelligence, don't use the rhetoric provided by those who also object as your guide to what the theory of evolution actually says. My recommendation to you is that you go to the Talk.Origins Archive and do some reading, particularly their FAQs. There is way too much in the way of misunderstanding and mis-statement coming from those who object to evolution as to what the theory actually says. If I had a nickel for every time the "Evolution violates the 2nd law of thermodynamics!" (false) idea popped up again, I'd have many, many nickels.

All that said, I'd say that if it weren't for the conflict that some see between their religious beliefs and the ideas associated with modern evolutionary theory, there would be no more "controversy" concerning evolution than there is concerning quantum mechanics or relativity. From the viewpoint of the scientific community, there is no serious debate as to the validity of evolutionary theory, but only quibbles as to the mechanisms by which evolution happens. The idea that "Evolution is wrong" is no better supported than the idea that "Quantum Mechanics is wrong" or "Relativity is wrong." You can find people who assert the latter two, but their dissent does not constitute credible doubt. In my opinion, the "Evolution is wrong" adherents are similarly lacking in support for their position.

Mike:

The Talk.Origins site is terrible, yet people keep recommending it. For example, their speciation article you linked in another thread doesn't address my objections to evolution (see The Creationist Orchard, as well as my response to you on that thread). Also, it's laughable that you compare the theory of evolution to the theories of relativity and quantum mechanics. As for "credible" doubters of evolution, I'll direct you to this list of hundreds of scientists who "dissent" from Darwinism.

I don't think discussing this topic with you would be a worthwhile endeavor. I doubt anything I could say would change your mind in any way, and what I've seen of your arguments against evolution / for creationism are those that I examined and discarded long ago. I think it best we just agree to disagree.

You have an amazing website running, and I look forward to exploring it in more detail. Nice work!

I don't think discussing this topic with you would be a worthwhile endeavor.

Probably not, as you don't seem to be an honest debater. You didn't once even glance at the thread that I linked to many times indicating that it contained my arguments against evolution (at least until after you left this comment). Nor did you even click on any of the links in my above comment on this thread that responded to your arguments (again, until after you left this most recent comment). So, you've asked me questions, I've responded, and you haven't bothered to look at the answers.

what I've seen of your arguments against evolution / for creationism are those that I examined and discarded long ago.

You have the hubris to claim that my arguments, which you haven't looked at, are the same as the ones you've discarded long ago, while you imply that I'm the one who's not open to your arguments! Unbelievable. In fact, you never even visited the post I linked where I defined my terms regarding evolution, nor the one where I correct your misconception about my beliefs about speciation, so I don't think you even understand what I believe about evolution. But, think what you want.

For the record (to make it easy to find), here are the other two posts you commented on:
http://keithdevens.com/weblog/archive/2004/Dec/31/Sensing.evolution.ID
http://keithdevens.com/weblog/archive/2004/Dec/27/Hixie.evolution

Hmmm... not very gracious, or even polite. Unfortunate.

I don't know what you expected, having come here and wasted my time asking questions you don't care about the answers to, only to then insult me after I spend my time answering them. You want me to say thank you?

It is clear to me that we view reality in very different ways... from my perspective, I didn't waste your time, I cared about your answers, I didn't get answers to most of the questions I asked, and I didn't insult you.

In addition, I wasn't necessarily expecting an answer from you (which, in hindsight, was probably unreasonable of me), so much as starting conversations with other readers of your blog.

But, really, if you feel interacting with me is a waste of your time, please feel free to not do so. I neither require nor, at this point, desire that you read my posts. Good day...

I cared about your answers, I didn't get answers to most of the questions I asked

You didn't read my responses.